At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of complex control systems in a cutting-edge biotech environment.
- Company: Join a leading biotech and chemical engineering organisation in Slough.
- Benefits: Permanent position with competitive salary and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in high-value production.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of life sciences and automation.
- Qualifications: Experience in automation engineering within regulated manufacturing environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
An advanced R&D and manufacturing environment within a biotech & chemical engineering-focused organisation is building out a next-generation automation capability at its Slough facility. They are seeking an Automation Engineer to take ownership of complex control systems across a highly regulated GMP production environment.
This is a hands-on technical role sitting at the core of process automation, supporting the design, build, validation, and optimisation of automated manufacturing systems used in high-value life science production. They operate in a highly regulated bioprocessing and pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, supporting the development and production of complex biological and chemical products. Automation sits at the heart of ensuring scalability, compliance, and product quality across R&D and production systems.
- Lead automation input into capital engineering and R&D facility projects
- Design, configure, and support process control systems across PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA platforms
- Develop and maintain automation solutions for GMP manufacturing environments
- Manage automation change control processes and validation activities (cGMP)
- Troubleshoot and lead root cause analysis on complex control system issues
- Support automation integration across process equipment and utilities (bioreactors, chromatography, filtration systems, CIP/SIP, autoclaves)
- Interface with building systems and industrial control networks (OPC, Profibus, DeviceNet, Foundation Fieldbus, HVAC, WFI systems)
Strong background in automation engineering within regulated manufacturing (pharma / biotech / chemical) PLC systems (Rockwell ControlLogix preferred). Ability to produce and interpret engineering and validation documentation. Exposure to pharmaceutical or bioprocess unit operations (e.g. bioreactors, filtration, chromatography). Understanding of industrial communication protocols (OPC, Profibus, DeviceNet).
This is a rare opportunity to step into a core automation role within a high-investment R&D manufacturing site, supporting cutting-edge biotech and chemical production systems. The work directly impacts how new products are developed, scaled, and brought into regulated manufacturing environments.
Automation Systems Engineer in Slough employer: Oakmont Consulting
Join a pioneering biotech and chemical engineering organisation in Slough, where innovation meets excellence. As an Automation Systems Engineer, you'll thrive in a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, offering hands-on experience in a highly regulated environment. With competitive benefits and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects, this role is perfect for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a cutting-edge industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation Systems Engineer in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees in the biotech and chemical engineering sectors, especially those working in automation. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past projects related to automation systems. This hands-on evidence can really impress during interviews and show we mean business.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors focusing on technical questions related to PLC, DCS, and HMI systems. The more we practice, the more confident we'll feel when it’s our turn in the hot seat.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have exclusive roles listed there that you won’t find anywhere else.
We think you need these skills to ace Automation Systems Engineer in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Automation Systems Engineer role. Highlight your experience with PLC, DCS, and HMI systems, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on work in GMP environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about automation in biotech and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, be sure to include examples of how you've tackled complex control system issues in the past. We love candidates who can demonstrate their troubleshooting abilities and lead root cause analysis effectively.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oakmont Consulting
✨Know Your Automation Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA platforms. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've designed or configured these systems, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand GMP Regulations
Since this role is in a highly regulated environment, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Prepare examples of how you've managed automation change control processes and validation activities in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Troubleshooting Skills
Be prepared to talk about complex control system issues you've encountered and how you led root cause analysis to resolve them. Highlight your problem-solving approach and any tools or methodologies you used.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Bioprocessing
Get to grips with bioprocess unit operations like bioreactors, chromatography, and filtration. Being able to discuss how automation integrates with these processes will show that you understand the bigger picture and can contribute effectively to the team.
