Senior Automation Engineer (Packaging)

Senior Automation Engineer Location: Haarlem, The Netherlands Employment Type: Full-Time 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 Factory.

Talk 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 To apply call George on 0871897038 or alternatively email your CV to GMc.

Glone@horizon-controls.com