1,434,699open jobs
84,691companies
218,140added this week
Browse all
Salary
≈ $64k – $115k per year (Estimated)
Location
In office (Cork)
Seniority
Senior · 7+ years exp
Employment
Full-Time

Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 10, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 7, 2026. Merck Group scores A on the Alion truth index.

Overview
Company
Impact
Profile match
Merck Group is a global science and technology company headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany. The company operates across three primary business sectors: Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics, delivering innovative medicines, laboratory solutions, and advanced materials. Through its focus on research and technology, it advances medical treatments, supports biopharmaceutical production, and drives key innovations in semiconductor manufacturing worldwide.

Work Your Magic with us! Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans - so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That`s why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

The Role

The Automation and Controls Specialist is responsible for designing, programming, and implementing control strategies to optimize manufacturing processes using advanced automation technologies. This role requires proficiency in configuring and troubleshooting systems such as PLCs, SCADA, DCS, and HMI.

While the role focuses on Smart Manufacturing and CapEx projects implementation, on a day-to-day it may also support diagnosis and resolution of issues related to control systems.

Duties

  • Design, develop, install, modify and test the programming of PLC's, Robotics, vision systems as well as supporting the sites SCADA systems.
  • Responsible for repairing, fault finding, and troubleshooting automation issues on production equipment as part of a team working in a live production environment.
  • Collaborate with team members to implement effective repairs and improvements.
  • Develop knowledge of on-site systems and equipment such as PLC's, Servo motors, vision systems and robotics to become the Site SME for these technologies. Lead or manage the development of GAMP documentation with the project team e.g. URS, FDS, FAT, SAT etc...
  • Participate and in some cases lead projects, provide technical support and make informed decisions on hardware and architecture selection.
  • Monitor and analyze opportunities for the development of new or improved tools for process improvement activities. Define the equipment and technologies to be used in the department based on experience in the area.
  • Support the site during out of hours with automation issues as part of the Automation Oncall service as part of the Automation On-call team rota.
  • Have a keen ability to fault find complex automation equipment including interrogation ofprogram code to identify issues.
  • Coach area technicians and junior control engineers as required and support problemsolving and continuous improvement efforts across all areas of Biotools.
  • Carry out justification for capital projects for the site and lead all elements of the projectwithin schedule and costs
  • Manage all Requisitions and financial needs to ensure site discretionary budgets and capitalbudgets are met.
  • Give input to the budgeting process for controls automation needs to allow the correctfinance to be put in place for execution.
  • Ensure project design and installations meet the requirement of EU directives such as the Machinery Directive and CE compliance.
  • Ensure Electrical Control Panels are built to standard and adhere to Safety of Machinery -EN60204-1.
  • Develop critical spares list for site controls and automation hardware & ensure that criticalspares are in stock or are readily available at all times. Ensure that an effective program is then maintained.
  • Investigate EHS incidents, lead RCAs and complete EHS actions as appropriate.
  • Perform all tasks with due recognition of safety, environment, GMP & plant procedures.

Who You Are

  • BEng degree in electrical/electronic/automation engineering or equivalent, with particularemphasis in the automation discipline.
  • Minimum of 7 years + industry experience in an FDA or GMP environment as an automation controls engineer. Electrician experience and qualification is desirable.
  • Experience with Robotic/pick &place Machines with high speed assembly operations required.
  • Knowledge of interfacing with and controlling of servo drive and Motion Control systems.
  • Knowledge of Vision Systems is preferable. [Cognex and other Vendors]
  • Experienced with Rockwell, Siemens S7, Telemecanique and other types of PLC Controllers.
  • In depth knowledge of automation network protocols including EtherNet IP, DeviceNet,ControlNet, Modbus and Profibus.
  • Knowledge of control systems integration with plant MES (Manufacturing Execution System).
  • Excellent problem solving and analytical ability and the ability to work as part of a team.
  • Be familiar with planned preventative maintenance approaches.
  • Excellent awareness and experience in relation to Quality and Health, Environment andSafety.
  • Management of projects through their full life-cycle.
  • Knowledge of CE marking and declaration of conformity reviews and approvals.
  • A knowledge of IT systems that support manufacturing equipment.
  • Lead Machine Improvement Initiatives to increase reliability or productivity.
  • Electrical and machine control system problem solving
  • Familiar with GMP requirements within a regulated industry.
  • Excellent verbal, written & interpersonal communication skills.
  • Motivated team player with pro-active and flexible approach to work.
  • Ability to deliver on time and meet tight deadlines.
  • The ability to work effectively within a team environment.
  • Capable of working on several projects with different businesses, priorities and designrequirements.
  • Self-motivated.
  • Keen to learn & take responsibility within a fast paced environment.
  • Training and professional development of maintenance technicians
  • Strong organisational, time management and planning ability.
  • Computer Literate in Excel, Word etc.
  • Methodical Work Approach
  • Support production teams in attaining all targets set out in the production schedule.
  • Responsible for the supervision and control of all documentation / back up systems relatedto plant controls and PLC's.
  • Responsible for negotiating and maintaining all associated support contracts.
  • Responsible for keeping all controls related equipment up to date and conforming to all internationally recognised standards.

