QSSR-AE-AUTOMATION ENGINEER

Job Title: Automation Engineer 
Department: Engineering & Maintenance
Direct Line Manager: Director, Engineering & Maintenance
Functional Line Manager: Director, Engineering & Maintenance
Period: January – December 2025


Purpose of the job

Engineering & Maintenance has a mandate to oversee the execution of local preventive maintenance and repair of processing equipment, clean & black utilities, laboratory equipment and facilities at the mRNA-based vaccine manufacturing site. Also, it handles projects, equipment/systems commissioning & qualification, process automation, and calibration in line with cGxP principles. 
The Automation Engineer is responsible for providing technical support at site in the field of Automation and Electrical Engineering. The person is responsible for coordinating Automation Engineering Planned Maintenance activities with internal resources or external Providers, programming PLCs for Siemens PCS7 hardware/software, configuring & installing Automation equipment (process controllers, VSDs, sensors, transmitters, flowmeters etc.), managing system and GxP upgrade projects, reviewing documents including detailed designs done by Vendors,  reviewing and approving GMP documentation that include but not limited to User Requirement Specifications (URS), Design Qualification (DQ), Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), Performance Qualification (PQ), Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), Site Acceptance Test (SAT) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in ZenQMS or other eQMS software. In addition to the above, Automation Engineer is responsible for executing qualification (DQ, FAT, IQ, OQ, PQ, SAT), interpreting installation blueprints, conducting deviation investigations and resolution, reporting Automation status and risks/issues for processes/systems, ensuring equipment/system start-up is completed in a safe and coordinated manner, resolving installation problems, generating, and maintaining Automation procedures among other duties.


Main responsibilities  

•    Leading the Instrumentation technicians at site maintaining discipline and a culture of teamwork. 
•    Actively carrying out the instrumentation and automation loop checks for the process control system for both GMP and non-GMP areas
•    Preparation of handover protocols for all commissioned automation systems
•    Actively carrying out recipe tests and qualifications for all process control systems including GMP and non-GMP processes
•    Work directly with the calibration engineer to carry out the necessary system calibrations 
•    Testing and Qualification of the Manufacturing Execution System and Data Historian
•    Providing technical support for all aspects of Automation troubleshooting and upgrades in all areas of the mRNA-based vaccines manufacturing site. 
•    Programming, hardware and software configuration of the DCS Siemens PCS 7 hardware and software; Siemens AS-400H CPU and all its periphery using Simatic PCS 7 V9.1 SP1.  
•    Participate in Electrical and Automation equipment installation, qualification, and commissioning in various buildings and areas.
•    Installing, programming, and configuring Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) and Soft Starters. 
•    Troubleshooting of VFDs, motion control, electrical and electronic cabinets. 
•    Programming and configuring individual process controllers and PID logic. 
•    Configuring and installing automation equipment that includes sensors, transmitters, flow meters, controllers etc. 
•    Closely coordinating with external vendors providing automation services
•    Performing RCA using scientific methods such as FMEA, FTA, Fishbone, Why-Why analysis and others on manufacturing deviations and anomalies associated with automation and software with a view to curb recurrence.  
•    Participating in Factory Acceptance Tests & Site Acceptance Tests for equipment.  
•    Participating in Risk Assessments on different site issues and in scheduled internal and regulated GMP inspections. 
•    Technical report writing. 
•    Any other duties as assigned by the Line Manager. 

Work Experience, Skills, and Abilities

Educational level

Degree/master’s in engineering majoring in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Industrial Automation Engineering, Biotechnology Engineering or Process Engineering.

Professional experiences/Knowledge
•    At least 3-5 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
•    Fluent in English Language. Ability to communicate in German is an added advantage.
•    High degree of process automation knowledge for basic and advanced technical process operations
•    Proficiency in design and interpretation of P&IDs, PFDs, FDS and other components of an automation framework using ISA standards
•    Proficiency in IEC 61131 PLC programming languages
•    Proficiency in Industrial communications and configurations
•    Hardware and network configuration of process control systems especially SIEMENS systems 
•    Proficiency in DCS configurations and installation, especially with Siemens PCS7 is necessary.
•    Excellent knowledge in setting up and configuration of IEDs like digital flow meters, VFDs, Valves
•    Incredibly good planning and organizational skills
•    Ability to work without supervision and to demonstrate job ownership.
•    Pronounced team and communication skills.
•    Analytical and concept-based thinking and acting
•    Strong industry network to equipment vendors etc.
•    Knowledge of database software; design software; development software; internet software; spreadsheet software and word processing software.
•    Advanced electronics skills with ability to read and accurately interpret schematic diagrams and technical specification documents.
•    Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task. 
•    Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.

Other requirements 

•    Vision (Near, Distance, Peripheral, Depth Perception) 
•    Sense of touch 
•    Ability to wear Personal Protective Clothing/Equipment (PPC/E) (Safety Glasses, Hard Hats, Safety Shoes, & Safety Harness) 
•    Ability to work at heights.

Note: The deadline for the application is no later than Friday, December 16th 2024. 
          Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted