Lead Automation Engineer

Lead Automation Engineer R&D Profile + Working within the R&D group to develop automation on production systems for the Biopharmaceutical market + Lead automation development or improvement from an early phase, managing specification, design, industrialization, and transfer to manufacturing as part of a global multi-disciplinary product development team. + This role will focus on common standards for automation architecture and overall strategy in collaboration with hardware and software engineering. Essential Job Functions: + Interact with and support other departments and outsourced teams (such as supply chain, quality, logistics and product management) to facilitate handover and ensure all have required knowledge of products. + Be a resource for ongoing development projects by: - Developing new design concepts in alignment with industry standards - Transferring qualified design packages to engineering group for customer configuration - Analyzing and identifying strong vendors and partners - Leading prototype design, build, and testing - Authoring documentation for internal audience as well as end users - Providing ongoing expertise for technical problem solving post-launch + Collaborating with maintenance teams during development and assisting with generation of strong maintenance procedures. + Travel will vary according to project needs but may be up to 30% across multiple months. Yearly average of 20% or less. Travel will mainly include United States, Belgium, Germany and United Kingdom. Candidate must have capability to obtain entry into these countries given appropriate visa assistance. Minimum Qualifications: + Minimum degree or equivalent in a relevant Engineering field or Computer Science degree with relevant automation experience. + 5+ years experience in an industrial Automation Engineering or relevant Product Design role Position Competencies: + Demonstrated success in leadership including developing and executing project plans and reporting plans/results to management. + Proven track record of product development including management of outside contractors, automation architecture design, authorship of specifications, maintenance of appropriate documentation and ability to work within a global multi-disciplinary team + Language: Technical English fluency required Assets: - Experience working with PLC code (from any major PLC supplier) and GAP - Basic knowledge of one or more programming languages (C++, C#, WinCC, Python preferred) - Soft prototyping capability in CAD packages such as SolidWorks, ProE or similar - Familiarity with the biopharmaceutical industry and applicable security regulations for automated products such as 21CFR part 11 - Experience with developing products for use in GMP environments including a working knowledge of GAMP 5 development strategies - Familiarity with common communications protocols such as OPC-DA/UA and Modbus (serial and Ethernet) - Experience of software application life cycle management + Ability to read and/or communicate effectively in German/Dutch/French