OT Automation Engineer

Location: Torre Annunziata (NA), Italy. 12 days/month in office. Internal job title: Automation Engineer. This role is based in Torre Annunziata (NA), Italy. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

About The Role

As an OT Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in overseeing the integration of shop floor equipment with IT and OT systems across various domains. Your main responsibility will be to ensure the efficient flow of data from the shop floor to the enterprise level. Working alongside a team of experts, you will coordinate and implement the necessary middleware setup to facilitate data transfer, define data points based on specific business requirements and industry best practices, oversee end‑to‑end interface configuration, and conduct thorough interface qualification processes. Your goal will be to establish and maintain operational stability throughout the integration process.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for detailed design, development, delivery and qualification of IT/OT system solutions and their integration for a given project/use case, in alignment with defined solution architecture, and create the detailed process designs necessary to operate the solution on a day‑to‑day basis.
• Execute project‑related activities in accordance with the lifecycle, budget, schedule and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver technical solutions to manufacturing sites.
• Ensure designs produced adhere to solution architectural design, roadmap and support the development, execution and operations of software/service.
• Facilitate peer reviews and obtain business sign‑off for detailed designs.
• Consider the overall user experience when designing and implementing solutions and services.
• Take accountability for adhering to security and compliance policies.
• Support internal and external audits, if necessary.
• Maintain stable operations for implemented global IT/OT solutions.
• Contribute relevant inputs to the business case development process.

Essential Requirements

• 5+ years of technical experience in delivering global solutions to customers, preferably in the area of automation engineering in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of state of the art IT/OT infrastructures and architectures, IT/OT applications & tools.
• Knowledge of automation technologies and software platforms (e.g., SCADA, Historian, MES).
• Knowledge of industry standards and protocols for communication and data exchange in manufacturing operations (e.g., OPC, MQTT).
• Understanding of manufacturing operations and processes, with strong ability to leverage digital technology / big data.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Italian, with strong collaboration skills across boundaries and a curious mindset.

Desirable Requirements

• Working experience in a GxP environment.
• Experience in robotics.

Commitment To Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Benefits and Rewards

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