Senior Automation Engineer (Packaging)

Senior Automation Engineer

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to join a highly automated pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging facility in Haarlem. This is a hands-on technical role supporting the design, maintenance, optimisation, and implementation of automation systems across production and packaging operations.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience working with a variety of automation platforms and packaging equipment within a regulated manufacturing environment. This role focuses on discrete manufacturing and packaging automation; DeltaV experience is not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation systems supporting manufacturing and packaging operations.

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimise PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems to maximise equipment reliability and performance.

• Lead automation projects including system upgrades, equipment integration, commissioning, and lifecycle improvements.

• Support installation, FAT, SAT, commissioning, IQ/OQ, and validation activities for new and modified equipment.

• Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, Validation, and IT/OT teams to deliver automation solutions.

• Develop and maintain automation standards, documentation, and change control records.

• Ensure compliance with GMP, GAMP5, data integrity, and company engineering standards.

• Analyse equipment performance and implement improvements to increase OEE, reduce downtime, and improve operational efficiency.

• Support industrial cybersecurity initiatives for operational technology (OT) systems.

• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to maintenance and operations teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.

• Minimum of 7 years' experience in industrial automation.

• Proven experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, food, FMCG, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.

• Strong experience supporting automated packaging operations.

• Excellent troubleshooting skills across electrical, control, and automation systems.

• Experience managing automation projects from concept through commissioning.

Technical Skills

Candidates should have experience with several of the following technologies:

PLC Platforms

• Siemens (TIA Portal, S7)

• Rockwell Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000)

• Beckhoff

• Schneider Electric

• Omron

• Mitsubishi

HMI & SCADA

• Siemens WinCC

• FactoryTalk View

• Ignition

• Wonderware (AVEVA)

• Other modern SCADA platforms

Industrial Networks

• Profinet

• Ethernet/IP

• Modbus TCP

• OPC UA

• Profibus

Packaging Equipment Experience

Experience with automated packaging equipment such as:

• Cartoners

• Bottle filling and capping systems

• Labelling equipment

• Checkweighers

• Vision inspection systems

• Serialization and aggregation systems

• Case packers

• Palletisers

• Conveying systems

• Robotic pick-and-place applications

Desirable Experience

• Computer System Validation (CSV)

• GMP / GAMP5

• Data Integrity (ALCOA+)

• Change Control and CAPA

• FAT / SAT execution

• MES integration

• Industrial cybersecurity

• Continuous Improvement / Lean Manufacturing

• OEE improvement programs

• Digital manufacturing initiatives