Senior Engineer; Controls System Engineer

Senior Controls Systems Engineer – Maidstone, Kent

Sekisui Diagnostics is seeking a Senior Controls Systems Engineer to join our team in Maidstone, Kent. The role involves designing, delivering, and managing GMP‑compliant control systems. The successful candidate will act as a technical lead for process control issues related to PLC, environmental monitoring, SCADA and HMI systems, and will lead factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).

• Previous experience in a GMP environment with a strong understanding of validation and data integrity.
• Advanced PLC/SCADA expertise (e.g., Allen Bradley, Siemens).
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency reading piping and instrumentation diagram (P&) drawings/specifications and challenging vendor approaches.

• Automation Strategy & System Design.
• Define and approve system architectures and standards.
• Ensure full traceability from URS → FDS → SDS → code.
• Lead PLC/SCADA development and configuration activities.
• Review and approve software design and implementation.
• Ensure robust alarm management, interlocks, and fail‑safe design.
• Commissioning, Qualification & Validation leadership.
• Define validation approach in collaboration with QA/Validation.
• Ensure systems meet regulatory requirements and validation standards.
• GMP Compliance & Data Integrity ownership.
• Maintain systems in a validated state.
• Lead audit readiness and interface with regulators/vendors.
• Lead Engineering Change Control for automation systems.
• Perform impact assessments for complex system changes.
• Ensure lifecycle management of automation assets.
• Provide technical guidance to engineers and technicians.
• Support development of site automation capability.
• Act as SME for control systems across the site.
• Lead automation work streams in capital projects.
• Manage system integrators and vendors.
• Interface with senior stakeholders across Engineering, QA, and Operations.
• Define and drive automation improvement initiatives.
• Support site digitalisation and integration strategies (EMS, historians, etc.).
• Improve system performance, reliability, and compliance.
• Lead or participate in safety reviews, FMEAs, HAZOPS, or similar.
• Maintain records for regulatory purposes in line with current legislation, including cGMP where required.
• Support vendor cost negotiations and challenge cost increases or scope changes.
• Ensure the maintenance team is educated on new equipment and involved in successful handover of projects.
• Facilitate continuous improvement workshops involving cross‑sectional teams.
• Support regulatory and customer audits.

Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Equal opportunities As an equal‑opportunity employer, SEKISUI Diagnostics is committed to a diverse workforce. Employment decisions will be made without discrimination based on race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other protected characteristics as required by applicable law.