At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and manage GMP-compliant control systems while leading automation projects.
- Company: Join SEKISUI Diagnostics, a leader in innovative healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare technology and lead exciting automation initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in GMP environments and advanced PLC/SCADA skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Senior Controls Systems Engineer – Maidstone, Kent
Sekisui Diagnostics is seeking a Senior Controls Systems Engineer to join our team in Maidstone, Kent.
The role involves designing, delivering, and managing GMP‑compliant control systems.
The successful candidate will act as a technical lead for process control issues related to PLC, environmental monitoring, SCADA and HMI systems, and will lead factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).
Requirements
- Previous experience in a GMP environment with a strong understanding of validation and data integrity.
- Advanced PLC/SCADA expertise (e. g., Allen Bradley, Siemens).
- Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast‑paced environment.
- Proficiency reading piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) drawings/specifications and challenging vendor approaches.
Responsibilities
- Automation Strategy & System Design.
- Define and approve system architectures and standards.
- Ensure full traceability from URS → FDS → SDS → code.
- Lead PLC/SCADA development and configuration activities.
- Review and approve software design and implementation.
- Ensure robust alarm management, interlocks, and fail‑safe design.
- Commissioning, Qualification & Validation leadership.
- Define validation approach in collaboration with QA/Validation.
- Ensure systems meet regulatory requirements and validation standards.
- GMP Compliance & Data Integrity ownership.
- Maintain systems in a validated state.
- Lead audit readiness and interface with regulators/vendors.
- Lead Engineering Change Control for automation systems.
- Perform impact assessments for complex system changes.
- Ensure lifecycle management of automation assets.
- Provide technical guidance to engineers and technicians.
- Support development of site automation capability.
- Act as SME for control systems across the site.
- Lead automation workstreams in capital projects.
- Manage system integrators and vendors.
- Interface with senior stakeholders across Engineering, QA, and Operations.
- Define and drive automation improvement initiatives.
- Support site digitalisation and integration strategies (EMS, historians, etc.).
- Improve system performance, reliability, and compliance.
- Lead or participate in safety reviews, FMEAs, HAZOPS, or similar.
- Maintain records for regulatory purposes in line with current legislation, including c GMP where required.
- Support vendor cost negotiations and challenge cost increases or scope changes.
- Ensure the maintenance team is educated on new equipment and involved in successful handover of projects.
- Facilitate continuous improvement workshops involving cross‑sectional teams.
- Support regulatory and customer audits.
Competitive compensation and benefits package.
Equal opportunities As an equal‑opportunity employer, SEKISUI Diagnostics is committed to a diverse workforce.
Employment decisions will be made without discrimination based on race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other protected characteristics as required by applicable law.
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Senior Engineer (Controls System Engineer) in Maidstone employer: Sekisui Diagnostics
Sekisui Diagnostics is an exceptional employer located in Kent, UK, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in the field of biologics. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have ample opportunities for growth and mentorship as you work alongside industry experts to ensure compliance and quality in drug manufacturing. The company values a culture of continuous improvement and provides a supportive atmosphere where your contributions directly impact patient care and regulatory success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Engineer (Controls System Engineer) in Maidstone
✨Get Involved in Control Systems Communities
Dive into control systems forums and relevant LinkedIn groups to showcase your expertise. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and share your knowledge—this can help us get noticed by potential employers looking for someone just like you!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Join conferences or workshops specifically tailored to control systems engineering, like the IEEE conference. These events are goldmines for networking with industry leaders and might just lead us to that perfect role at Sekisui Diagnostics.
✨Get Practical Experience Through Projects
Start or contribute to projects that highlight your control systems skills. Whether it’s a simulated environment or real-world application, having tangible results will give us a huge edge when chatting with Sekisui Diagnostics.
✨Choose Job Boards Wisely
Focus on niche job boards that specialise in engineering roles. Channels like Engineers.co or similar can help ensure that we’re not only applying to random jobs but targeting positions that align perfectly with our control systems engineering skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Engineer (Controls System Engineer) in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Senior Engineer (Controls System Engineer) role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the engineering world, numbers speak volumes! Use your CV to quantify your achievements—whether it’s a percentage improvement in system efficiency or successful project completions under budget. This will not only make your application stand out but also showcase your problem-solving capabilities to us.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at Sekisui Diagnostics. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.
Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at Sekisui Diagnostics.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sekisui Diagnostics
✨Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts
Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools
Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at Sekisui Diagnostics.
✨Show Your Passion for Engineering
As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at Sekisui Diagnostics.