MES Reliability Engineer

About the Job

Job Summary

• The MES Reliability Engineer ensures the stability and performance of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to maximize operational value. This role serves as a bridge between development and operations teams, taking a proactive approach to prevent downtime, optimize system performance, and ensure the reliable operation of manufacturing systems that are critical to production.

Main Responsibilities

• Incident Management and Resolution
• Anticipate, Prevent and Lead incident response efforts to swiftly resolve MES service disruptions, minimizing impact on manufacturing operations
• Conduct thorough analyses of system failures and implement preventive measures to avoid future incidents
• Develop/ maintain/ follow standard operating procedures for incident response in manufacturing environments
• System Reliability and Availability
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure high availability and reliability of MES platforms/ applications/ systems
• Monitor system health, analyze performance metrics, and proactively identify and resolve potential issues before they impact production
• Establish and maintain system reliability standards and best practices specific to manufacturing environments
• Continuous Improvement
• Innovate and iterate on processes and tools to improve operational efficiency and system resilience
• Implement and optimize monitoring solutions to provide real-time visibility into MES performance and health
• Security and Compliance
• Ensure all MES systems and processes adhere to industry best practices, GMP requirements, and regulatory security standards
• Implement and maintain security measures to safeguard manufacturing data and systems against unauthorized access and cyber threats
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Management
• Work closely with Manufacturing, IT, Quality, and other stakeholders to align technical solutions with operational goals
• Serve as a subject matter expert in MES reliability engineering, providing guidance and support to teams across the organization
• Collaborate with vendors and technology partners to resolve complex system issues and implement improvements
• Learning and Development
• Stay current with the latest trends and technologies in reliability engineering, manufacturing systems, and software development practices
• Foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the manufacturing technology team
• Cross-Functional Coordination and Global Support
• Coordinate with Technology & Infrastructure teams to ensure seamless integration and operation of MES systems
• Collaborate with partners to address infrastructure gaps and optimize system performance
• Manage incidents including assignment, reporting, problem management, and P-task follow-ups
• Conduct thorough impact assessments for system changes and incidents
• Lead and coordinate application/infrastructure task forces across manufacturing sites worldwide
• Establish clear communication channels between technical teams and manufacturing operations globally
• Expected Outcomes
• Achieve and maintain MES system uptime and reliability targets defined by organizational objectives and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
• Reduce the frequency and duration of MES-related incidents and downtime that impact manufacturing operations
• Streamline deployment processes for MES updates and enhancements, ensuring minimal disruption to production
• Enhance system security and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards

About You

• Experience
• 8+ years of experience in reliability engineering in Manufacturing context
• Demonstrated experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and GxP regulated environments
• 5+years Hands-on experience with MES platforms, specifically Siemens OPCenter EXPH or Werum PAS-X
• Experience working in global, multi-site manufacturing organizations

Education

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related technical field

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of MES architecture, interfaces, and integration
• Proficiency in ITIL standards and Service Management processes including Incident Management, Problem Management, Change Management, and Release Management
• Advanced troubleshooting skills with ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions
• Knowledge of installation and upgrade procedures for MES systems
• SNOW and monitoring systems
• Experience with digital technologies including AWS or Azure cloud environments, containers, microservices, and DevOps practices
• Working knowledge of infrastructure technologies and services including:
• Network administration
• Windows system administration
• Database management (Oracle and PostgreSQL)
• Mendix low-code development platform
• Scripting capabilities for automation and system management
• Industry Knowledge
• Understanding of GMP requirements, regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical manufacturing and computer system validation, data integrity principles
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and workflows,

Soft Skills

• Strong customer/user orientation with focus on service excellence
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure during system incidents
• Strong communication skills with ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Coordination with worldwide teams (vendor, partners)
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional team environments
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and as part of a global team

Preferred Qualifications

• ITIL certification
• Experience with Industry 4.0 concepts and digital transformation in manufacturing
• Good knowledge of containerization technologies and microservices architecture
• Language:
• Fluency in English, additional language is a plus
• Working Environment:
• Flexibility to contribute occasionally on operations out of working hours
• Global, matrix organization environment
• Must be able to work effectively across different time zones and cultures.