Automation Engineer (API, GenMed)

About the Job

Sanofi Manufacturing and Supply Organization is advancing its future through innovative automation and digitalization initiatives at the Jurong manufacturing facility. The site is focused on ensuring seamless, high-quality production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by leveraging modern Process Control Systems (PCS) and automation technologies. The Site Automation Engineer plays a critical role in supporting projects, system maintenance, and process reliability while upholding regulatory, safety, and quality standards.

The Automation team at Sanofi Jurong is responsible for maintaining operational excellence, system validation, plant modifications, and lifecycle management of control systems. The team works closely with internal stakeholders, global engineering, and external vendors to ensure systems are robust, compliant, and continuously optimized to support cGMP manufacturing.

The Site Automation Engineer is expected to be hands-on with process control systems, instrumentation, PLC/SCADA troubleshooting, and system validation. This role ensures automation infrastructure supports production requirements, contributes to cross-functional projects, and maintains compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory expectations.

Duties & Responsibilities

Process Control & System Management:

• Provide out-of-office hours technical support to rectify automation issues and queries as per production requests.

• Manage and monitor all Process Control Systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA) and infrastructure supporting process operations.

• Monitor and test application performance to identify potential bottlenecks, propose solutions, and work with developers to implement fixes.

• Maintain cybersecurity, system backups, redundancy, and critical spares for automation-related components.

• Perform routine and preventive maintenance to ensure 24x7 availability of systems for production operations.

Project Execution & Validation:

• Coordinate and execute computerized system validation tasks for change controls and projects.

• Execute plant modifications and system upgrades, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with project schedules.

• Estimate, track, and complete multiple projects simultaneously while liaising with production, project teams, and contractors.

• Follow Plant Modification Request (PMR) procedures to ensure compliance with site standards.

• Drive innovation in automation and controls to improve plant operations, throughput, and compliance.

Documentation & Compliance:

• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, including design, control system qualifications, and validation reports.

• Ensure systems remain in a validated state according to cGMP, computerized system validation standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Support management of change programs to comply with site, regulatory, and statutory requirements.

• Ensure the site’s compliance metrics (safety and quality) meet or exceed corporate and site standards.

Support & Troubleshooting:

• Serve as escalation contact for production issues, leading investigations, CAPA, and change controls.

• Provide consultation to manufacturing teams from technical and operational perspectives.

HSE & Site Culture:

• Proactively ensure adherence to HSE standards, Life Saving Rules (LSR), and site safety protocols.

• Embrace a zero-incident mindset and practice safe engineering operations.

• Maintain a safe and healthy work environment, complying with legal codes, regulations, and Sanofi’s Code of Conduct.

• Foster collaborative and respectful relationships across teams and departments.

Experience & Pre-Requisites

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineering, or a related discipline.

• 5–7 years of experience handling process control system maintenance and automation projects in a cGMP environment.

• Hands-on experience with Emerson DeltaV DCS preferred.

• Expertise in instrumentation, PLC/SCADA troubleshooting, and computerized system validation.

• Knowledge of GAMP software lifecycle, ANSI/ISA-S88, ISA-S95 standards, and safety requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, work cross-functionally, and build collaborative relationships with internal teams and external vendors.

• Proficient in English communication, both oral and written, including technical documentation.

• Ability to proactively identify system/process improvements, support production operations, and ensure compliance with HSE, quality, and regulatory standards.