Job Description Summary
Location: Puurs, Belgium #LI-HybridInternal job title: Automation Engineer
This role is based in Belgium. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.
About the Role:
As an Automation Engineer, you will contribute to delivering our investment projects on time and within budget, while ensuring reliable production of our products with high operational reliability and performance.
In parallel, you will maintain existing automation systems across various levels—from daily troubleshooting (corrective maintenance) to planned activities such as major hardware and/or software upgrades, patching, and efficiency improvements. These activities are part of the overall computer system lifecycle management.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
Executing and following up on automation projects across the entire production site
Managing various automation systems (production, buildings, and utilities) and contributing to automation planning
Developing projects, including: preparing technical specifications, creating detailed project plans, performing risk analyses and ensuring proper documentation, coordinating and supervising installation and software development in line with specifications, transferring completed projects to end users (production and maintenance);
Collaborating closely with different stakeholders (production, engineering, IT)
Delivering projects for operational validation with complete documentation, managing project documentation and software backups (software archive)
Supporting validation activities
Troubleshooting automation system issues (during and outside office hours)
Organizing internal training sessions and supporting onboarding of new automation colleagues
Aligning and maintaining up-to-date automation procedures
Recommending improvements and upgrades to existing equipment to enhance efficiency
Essential Requirements:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical field (e.g., Industrial Engineering with specialization in automation, IT, Electromechanics, etc.)
6+ years’ experience in automation within an industrial environment
Strong interest and experience in PLC development (Schneider, Siemens), HMI, SCADA systems (iFix), and databases
Analytical and detail-oriented, with strong communication skills and a team-oriented mindset, with a strong passion for learning new technologies
Excellent knowledge of Dutch and English, both spoken and written
Desirable requirements:
Project management skills
Experience in the pharmaceutical industry
Please note this role will require on call support on a rotational basis.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Why Novartis?
Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to learn more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network
Accessibility and accommodation:
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Skills Desired
Business Continuity, Change Control, Cost Management, Data Analytics and Digital, Engineering Technical Expertise, GDP Knowledge, gmp knowledge, HSE Knowledge, Knowledge Of Relevant Tools And Systems , Manufacturing Process (Production), Operational Excellence, Quality Compliance, Resilience and Risk Management, Total Productive MaintenanceSkills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in a technical field
- 6+ years' experience in automation within an industrial environment
- Strong interest and experience in PLC development and SCADA systems
- Excellent knowledge of Dutch and English, both spoken and written
Novartis Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Novartis and has not been reviewed or approved by Novartis.
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Healthcare Strength — Pay and benefits are described as a strong overall package, supported by medical, dental, and vision insurance alongside FSAs/HSAs and disability and life coverage. Mental-health support is reinforced through an employee assistance program with psychological support and a network of mental health first aiders.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout element, with an automatic company contribution plus dollar-for-dollar matching in the 401(k). Additional retirement funding is described through an age-based defined contribution program and access to an employee share purchase plan discount.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-related benefits are framed as robust, including a global minimum of paid parental leave for new parents following birth or adoption. Added supports include domestic partner coverage, dependent-care resources, and benefits such as adoption assistance and child/elder care options.
Novartis Insights
What We Do
Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, working to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.
