Engineer (Automation)

Hybrid location: Puurs, Belgium

As an Automation Engineer you contribute to delivering investment projects on time and within budget and ensure that our products are produced reliably with high business assurance and performance. In parallel you also keep the existing automation systems operational at various levels, ranging from daily trouble shooting (curative maintenance) to planned exercises such as major upgrades on hardware and/or software, patching, efficiency improvements, which are part of the overall computer system life cycle management.

Responsibilities

• Perform and monitor automation projects for the entire production plant.
• Manage various automation systems (production, buildings, utilities).
• Develop project deliverables: specifications, detailed planning, risk analyses and documentation; coordinate and supervise installation and software development in accordance with the specifications.
• Hand over to various users (production and maintenance).
• Work closely with stakeholders (production, engineering, IT).
• Deliver projects to operational validation and document them.
• Assist in validation.
• Troubleshoot automation systems during and outside office hours.
• Assist in automation planning.
• Manage project documentation and backups (software archive).
• Organise internal training and support onboarding of new automation colleagues.
• Align and keep automation procedures up‑to‑date.
• Recommend changes and upgrades to existing equipment to improve efficiency.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (Industrial Engineering – specialization in automation techniques, Computer Science, Electro‑Mechanical, …).
• Excellent command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written.
• Experience in automation.
• Strong interest in developing PLC (Schneider, Siemens), HMI, SCADA systems (iFix) and databases.
• Analytical and accurate with strong communication skills and a true team player.
• Passion for learning new technologies.
• Preferred: Project management skills, pharmaceutical experience.

Benefits

We offer an open corporate climate and a stimulating company culture. Opportunities to develop and broaden your knowledge across various domains. Attention to work–family balance and flexible working hours. In Puurs we provide an adapted framework to promote the physical and mental well‑being of our colleagues, including a bike‑lease programme, a local fitness facility they can use, and a mental coach available on site.

Why choose Novartis

769 million – each day, people come into contact with our products. We are proud of that. Yet in a world of digital and technological change, we continually ask ourselves how we can keep extending and improving lives. That is only possible when curious, brave people like you collaborate in an inspiring environment, where you have the freedom to explore the strength of the digital world, are encouraged to take risks, learn from failures, and work together with colleagues towards a common goal of solving challenging medical problems.

Diversity & Inclusion

Novartis embraces diversity, equal opportunities and inclusion. We are committed to building diverse teams that reflect the patients and communities we support. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that drives innovation through collaboration and empowers people to unleash their full potential.