Engineer (DCS, PLC) - Automation & Controls

Job Description Summary

Location: Kundl, Austria; #LI-Hybrid 12 days/month in office
Internal job title: Engineer (DCS, PLC)
About the Role:
The ITOT Team in Kundl is looking for an Engineer (DCS, PLC) to join the team and ensure the reliable, GMP‑compliant operation and continuous improvement of automation systems within a modern pharmaceutical production environment.

 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:  

• Operate, support, and maintain DCS and PLC systems in a regulated GMP environment

• Act as technical contact for automation systems and support production during operation and troubleshooting

• Design and implement automation changes in line with quality, safety and compliance requirements

• Identify and implement improvements to enhance equipment availability and production cycle time.

• Execute and support automation‑related projects from design to handover

• Create and maintain compliant technical and lifecycle documentation

• Collaborate closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, and external partners

Essential Requirements:

• Technical education or degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a comparable technical field

• Hands-on experience with DCS and/or PLC systems in an industrial manufacturing environment

• Experience working in a GMP‑regulated environment or strong understanding of regulated production requirements (pharma, biotech, chemical, food, etc.)

• Ability to support stable operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of automation systems to ensure high system availability

• Experience with incident analysis and troubleshooting in production‑critical environments

• Familiarity with change management processes, including documentation, testing, and controlled implementation of technical changes

• Understanding of qualification and validation activities for automation systems

• Basic experience supporting audits, inspections, deviations, and CAPAs from a technical perspective

• Structured, reliable working style with a strong sense of quality, safety, and compliance

• Interest in or initial experience with digital tools, data analytics, or AI‑supported solutions in manufacturing, and willingness to continuously learn and adopt new tools, technologies, and ways of working in a modern digital plant

• Ability to work collaboratively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, IT, and external service providers

• Good communication skills in English and German

Desirable requirements:

• Experience with Emerson DeltaV or comparable distributed control systems

• Experience in biotechnological or pharmaceutical production (USP, DSP, utilities, clean media, etc.)

• Exposure to MES / eBR systems and shopfloor digitalization

• Experience coordinating or technically leading small automation projects or change packages

• Understanding of OT cybersecurity principles and risk‑based system protection

• Experience working with or coordinating external automation service providers

​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.

What you will receive:

In addition to a market-competitive base salary, we offer an attractive incentive program, a modern company pension scheme, childcare facilities, learning and development opportunities as well as worldwide career possibilities within the Novartis group.

In accordance with Austrian law, we are obliged to disclose the minimum salary as stated in the collective bargaining agreement. For this position the minimum gross salary is € 65,605.54/year (on a full-time basis). We also offer a potential market oriented excess payment in line with your experience and qualifications. 

Adjustments for Applicants with Disabilities: 

If because of a medical condition, physical disability or a neurodiverse condition you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please reach out to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request as well as your contact information. The support which we can provide will include advice on suitable positions as well as guidance at all stages of the application process. Austrian law provides candidates the opportunity to involve the local disability representative, Behindertenvertrauensperson (BVP), in the application process. If you would like to request this, please let us know in advance as a note on your CV.

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, Cost Management, Data Analytics and Digital, Decision Making, Engineering Operations Management, Engineering Technical Expertise, GDP Knowledge, gmp knowledge, HSE Knowledge, Manufacturing Process (Production), Operational Excellence, Problem Solving, Project Management, Quality Compliance, Resilience and Risk Management, Resource Planning and Forecasting, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Vendor Management