Automation Engineer

An advanced R&D and manufacturing environment within a biotech & chemical engineering‑focused organisation is building out a next‑generation automation capability at its Slough facility. They are seeking an Automation Engineer to take ownership of complex control systems across a highly regulated GMP production environment.

This is a hands‑on technical role sitting at the core of process automation, supporting the design, build, validation, and optimisation of automated manufacturing systems used in high‑value life science production.

What they are working on

They operate in a highly regulated bioprocessing and pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, supporting the development and production of complex biological and chemical products. Automation sits at the heart of ensuring scalability, compliance, and product quality across R&D and production systems.

• Lead automation input into capital engineering and R&D facility projects
• Design, configure, and support process control systems across PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA platforms
• Develop and maintain automation solutions for GMP manufacturing environments
• Configure and support systems using Emerson Delta
  
  V (v11+) and Rockwell Control Logix / Factory Talk
• Produce and maintain technical documentation including URS, SDS, IQ, OQ, VSR
• Support batch control systems aligned with S88 / S95 standards
• Manage automation change control processes and validation activities (cGMP)
• Troubleshoot and lead root cause analysis on complex control system issues
• Support automation integration across process equipment and utilities (bioreactors, chromatography, filtration systems, CIP/SIP, autoclaves)
• Interface with building systems and industrial control networks (OPC, Profibus, Device Net, Foundation Fieldbus, HVAC, WFI systems)

• Strong background in automation engineering within regulated manufacturing (pharma / biotech / chemical)
• Hands‑on experience with:
• PLC systems (Rockwell Control Logix preferred)
• SCADA / HMI systems
• Experience in cGMP environments
• Working knowledge of:
• Batch control standards (S88 / S95)
• Validation frameworks (IQ/OQ/PQ, GAMP)
• Change control, CAPA, and nonconformance processes
• Ability to produce and interpret engineering and validation documentation
• Exposure to pharmaceutical or bioprocess unit operations (e.g. bioreactors, filtration, chromatography)
• Understanding of industrial communication protocols (OPC, Profibus, Device Net)

This is a rare opportunity to step into a core automation role within a high‑investment R&D manufacturing site, supporting cutting‑edge biotech and chemical production systems. The work directly impacts how new products are developed, scaled, and brought into regulated manufacturing environments.