Project Engineer - Process Equipment

• Location: Athlone, Ireland
• Team: Process Engineering / Capital Projects
• Equipment Scope: Upstream/Downstream processing, Fill-Finish, Washers, and Sterilisers.

1. Equipment Lifecycle Management

• User Requirement Specifications (URS): Translate operational needs into technical documents that tell vendors exactly what the machine must do.
• Vendor Liaison: Act as the daily point of contact for equipment manufacturers (OEMs), managing technical queries and schedule updates.
• Design Review: Lead 3D model reviews and P&ID walkthroughs for specific equipment skids to ensure they fit the space and meet Novo Nordisk standards.

1. Factory & Site Testing

• FAT/SAT Leadership: Travel to vendor sites globally to lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), ensuring the equipment works before it ships to Athlone.
• Installation Support: Supervise the physical /"rigging/" and positioning of equipment on-site, ensuring utilities (provided by the HVAC/Utilities Lead) are correctly connected.

1. Commissioning & Validation (C&Q)

• Protocol Execution: Write and execute the IQ (Installation Qualification) and OQ (Operational Qualification) scripts.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve /"snags/" or mechanical failures during the initial water-runs and media-fills.

The Process Equipment Landscape

Equipment Type

Typical Systems Involved

Upstream

Bioreactors, Media Prep tanks, Centrifuges.

Downstream

Chromatography columns, Ultrafiltration (UF/DF) skids.

Fill-Finish

Vials/Syringe filling lines, Lyophilizers (Freeze-dryers).

Support

Autoclaves, Parts Washers, CIP (Clean-in-Place) stations.

• Experience: 3-7 years in a highly regulated manufacturing environment (Pharma/Bio-Pharma is essential).
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of stainless steel fabrication, pressure vessels, and automated control systems (DeltaV/PLC).
• Mindset: Highly organized with a /"finisher/" mentality-someone who enjoys seeing a machine go from a drawing to a humming piece of production kit.

Education: B.Eng in Mechanical, Chemical, or Biomedical Engineering