At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead automation projects and support day-to-day operations in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join GSK, a global biopharma leader committed to health innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture with a focus on collaboration and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare by harnessing smart manufacturing technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree or experience in engineering with practical skills in automation systems.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
This job is with GSK, an inclusive employer. Automation Engineer - 18 Months Secondment / FTC Closing Date: 19th June 2026 (COB)
Business Introduction
We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients' needs and drive our performance. Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply.
Position Summary
You will provide hands-on and technical leadership for automation and control systems at our UK site. You will support day-to-day operations, lead small to medium automation projects, and work with engineering, quality, validation and operations teams. We value curiosity, practical problem solving, clear communication and a focus on safety and compliance. This role offers growth through exposure to modern manufacturing automation, industry 4.0 approaches and cross-functional collaboration to deliver meaningful impact on how we prevent and treat disease together.
Responsibilities
- Provide hands-on engineering support for PLC, HMI, SCADA and associated field instrumentation to maintain reliable production.
- Lead specification, procurement, installation and testing (FAT/SAT) for automation systems and control panels.
- Deliver small to medium automation improvement projects that raise efficiency, safety and data quality.
- Work with Quality and Validation to ensure systems are compliant, audit ready and meet GMP requirements.
- Support change controls, CAPAs, deviations and documentation related to automated systems.
- Coach and work closely with operations, contractors and stakeholders to resolve issues and share best practice.
Why You?
Basic Qualification
We are seeking professionals with the following required skills and qualifications:
- HNC/HND or degree in Electrical, Electronic, Control, Instrumentation or similar engineering discipline, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
- Practical experience with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA or industrial control systems.
- Experience supporting automated production equipment in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with installation, commissioning and testing of control systems.
- Good problem solving and troubleshooting skills for electrical and control faults.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams and contractors.
Preferred Qualification
If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
- Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Robotics, Software/Data or related engineering discipline.
- Experience with Siemens, Rockwell, Wonderware/AVEVA or similar vendors and protocols such as Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet/IP.
- Familiarity with MES integration, historians or basic SQL/data interfaces.
- Knowledge of regulatory expectations for electronic records, data integrity and GxP environments.
- Experience of process and machinery safety standards (UKCA/CE, PUWER, HAZOP, SIL) and operational technology cyber security awareness.
- Experience authoring testing protocols, technical specifications and engineering documentation.
This role is site-based at our Worthing GSK site.
How to apply
If you want to grow your technical leadership and help deliver reliable, compliant automation in a modern manufacturing environment, we would love to hear from you. Please apply and tell us briefly how your skills and experience match the role. We welcome applications from people at different stages of their career.
Why GSK?
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines.
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.
We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.
Automation Engineer employer: Gsk
GSK is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity and innovation, making it an ideal place for an Automation Engineer to thrive. With a commitment to employee growth through exposure to cutting-edge technologies and cross-functional collaboration, GSK offers a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact global health. Located in Worthing, the site provides a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of biopharmaceutical manufacturing while being part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former GSK employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Automation Engineer role. Personal connections can give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure you can talk confidently about PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems. We want to see your hands-on experience shine through, so be ready to share specific examples of projects you've worked on.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! During interviews, be prepared to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to automation challenges. Think through your approach and communicate clearly how you'd resolve issues while keeping safety and compliance in mind.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining GSK and being part of our mission to make a positive impact on health.
We think you need these skills to ace Automation Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Automation Engineer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at GSK, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role is all about automation and control systems, be sure to emphasise your hands-on experience with PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems. We love seeing practical examples of how you've tackled challenges in a manufacturing environment.
Communicate Clearly:Strong communication skills are key for this position. When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point, especially when discussing your problem-solving abilities and teamwork experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about GSK and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gsk
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems. GSK is looking for someone who can provide hands-on engineering support, so be ready to discuss your practical experience and any specific projects you've worked on that relate to automation.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled electrical and control faults in the past. GSK values practical problem-solving, so think of situations where you identified issues and implemented effective solutions, especially in a manufacturing environment.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to work with multi-disciplinary teams. Be ready to demonstrate how you've collaborated with others to achieve project goals.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with regulatory expectations for electronic records and data integrity, as well as safety standards like UKCA/CE and HAZOP. GSK prioritises compliance, so showing that you understand these aspects will set you apart from other candidates.
