Automation Engineering Graduate Programme

• Location: Waterford
• Full time on site with some opportunity to work from home
• Job type: 23-month Fixed Term Contract

About Waterford

For more than 20 years, our Waterford team has continued to grow and diversify to serve patients around the world. Today, a team of more than 800 work together at a state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical and medical device campus. Recognised through multiple local and national awards, Sanofi Waterford offers flexible working and access to a world of opportunities to grow your career at one location. As well as attractive benefits, the team enjoy access to an onsite gym and medical centre that underpin a strong commitment to health and wellbeing.

About the job

About our Graduate Programme:

As well as offering you a great start to your career in an attractive working environment with huge opportunities, our aim is to equip each graduate with the skills needed to be successful. The work you do will be no different from any other team member.  You will also receive formal development opportunities and specific training associated with our Graduate Programme.   We want you to succeed in Sanofi and you will be actively supported and mentored throughout the programme.

As an Automation Graduate Engineer, you will join our dynamic engineering team within a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. Your role will focus on supporting the automation needs across three key operational areas: Packaging  Auto Injector , Aseptic Filling Area Lyo , and Aseptic Filling Area mAbs . You will be involved in PLC and SCADA programming, Vision systems, and Motion controllers, working closely with established engineers to ensure optimal performance, troubleshooting, and issue resolution within these critical areas. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop your technical and project management skills in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

As well as working side by side with experienced team members and participating in projects and day to day team activities, you will also receive training designed to help you develop soft skills in a range of areas such as: presentation and communication skills, emotional intelligence, influencing and leadership skills. We support a variety of corporate and social responsibility activities and all Graduates participate in the Junior Achievement programme with local schools during the programme.

The programme starts on 1st September 2025 and last 2 years.

Main responsibilities:

• During the General Automation Projects rotation, you will be gaining foundational experience in learning and applying automation fundamentals, assisting in design and implementation, programming and configuration, data collection and analysis, equipment testing and commissioning, documentation and health and safety compliance
• During the Freezer Drying Facility (Lyophilization) Automation rotation you will focus on the automation of freeze-drying processes. Experience will include understanding freeze-drying process, control system configuration, sensor integration and monitoring, PLC programming for process control, alarms and fault management, energy efficiency optimization and process validation and documentation
• During the Sterile Syringe Filling Facility Automation rotation the focus will be on the highly regulated process of sterile syringe filling. You will gain experience in aseptic processing knowledge, automation of filling lines, integration o robotics, compliance with GMP, process validation and quality assurance, data integrity and traceability, preventative maintenance and calibration and risk management and faulty analysis,

About you

• Graduated in the past two years or due to graduate in 2025.
• A minimum 2.1 Primary Degree or Masters in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics or a related field.
• Basic knowledge of PLC programming (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or similar).
• Understanding of SCADA systems and their application in industrial automation.
• Familiarity with vision systems (e.g., Cognex, Keyence) and motion control technologies.
• Basic understanding of electrical control systems and instrumentation.
• Relevant work experience which can be cumulative, i.e., internship/work placement.
• The same sort of values as we do as well as a passion for healthcare.
• Demonstrated a record of a high level of performance and delivery.
• The ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Be a self-starter with the determination to succeed.
• Possess a record of high achievement and delivery.
• Ability to work in a team and on own initiative