Project Automation Engineer

Interested in a career that matters?

At Novonesis, we believe solutions rooted in biology can help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Reliable, safe, and high-quality automation solutions are critical to enabling sustainable manufacturing. We are therefore looking for an Project Automation Engineer to support and drive automation excellence across capital investment projects.

This role offers hands-on technical responsibility, strong project exposure, and close collaboration across engineering, production, and global teams.

The Role & Your Impact

As an Automation Engineer, you will play a key role in designing, implementing, and commissioning automation solutions for CAPEX projects, ensuring alignment with Novonesis’ global automation strategy and standards. You will work closely with project managers, process engineers, vendors, and production teams to deliver robust, compliant, and future-ready automation systems.

Your work will directly support safe start-ups, stable operations, and continuous performance improvement across Novonesis manufacturing sites.

Your Key Responsibilities Include:

Automation Strategy & Solution Design

• Lead the design and implementation of automation solutions (DCS and PLC) for all relevant CAPEX projects based on the global automation strategy and Novonesis standards.
• Challenge and support users in defining functional specifications and translate them into robust PCS/PLC programs.

Project Execution & Management

• Plan and execute automation tasks, including design, programming, and commissioning, in close collaboration with the project manager to secure schedule, budget, and scope.
• Act as project manager for automation projects when assigned, ensuring effective planning, execution, and follow-up.
• Support project managers with automation-related execution plans, risk assessments, and scope clarifications.
• Monitor and follow up on all automation work to ensure progress, quality, and compliance with standards.

Technical Implementation & Testing

• Design and configure control system software and architecture in cooperation with vendors and consultants.
• Prepare and execute FAT and SAT for automation systems, ensuring compliance with specifications and standards.
• Develop and maintain software change control procedures and related databases to ensure full documentation and that code remains in “as-designed” condition.

Collaboration & Process Optimization

• Work closely with project managers, process engineers, production, and maintenance teams to develop and implement improved process control strategies.
• Provide PCS expertise and better practices, both hardware and software, to internal stakeholders and external engineering partners.
• Support production operators and engineers in troubleshooting and maintaining automation components during project execution and commissioning.

Knowledge Management & Resource Coordination

• Ensure Novonesis PCS knowledge is maintained and strengthened through appropriate training and resource allocation.
• Identify, qualify, and manage external automation resources, ensuring delivery according to agreed time, cost, and quality.

Commissioning & On-call Support

• Provide 24/7 on-call support during trial production and commissioning phases to secure a safe and stable production start-up.

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Automation, Electrical / Control, Chemical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in industrial automation within process or manufacturing industries (e.g. food, pharma, biotech, chemicals).
• Strong PCS / DCS and PLC skills, including design and programming for industrial control systems.
• Solid technical foundation in industrial networks, I/O systems, control architectures, field instrumentation, and process control strategies (PID, interlocks, sequences, safety).
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, including effective cross-functional collaboration and proficiency in English (written and spoken).

What We Offer

• Hands-on involvement in impactful CAPEX and automation projects
• Exposure to global automation standards and cross-site collaboration
• A strong safety, quality, and compliance-driven culture
• Opportunities to grow technical and project expertise within a global biosolutions company
• A workplace where ownership, curiosity, and continuous improvement are valued

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career

The China Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL)

If you apply the position on this platform, it means you agree to authorize Novonesis to use your personal information for recruitment related activities and save it in the company's global recruitment system and server overseas. We will manage, use, and protect your personal information in accordance base on personal information protection laws and regulations, as well as Novonesis global privacy policy.

At the same time, we will also confirm with you by Email and phone. If you have any questions, please follow the “诺维信招聘” WeChat platform for more information.