Senior Automation Engineer (DeltaV & Syncade)

Job Description
Position Summary

Horizon Controls Group is seeking an experienced Senior Automation Engineer with strong hands-on expertise in both Emerson DeltaV and Werum PAS-X Syncade systems to support and enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing operations in Limerick, Ireland.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in the design, implementation, validation, optimization, and lifecycle management of automation and MES platforms supporting GMP-regulated production environments. This role requires deep technical knowledge of process control systems, manufacturing execution systems, integration architecture, and pharmaceutical compliance standards.

This position is ideal for a professional who has successfully delivered automation and digital manufacturing projects within biotech or pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and possesses strong collaboration skills across engineering, operations, quality, validation, and IT teams.

Key Responsibilities

DeltaV Automation Responsibilities

• Design, configure, implement, and maintain Emerson DeltaVDCS/PCS systems for pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Develop and modify:
• Control modules
• Equipment modules
• Batch recipes
• Phases and operations
• Alarms and interlocks
• HMI graphics
• Support commissioning, startup, SAT, FAT, and qualificationactivities.
• Troubleshoot DeltaV hardware and software issues in manufacturingenvironments.
• Perform system upgrades, patches, migrations, and lifecyclemanagement activities.
• Configure and maintain:
• DeltaV Batch
• DeltaV ContinuousHistorian
• DeltaV Live
• OPC interfaces
• SIS/ESD integrations whereapplicable
• Ensure high system availability and cybersecurity compliance.
• Participate in root cause investigations and CAPA implementationfor automation-related deviations.

Syncade MES Responsibilities

• Configure and support Werum PAS-X Syncade MES applicationswithin GMP production operations.
• Develop and maintain:
• Electronic Batch Records(EBR)
• Workflows
• Material managementprocesses
• Weigh & dispensesolutions
• Equipment tracking
• Recipe execution flows
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to optimizeMES-driven workflows.
• Integrate Syncade with:
• DeltaV
• SAP/ERP systems
• LIMS
• Historians and dataplatforms
• Support electronic review-by-exception initiatives.
• Drive digital manufacturing and paperless manufacturingtransformation programs.
• Troubleshoot MES execution issues and support manufacturingoperations during production campaigns.

System Integration Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain integrations between DeltaV and Syncadeplatforms.
• Support ISA-88 and ISA-95 aligned automation architectures.
• Collaborate with IT/OT teams on:
• Network architecture
• Data integrity
• Cybersecurity
• System interoperability
• Ensure compliant data flow between automation layers and enterprisesystems.
• Support serialisation, track-and-trace, and digital manufacturinginitiatives where applicable.

Validation & Compliance

• Ensure systems comply with:
• GMP/GxP requirements
• FDA 21 CFR Part 11
• Annex 11
• Data Integrity standards
• Author and review:
• URS
• FS/DS
• IQ/OQ/PQ protocols
• Risk assessments
• Traceability matrices
• SOPs
• Participate in audits and regulatory inspections.
• Maintain validated state of automation and MES systems.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in:
• Automation Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Biotechnology Engineering
• Other related technicaldiscipline

Mandatory Technical Experience

DeltaV (Required)

• Minimum 5+ years of hands-on Emerson DeltaV experience.
• Strong experience with:
• DeltaV Batch
• Recipe configuration
• Control strategies
• Commissioning andtroubleshooting
• System administration
• Experience in GMP pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturingenvironments.

Syncade MES (Required)

• Minimum 3+ years of hands-on Syncade MES experience.
• Experience configuring and supporting:
• Electronic Batch Records
• Workflow management
• Manufacturing executionprocesses
• Recipe execution
• Strong MES integration experience with DeltaV.

Candidates must possess strong practical experience in BOTH DeltaV and Syncade. Experience in only one platform will not meet the requirements for this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in sterile, biologics, API, or fill-finish manufacturingenvironments.
• Knowledge of:
• ISA-88
• ISA-95
• OPC/OPC UA
• SQL databases
• Historian systems
• Industrial networking
• Experience with:
• Emerson Lifecycle Services
• PAS-X integrations
• SAP integration
• Serialization systems
• Digital transformationprojects
• Exposure to cloud manufacturing analytics platforms isadvantageous.
• PMP, DeltaV, or MES certifications are a plus.