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity. We believe that it drives excellence, innovation, and human progress. We care about our customers, patients, and our rich mix of people. This diversity strengthens our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all and empower you to fulfil your ambitions. Our diverse businesses offer various career moves to seek new horizons. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to bring their curiosity to life!

Free account
Stop reading job ads. Get the ones that fit.
One free account turns this page into a shortlist built around your stack, your level and your pay.
Match on every job. Stack, seniority, pay and location, scored against your profile.
1,434,699 open roles. Read straight off company career pages, refreshed every day.
Unlimited applications. Every one you send is tracked in one place, on-site or on a company board.
3 tailored CVs a month. Rewritten for the exact job you are applying to. Included free.
Create a free account Continue with Google
Free forever. No card. Under a minute.

Your match

How well do you fit this role?
Two answers are enough for a real match. No account needed.
Check my fit
Answers stay in this browser until you create an account.

Recommended for you based on this role

Industrial Engineering
Similar stack
Same company
Cork
≈ $58k – $98k per year (Estimated) • In office • Full-Time • 5+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • Bray
Apply
≈ $58k – $98k per year (Estimated) • In office • Full-Time • 3+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • Bray
Apply
≈ $55k – $112k per year (Estimated) • In office • Full-Time • Dublin
Apply
$52k – $78k per year • In office • Full-Time • 2+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • Galway
Management
Microsoft Office
Apply
$50k – $58k per year • In office • Part-Time • 1+ year exp • High School Diploma • Commerce
Apply
≈ $36k – $63k per year (Estimated) • In office • Bachelor's Degree • United States
SQL
AI/ML
Stable Diffusion
ControlNet
Design
AutoCAD
Management
Microsoft Office
Apply
≈ $34k – $101k per year (Estimated) • In office • Beijing
AI/ML
Stable Diffusion
LoRA
Diffusion Models
ControlNet
PEFT
Apply
Hybrid • Full-Time • Minsk
AI/ML
ChatGPT
Stable Diffusion
Midjourney
Design
Adobe Photoshop
Figma
Apply
≈ $17k – $37k per year (Estimated) • In office • 12+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • Gurgaon
Python
PowerShell
AI/ML
Stable Diffusion
LCM
DevOps
Ansible
VMWare
TCP/IP
DNS
DHCP
Management
ITIL
Apply
In office • Full-Time • Tokyo
AI/ML
Cursor
Claude
ChatGPT
Stable Diffusion
Model Context Protocol
Midjourney
DALL-E
Design
Adobe Photoshop
Figma
FigJam
Management
Slack
Apply
$78k – $131k per year • In office • Full-Time • 3+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • United States
Cybersecurity
CAPA
Apply
Process Engineer 2 1 day ago
$67k – $101k per year • In office • Full-Time • 4+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • Indianapolis
Design
AutoCAD
Apply
≈ $78k – $187k per year (Estimated) • In office • Full-Time • Ansan
Apply
≈ $13k – $26k per year (Estimated) • In office • Full-Time • Bachelor's Degree • Kaohsiung
Apply
Quality Engineer 7 days ago
$86k – $129k per year • In office • Full-Time • 5+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • United States
Python
Analytics
Tableau
Apply
≈ $73k – $141k per year (Estimated) • Hybrid • 5+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • Dublin • Cork
Apply
Supervisor 1 day ago
≈ $53k – $108k per year (Estimated) • In office • Full-Time • Cork
Apply
Senior CSV Engineer 2 days ago
≈ $66k – $113k per year (Estimated) • Remote (Ireland) • Full-Time • 3+ years exp • Cork
Apply
≈ $104k – $201k per year (Estimated) • In office • 10+ years exp • Bachelor's Degree • Cork
Apply
In office • Full-Time • Cork
ABAP
Apply
See all jobs
This is one of many
1,434,699 more open roles from verified company boards, updated every day.