Senior Automation Engineer (Packaging

Position: Senior Automation Engineer (Packaging)
Haarlem, Netherlands | Posted on 08/07/2026

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

Beckhoff

Omron

HMI & SCADA

Factory Talk View

Ignition

Other modern SCADA platforms

Profinet

Ethernet/IP

Modbus TCP

OPC UA

Profibus

Packaging Equipment Experience

Experience with automated packaging equipment such as:

Bottle filling and capping systems

Labelling equipment

Vision inspection systems

Serialization and aggregation systems

Case packers

Conveying systems

Robotic pick-and-place applications

Computer System Validation (CSV)

GMP / GAMP5

Data Integrity (ALCOA+)

Change Control and CAPA

FAT / SAT execution

MES integration

Continuous Improvement / Lean Manufacturing

Digital manufacturing initiatives

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