Automation Engineer

Job Description

As an Automation Engineer, you will join our Durham team to support our activities within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

You will support the expansion of a sterile manufacturing facility, contributing to the delivery of automation systems across process equipment, cleanroom environments, and site infrastructure. Working as part of a multidisciplinary project team, you will play a key role in ensuring automation solutions are designed, integrated, tested, and commissioned in compliance with quality, regulatory, and data integrity requirements.

• Location: Durham
• On Site: Full-time on site
• Clearance: Eligibility to work in the UK required
• Experience Level: Mid to Senior Level

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop automation strategies aligned with site and digital standards
• Produce and review Functional Design Specifications (FDS) and System Design Specifications (SDS)
• Support PLC, SCADA, and DCS configuration activities and system integration
• Integrate automation systems with site infrastructure, historians, alarm systems, and MES platforms
• Support commissioning, qualification, and validation activities, including automation testing execution
• Participate in FAT and SAT reviews and approvals
• Verify user requirements and support alarm management activities
• Review vendor and EPCM design deliverables, technical specifications, and datasheets
• Contribute to design reviews, including safety reviews, FMEA, RTM, and Design Qualification (DQ)
• Support the delivery of as-built documentation and project handover packs
• Provide automation support for systems including autoclaves, small parts washers, UDAF units, and DF booths

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Strong experience in industrial automation within a regulated manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of PLC, SCADA, and/or DCS systems
• Experience supporting commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV) activities
• Understanding of automation system integration and lifecycle management
• Ability to review technical documentation, specifications, and engineering deliverables
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience working within multidisciplinary project teams

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
• Experience delivering automation projects within pharmaceutical, life sciences, biotechnology, or other regulated industries
• Understanding of engineering documentation, testing, and system validation processes

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Knowledge of GxP, Data Integrity, and Computer System Validation (CSV)
• Familiarity with MHRA and EU GMP Annex 1 requirements
• Experience supporting sterile manufacturing or cleanroom environments
• Knowledge of FMEA, FAT, SAT, IQ, and OQ methodologies
• Experience working on facility expansion or capital project programmes

Additional Information

Why join us?

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.