Automation Engineer (Manufacturing Support) at CAI (Limerick, Ireland)
CAI· Limerick, Ireland·
Role details
Job description
Automation Engineer (Manufacturing Support) CAI Overview Are You Ready? CAI is a professional services company established in 1996 that has grown year over year to nearly 800 people worldwide. For Life Sciences and Mission Critical industries that need to deliver critical solutions in high-stakes environments, we provide accelerated operational readiness and unparalleled performance at the highest standard through our rigorous approach, field-tested processes, and elite expertise developed over 30 years. Our approach is simple because our Purpose informs everything we do:
- We exist to be the trusted solution for our clients as they strive to build a better working world and improve the human experience. At CAI, we are committed to living our Foundational Principles, both professionally and personally:
- We act with integrity
- We serve each other
- We serve society
- We work for our future At CAI, we believe in a relentless dedication to excellence, pushing boundaries and surpassing expectations. From the beginning, we’ve challenged ourselves to do what others wouldn’t. Not just setting industry standards, but redefining them entirely. We are bold in our thinking and creative in our approach. We operate at the intersection of wisdom and technology and thrive when they come together with humanity. For us, operational readiness isn’t simply a goal. It’s a way of life. Because tomorrow demands to be at the forefront of today. We do this through tireless effort, precision, efficiency and an unwavering belief that there is always room for advancement. We’re not interested in how it used to be done. We’re obsessed with how it will be done.
Job Title: Automation Engineer (Manufacturing Support) Location: Limerick Contract Type: Permanent (Full-time)
Job Summary The Automation Engineer will provide technical automation support to GMP manufacturing and laboratory operations within a biopharmaceutical production environment. The role focuses on maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving automated systems and laboratory equipment to ensure reliable, compliant, and efficient operations. The Automation Engineer will act as the SME for automation systems, supporting equipment qualification, system testing, and implementation of new equipment across manufacturing and QC laboratories.
Key Responsibilities
Provide day-to-day automation support for manufacturing and laboratory systems. Troubleshoot automation issues impacting manufacturing processes and QC laboratory equipment. Support the qualification and automation readiness of laboratory and QC equipment. Act as the automation SME for new equipment introduction, supporting system testing, setup, and commissioning. Support automation change control activities across manufacturing and laboratory systems. Investigate automation-related deviations and support CAPA implementation. Collaborate with Manufacturing, QC, Engineering, Validation, QA, and IT teams to ensure systems remain compliant and operational. Support commissioning, qualification, and startup activities for new equipment and automation systems. Ensure automation systems operate in compliance with GMP and data integrity requirements.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Electrical, Electronic, or Computer Engineering (or related discipline). 3+ years’ experience in automation engineering within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or regulated manufacturing environment. Experience supporting manufacturing automation systems and laboratory/QC equipment. Experience managing or supporting change control processes in a GMP environment. Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Preferred
Experience supporting biopharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. Experience with equipment qualification and validation activities. Understanding of GMP, GAMP5, and data integrity requirements.
Other Requirements This is a site-based role. Must be able to commit to a minimum 40-hour work week, with flexibility based on project needs.
Why work at CAI
- Culture of teamwork and continuous improvement – employee testimonials highlight a supportive team environment and commitment to process excellence.
- Global, varied projects – work on high-impact projects for leading pharma and data center clients across 21 countries.
- Clear career growth – career/professional development opportunities, exposure to multiple disciplines (validation, automation, commissioning, human performance).
- Benefits package – comprehensive health insurance, paid time off, competitive 401(k) contribution, income protection, and additional local-region benefits.
- Remote/hybrid/office policy – roles vary; many positions are client-site based (e.g., commissioning engineers travel to data centers or manufacturing sites). Some office locations available.
- Engineering culture – strong focus on quality, problem-solving, and precision; ideal for engineers, validation specialists, and project managers who thrive in regulated environments.