Automation Engineer

Job Description Summary

Sandoz continues to go through an exciting and transformative period as a global leader and pioneering provider of sustainable Biosimilar and Generic medicines. As we continue down this new and ambitious path, unique opportunities will present themselves, both professionally and personally. Join us, the future is ours to shape!

Job Description

Major accountabilities: 

Automation & OT/IT

• Maintain, troubleshoot and continuously improve PLC, HMI and SCADA systems
• Plan and implement automation upgrades, retrofits and migration projects
• Develop and maintain robust OT/IT architectures and industrial networks
• Integrate production equipment with MES, LIMS, WMS, ERP and data platforms
• Implement industrial communication technologies such as Profinet, OPC UA and MQTT
• Support FAT/SAT, commissioning, qualification and lifecycle management
• Intelligently connect production equipment, laboratory systems (LIMS), and warehouse management systems (WMS)

OT Cybersecurity & Security Management

• Act as the site focal point for OT cybersecurity
• Assess cybersecurity risks for automation systems and OT infrastructure
• Coordinate vulnerability, patch and OT asset lifecycle activities
• Drive network segmentation, system hardening and Security-by-Design
• Define security requirements for new equipment, modifications and retrofits
• Support OT-security assessments, audits and cybersecurity incidents
• Coordinate security measures with IT, Cybersecurity, Engineering and external suppliers
• Support compliance with corporate requirements and OT-security principles such as IEC 62443

Digital Manufacturing

• Enable connectivity between machines, OT systems and digital platforms
• Develop Industrial IoT and Edge Computing solutions
• Make production data accessible for analytics and continuous improvement
• Support Predictive Maintenance, manufacturing analytics and selected AI applications
• Contribute to the site's digital manufacturing roadmap Drive innovation through Industrial IoT, edge computing, and predictive maintenance technologies

What you’ll bring to the role: 

• Degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, IT, Computer Science or comparable qualification
• Experience in industrial automationStrong understanding of industrial networks and OT/IT architectures
• Knowledge of Profinet, Industrial Ethernet, OPC UA and/or MQTT
• Practical understanding of OT cybersecurity, network segmentation and vulnerability management
• Experience with MES/ERP/LIMS integration or Industrial IoT is an advantage
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical GxP and computerized system requirements is an advantage
• Analytical mindset with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• High level of ownership and ability to work across Engineering, IT and Production
• Very good German and English communication skills

As part of your application, please submit your current CV as well as proof of your highest educational qualification (e.g., diploma, master’s degree, doctorate). Additional documents such as employment references may be uploaded optionally but are not mandatory. 

Compensation Structure & Criteria:   

Sandoz compensation is determined by job level, qualifications, niche skills, experience, and location within company salary ranges. Fully proficient and highly effective employees can expect a starting salary around market median, with those new to the level or with less functional depth at the lower end of the range and those with sustained superior or niche skills towards the higher end of the range. Internal equity and external market data inform our range placement. Annual salary reviews consider performance outcomes, market alignment, and business needs.   

• Job location: Rudolstadt, Germany 

• Starting pay range: EUR 72.960 - 109.440 ​ 
• Variable compensation: 5% performance-based bonus, performance based long-term incentive plan.​ 

• Additional benefits include: 30 vacation days per year (in full time), 1.200€ vacation payment (in full time), €40/month in capital-forming benefits (in full time), company pension, flex-hybrid working 50% per week in the office, access to our learning & development platforms Skillsoft & Learnlight, Access to our employee share program “OurShare” 

• Pay frequency: Monthly 

• Expected weekly working hours: 40 hours 

• Contract type: full time​ 

Why Sandoz? 

Sandoz is the global leader in Biosimilar and Generic medicines, a segment of the healthcare industry that delivers 80% of the world’s medicines at 30% of the cost, touching the lives of more than 1 billion people across 100+ countries! While we are proud of our achievements, we have an ambition to do more so that everyone can achieve the basic human right of good health.  

With investments in new development capabilities, production sites, new acquisitions, and partnerships, we have the opportunity to shape the future of Sandoz and help even more people gain access to low-cost, high-quality medicines, sustainably.   

Our momentum is powered by an open, collaborative culture driven by our talented and ambitious colleagues, who, in return for applying their skills, experience an agile and collegiate environment with impactful careers, where diversity of thought is welcomed and where personal growth is supported!   

Join us, help us make healthcare fairer and faster.   

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. 

Hiring decisions are only based on the qualification for the position, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age and disability.Hiring decisions are only based on the qualification for the position, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age and disability. 

The law provides for severely disabled / equal applicants the opportunity to involve the local representative body for disabled employees (SBV) in the application process. If you would like to request this, please let us know in advance as a note on your CV. 

#Sandoz  

Skills Desired

Api (Application Programming Interface), Api (Application Programming Interface), Automation, Back-End Development, Business Continuity, Change Control, Chemistry, Design Development, Electronic Components, General Hse Knowledge  , Including Gdp, Java (Programming Language), Knowledge Of Capa, Knowledge Of Gmp, Kubernetes, Managing Performance Improvement, Manufacturing Production, Mathematical Optimization, Project Commissioning, Project Engineering, Project Execution, Reactjs, Risk Management, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Scheduler {+ 2 more}