Automation Engineer

About the job

Salary Range:

€61,300.00 - €113,900.00

Job Description Summary

Location: Puurs, Belgium #LI-Hybrid
Internal job title: Automation Engineer
This role is based in Belgium. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.
About the Role:
As an Automation Engineer in Puurs, you will play a key role in supporting a highly automated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment that delivers medicines to patients worldwide. You will contribute to investment and digitalization projects, helping deliver them on time and within budget, while ensuring reliable and high-performing production systems. Working across technologies such as PLC, SCADA/HMI, MES, data historians and OT infrastructure, you will support the full automation system lifecycle, from daily troubleshooting and continuous improvement to hardware and software upgrades, patching, equipment integration and commissioning. This role offers broad technical exposure, opportunities to grow your expertise and the chance to make a direct impact on production reliability, product quality and patient supply.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Executing and following up on automation projects across the entire production site
• Managing various automation systems (production, buildings, and utilities) and contributing to automation planning
• Developing projects, including: preparing technical specifications, creating detailed project plans, performing risk analyses and ensuring proper documentation, coordinating and supervising installation and software development in line with specifications, transferring completed projects to end users (production and maintenance);
• Collaborating closely with different stakeholders (production, engineering, IT)
• Delivering projects for operational validation with complete documentation, managing project documentation and software backups (software archive)
• Supporting validation activities
• Troubleshooting automation system issues (during and outside office hours)
• Organizing internal training sessions and supporting onboarding of new automation colleagues
• Aligning and maintaining up-to-date automation procedures
• Recommending improvements and upgrades to existing equipment to enhance efficiency

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical field (e.g., Industrial Engineering with specialization in automation, IT, Electromechanics, etc.)
• 6+ years’ experience in automation within an industrial environment
• Strong interest and experience in PLC development (Schneider, Siemens), HMI, SCADA systems (iFix), and databases
• Analytical and detail-oriented, with strong communication skills and a team-oriented mindset, with a strong passion for learning new technologies
• Excellent knowledge of Dutch and English, both spoken and written

Desirable requirements:

• Project management skills
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry

Please note this role will require on call support on a rotational basis.

​Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Why Novartis?
Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to learn more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network
Accessibility and accommodation:
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 61,300.00 EUR to 113,900.00 EUR

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Skills Desired

Business Continuity, Change Controls, Cost Management, Data Analytics and Digital (Inactive), Engineering Technical Expertise (Inactive), GDP Knowledge (Inactive), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HSE Knowledge (Inactive), Knowledge Of Relevant Tools And Systems (Inactive), Manufacturing Process (Production) (Inactive), Operational Excellence, Quality Compliance, Resilience and Risk Management (Inactive), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)