Senior Siemens MES Programmer (Opcenter & Mendix)
First seen by Alion on Oct 28, 2026. Cognizant scores A on the Alion truth index.
We are seeking a seasoned Senior Siemens MES Programmer with 10+ years of hands-on experience in Siemens Opcenter and Mendix designing, building, and supporting Siemens Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions in regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environments. This is a senior technical and advisory role for an individual who has led complex MES implementations end-to-end, mentored junior engineers, and served as the go-to subject matter expert for Siemens Opcenter MES architecture, integration, and validation strategy. Drive smartmanufacturing initiatives focusing on end‑to‑end integration of manufacturing execution systems (MES), SAP, and DCS via Opcenter Connect MOM. The successful candidate will combine deep technical mastery of Siemens Opcenter Execution and the Siemens MES/MOM portfolio, together with Mendix low-code application development, with strong leadership skills, acting as a technical lead on multi-site programs, greenfield implementations, and enterprise-level system upgrades, while ensuring full compliance with GxP, 21CFR Part 11, and data integrity requirements.
KeyResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership &Architecture
• Serve as the senior technical authority and architect for Siemens Opcenter and Mendix MES solutions across one or more manufacturing sites, defining system architecture, standards, and best practices.
• Lead the design and configuration of complex electronic batch records (EBRs), recipe management structures, equipment models, and unit procedures for high-complexity or multi-product manufacturing lines.
• Own the technical roadmap for MES platform evolution, including upgrade strategy, capacity planning, and long-term architecture decisions across the Siemens Opcenter portfolio (Opcenter Execution Pharma, Opcenter Connect MOM, Opcenter Intelligence) and Mendixapplications.
• Evaluate emerging Siemenscapabilities and industry trends (Industry 4.0, MES/MOM convergence, low-codedevelopment, cloud-enabled platforms) and advise leadership on adoptionstrategy.
• Configure and manage business processes around materialmanagement/flow, equipment management including the electronic equipmentlogbook, and production record systems in Siemens Opcenter.
• Integrate SAP with Siemens Opcenter eBR and enableseamless communication to DCS (Distributed Control System) to support batchcreation via campaign management, process orchestration via Opcenter ConnectMOM, and batch data recording into the electronic production record.
• Lead smart manufacturing projects
Development, Integration &Delivery
• Lead full lifecycle delivery of large-scale MES projects: requirements definition, functional/technical design, configuration, custom scripting, integration, testing, validation, and go-live support.
• Architect and oversee complexintegrations between Siemens Opcenter / Mendix applications and DCS/SCADA/PLCsystems (e.g., DeltaV, PCS7), ERP platforms (SAP, including SAP MII/PI-PO),LIMS, warehouse management, and serialization/track-and-trace systems.
• Design and review advancedscripts, calculations, and custom reports using Opcenter scripting tools,Mendix microflows, SQL, and supporting languages (VB.NET, C#, Java, JavaScript,Python) to extend platform capability.
• Direct and review the work ofjunior and mid-level MES programmers/engineers, providing technical mentorship,code/configuration review, and knowledge transfer.
• Lead root-cause analysis andresolution for the most complex, cross-system production issues and dataintegrity discrepancies, minimizing manufacturing downtime.
Quality, Compliance &Validation
• Own and drive computer system validation (CSV) strategy for MES projects in accordance with GAMP 5, authoring and approving URS, FS, DS, and IQ/OQ/PQ documentation.
• Ensure all MES architecture, configuration, and development activities comply with 21 CFR Part 11, GMP, and data integrity (ALCOA+) principles.
• Serve as the senior MES representative in audits, regulatory inspections, and internal quality reviews, providing technical justification and remediation plans as needed.
• Lead change control activitiesfor significant MES configuration changes, including impact assessments, riskanalysis, and cross-functional approval coordination.
Cross-Functional Collaboration& Strategy
• Partner with Manufacturing,Quality Assurance, Automation/OT, IT, and Validation leadership to support newproduct introductions, technology transfers, and site expansions.
• Act as primary technicalliaison with Siemens (or implementation partners) for escalations, licensing,upgrade planning, and roadmap alignment.
• Present technical strategies,risk assessments, and project status to senior management and stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver advancedtraining programs for engineering staff, operators, and quality personnel onMES functionality and best practices.
RequiredQualifications• Bachelor's degree in ComputerScience, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology,or a related field (or equivalent extensive experience).
• 10+ years of progressive,hands-on experience developing, architecting, and supporting Siemens OpcenterMES (Opcenter Execution Pharma / Opcenter Execution Foundation) and Mendixapplications within regulated pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences manufacturingenvironments.
• Demonstrated experience leadingfull-cycle MES implementations, including greenfield deployments and multi-siterollouts.
• Deep expertise in electronicbatch record (EBR) design, recipe/procedure modeling, and complex productionworkflow configuration.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL andrelational databases (SQL Server, Oracle) for data architecture, reporting, andtroubleshooting.
• Strong working knowledge of automation/control systems (PLC, SCADA, DCS) and OT/IT integration architecture.
• Expert-level understanding of GMP, 21 CFR Part 11, GAMP 5, and computer system validation (CSV) methodology, with a track record of leading validation efforts.
• Proven experience managing change control, deviation investigations, and CAPA related to MES systems.
• Demonstrated ability to mentorand lead technical teams, and to communicate effectively with seniorleadership, quality, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills for complex, multi-system, business-critical issues.
Preferred Qualifications• Experience with Opcenter Intelligence, Opcenter Connect MOM, Siemens Insights Hub, or the broader Siemens Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) portfolio.
• Experience architectingMES-to-ERP integrations (SAP MII, PI/PO, or equivalent middleware) at anenterprise scale.
• Advanced scripting/programmingexperience in VB.NET, C#, or Python for platform extension and automation.
• Experience in sterile/asepticprocessing, biologics, solid dose, or combination product manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of ISA-95 /ISA-88 standards and their application in enterprise MES architecture.
• Experience leadingserialization/track-and-trace integration initiatives.
• ISPE / GAMP certification, PMP,Mendix Advanced/Expert Developer certification, or equivalent professionalcertification.
• Prior experience in a technicallead, principal engineer, or MES architect role.
Key Competencies• Strategic thinking with theability to translate business and regulatory requirements into scalabletechnical architecture.
• Strong leadership, mentoring,and stakeholder management skills.
• Uncompromising attention todetail and commitment to data integrity and quality compliance.
• Excellent verbal and writtencommunication skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership andregulatory bodies.
• Sound judgment and composurewhen leading resolution of business-critical production issues.
• Expert knowledge onSiemens Opcenter architecture and MES modules like Opcenter Execution Pharma,Opcenter Execution Foundation, Opcenter Connect MOM, and Opcenter Intelligence,plus Mendix platform architecture (domain models, microflows, and mobile/shop-floorapplications).
• Extensive experiencewith the Opcenter Execution Pharma eBR application – designing master batchrecords and recipes, including SQL and Mendix microflow logic, to allow genericdesigns that work for multiple business processes and production record management.
• Expert knowledge onmaster batch record (MBR), recipe, and work instruction design for the businessprocess requirements.
• Strong knowledge of material management, equipment management, and master data management (MDM)configuration.
Skills
Industrial Management, Leadership, Competency Mapping, Python Scripting, Quality Control, Sterile Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical Products, Senior Executive Leadership, Maintenance of data integrity, GAMP, C Language, Mep Engineer, Biologics, Implementing Erp Solutions, Strategic Business, Stakeholder Management, Isa-95