Automation Lead - Engineering

Automation Lead - Engineering

Job Advert: Engineering Automation Lead

Location: Barnard Castle, County Durham, UK

Salary: Great compensation + Benefits

A global pharmaceutical leader is seeking an experienced Engineering Automation Lead to join its state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing site in Barnard Castle. This facility is central to producing life‑changing medicines and vaccines for worldwide distribution, operating with a strong commitment to quality, safety, innovation, and technological advancement.

As the organisation accelerates its smart manufacturing strategy, this role will play a key part in deploying cutting‑edge automation technologies—including robotics, digital systems, and AI—to enhance operational efficiency and support the development and delivery of complex pharmaceutical products.

Role Overview

The Engineering Automation Lead will provide strategic direction and hands‑on technical leadership across all site automation, instrumentation, and control engineering activities. This position combines day‑to‑day operational oversight with long‑term strategic planning in a highly regulated, GMP‑compliant environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a site‑wide automation strategy aligned with business and operational objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of automation engineers while supporting upskilling of maintenance technicians.
• Design, configure, and deploy automation systems including PLCs, SCADA, and DCS.
• Ensure full compliance with GMP, regulatory standards, and data integrity requirements.
• Deliver training programmes to strengthen automation capability across the site.
• Drive continuous improvement and integrate new digital, robotic, and automation technologies.
• Provide expert technical support to minimise downtime and optimise system performance.
• Serve as a subject matter expert during regulatory inspections and audits.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Automation, Control, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with Six Sigma/Lean methodologies within the pharmaceutical sector (Green/Black Belt desirable).
• Strong knowledge of ISA standards (S88, S95), automation architecture, instrumentation, P&IDs, HMI, MES, SCADA, PLCs, and Historians.
• Hands‑on experience with GAMP, CSV, cGMPs, and 21 CFR Part 11 in FDA‑regulated environments.
• Proven leadership experience with a history of building high‑performing teams and driving transformation.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Experience designing and programming firmware/software for automation applications.

Preferred Skills

• MEng/MSc in an engineering or scientific discipline.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical secondary processing.
• Knowledge of IT architecture, data warehousing, and virtualisation.
• Familiarity with OT cybersecurity.
• Awareness of EHS requirements for automated plant installations.
• Understanding of FDA PAT initiatives.
• Experience in automation support and maintenance for instrumentation and controls.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Industry

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

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