Senior Automation Engineer

About This Role:

As a Sr Automation Engineer, you will serve as the senior technical authority for Programmable Logic Control (PLC), Distributed Control System (DCS), and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) support within our fully integrated and validated biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Athlone. Your extensive expertise in systems integration and validation will be pivotal to ensuring the seamless operation of Facilities, Utilities, and Manufacturing automation systems. You'll own the DCS environment, driving integration with MES and historian systems to advance our paperless manufacturing strategy. By coordinating technical activities across teams and projects, you'll ensure consistent application of our platform strategy and contribute to budget planning for automation systems. Your role is crucial in enabling our Review-by-Exception strategy and promoting innovation in shop-floor automation solutions.

What You’ll Do:

System ownership and operational support

Act as the technical owner for the Athlone (ATH) PLC/DCS/MES systems. Provide day-to-day operational support to Manufacturing, Facilities and Utilities.

Define a sustainable support model that delivers appropriate service levels while minimising interruptions to production.

Own the DCS environment, including equipment control and its integration with MES and historian systems. This supports the site's Review-by-Exception (RBE) and paperless manufacturing strategy.

Technical coordination and delivery

Coordinate technical activities for ATH PLC/DCS/MES contractor and system integrator resources. These activities support operations, site initiatives, capital projects and technology transfer.

Apply ISA-88, ISA-95 and the site's integrated recipe strategy consistently across projects.

Review PLC/DCS/MES deliverables against agreed technical and quality standards. Identify deficiencies and escalate issues for resolution.

Translate global automation strategies into practical, site-ready solutions for Athlone.

Quality, compliance and validation

Establish and apply rigorous quality standards across the PLC/DCS/MES delivery lifecycle, from concept through commissioning, validation and operation.

Provide technical direction for lifecycle documentation. This includes user requirements, functional and design specifications, functional tests, commissioning plans, traceability matrices, risk assessments and qualification/validation protocols.

Apply Biogen procedures for deviations, change control and validation. Assess proposed changes for technical impact, risk and compliance.

Provide technical leadership for investigations into process or equipment failures. Recommend and implement corrective changes.

Performance, improvement and knowledge sharing

Develop and maintain key performance indicators for ATH PLC/DCS/MES systems. Use them to identify continuous-improvement opportunities.

Develop standards, procedures and training materials. Transfer knowledge to Operations and Maintenance personnel.

Share technical knowledge and coach colleagues on specialist topics to build site capability.

Planning and budget

Provide technical input to ATH DCS/MES OPEX and CAPEX planning, and monitor expenditure against agreed budgets.

Partner with Program and Project Management to align resources so projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.

Influence and leadership

Influence stakeholders to adopt innovative shop-floor automation solutions.

Resolve significant technical obstacles affecting plant operations. Escalate through the appropriate management channels when needed.

Lead technical coordination forums with site and global stakeholders, contractors and system integrators. Use them to align decisions, remove delivery constraints and progress agreed outcomes.

Identify and escalate safety, quality or compliance concerns through site procedures.

Maintain high ethical standards and strict confidentiality of sensitive information.

Who You Are:

You are a forward-thinking individual with a strong technical acumen and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Your proactive nature and resourcefulness enable you to manage competing priorities effectively. You thrive in challenging situations, making sound decisions under pressure while providing guidance. Your strong communication and organizational skills, coupled with your ability to influence and negotiate, make you an invaluable asset to cross-functional teams. With a commitment to excellence, you consistently demonstrate the core elements valued by our organization.

Required Skills:

B.S. or M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.

Experience as a PLC/DCS/MES Engineer in delivering DCS and/or MES requirements.

Experience with PI Historian, Thin Manager and WIN911 systems.

Experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry in a manufacturing operational support role.

Demonstrated ability to take ownership and effectively collaborate across teams.

Strong skills in influencing stakeholders, sharing expertise, and delivering process improvements and projects.

Preferred Skills:

Understanding of SCADA/DCS/MES hardware and IT/OT infrastructure.

Experience in regulated environments with knowledge of cGMP, OSHA and EPA requirements.

Experience with Siemens and Rockwell PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley/Studio 5000 and TIA.

Experience with MES recipe and batch management in a recipe-driven plant, applying ISA-88 and ISA-95.

Knowledge of data integrity principles (ALCOA+), 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11 and GAMP 5 for risk-based computer system validation.

Job Level: Management

Why Biogen?

We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.

At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired.  Read on  to learn more about Biogen.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.