About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott in Ireland

Abbott has been operating in Ireland since 1946 and serves the Irish market with a diverse range of healthcare products including diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. In Ireland, Abbott currently employs about 6,000 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo.

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division Cootehill Cavan

Abbott Nutrition produces a range of infant formulae in all pack sizes under the brand name “Similac”. To complement the range of “Similac” infant formulae, the facility also manufactures a range of follow on formulae under the brand name of “Gain”. The essential ingredient is liquid skim milk and this is combined with carbohydrate, vegetable oils, vitamins and minerals. The product is blended, pasteurised, dried and packaged at the site and once packaged, is distributed to Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Canada.

Established in 1975, Abbott Nutrition in Ireland is the largest powder manufacturing facility for the production of infant formulae within the Abbott Corporation worldwide. Approximately 1,000 dairy farms in Ireland and Northern Ireland supply quality milk to the Cootehill facility which processes 500,000 litres per day. This secure supply together with Ireland’s reputation as a green, clean environment is of significant strategic importance to Abbott Nutrition.

Role Summary

• Opportunity for a highly skilled Senior Automation Engineer with a minimum of 5+ years’ experience in automation or OT (operational technology) within a manufacturing environment to join our team supporting the implementation of OT projects at Cootehill.

• Responsible for the design, development, integration, and maintenance of automated systems in a cGMP-regulated environment.

• Ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with PLC/SCADA, process and equipment automation, PCS/BMS systems, and strong familiarity with GxP expectations.

1. Main Responsibilities

Operational Technology (OT) / Automation Strategy

• Support the development of the site OT Strategy and Roadmap, ensuring automation systems align with site needs.

• Apply OT and automation standards across the site and promote a consistent, standardised approach.

• Automation System Support/Troubleshooting & Cyber Role

• Support the maintenance and reliability of SCADA and related OT systems.

OT Project Governance

• Ensure OT/automation work—internal or vendor‑delivered—meets site strategy, standards, and compliance requirements.

• Oversee technical design reviews and support testing, delivery, and validation activities.

Automation Engineering

• Lead and be accountable for the design, integration, and hands‑on technical work for new equipment and automation improvements, including mapping existing PLCs.

• Develop and optimise automated processes to improve operational efficiency and data quality.

• Provide input to automation‑related validation documentation and quality requirements.

2. Knowledge, Abilities & Experience

Technical Knowledge

• 5+ years of experience in a technology function within an operations/manufacturing environment.

• Experience working with automation systems in a cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment.

• Experience in delivering and managing automated systems, with working knowledge of the GAMP software development lifecycle.

• Knowledge of FDA cGxP and 21 CFR Part 11; understanding of software system validation is desired.

• Hands-on experience with Siemens PLCs, SCADA systems, and AVEVA (OSIsoft) PI Data Historians.

• Experience coordinating external automation/OT vendors and integrators to deliver high‑quality technical solutions, accountable to site OT standards and technical requirements.

• Proficiency with SharePoint, Power BI, and digital collaboration tools, preferred.

• Basic understanding of GRC / information security principles is an advantage

Abilities & Soft Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to communicate sophisticated business/technical challenges in a simplified manner.

• Ability to influence, collaborate, and support change in a developing digital environment.

• Hands-on mindset, comfortable working directly with equipment, PLCs, and the manufacturing floor.

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Strong project management ability, including planning and prioritisation.

• Well organised with a strong digital mindset.

• Familiarity with structured continuous improvement, problem solving and project management approaches.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, take direction, and provide proactive support.

• Open-minded and adaptive to change; promote collective team interests and resolve problems respectfully.

• Maintains validated systems, documentation integrity, and audit readiness.

• Able to contribute to cross-functional efforts introducing practical digital tools and improving data visibility.

Accountability / Scope

• Considerable and continual care and attention is needed to avoid substantial damage to equipment.

• Continual attention needed to ensure the plant reaches its annual production plan. Loss in production and output may result from lack of care.

• Failure to exercise due care could cause repeated small losses or occasional damage.

• Non-compliance could result in accidents and non-validated product reaching the market.

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