Automation Equipment Engineer

Randstad, as the EMEA Johnson & Johnson talent acquisition partner, is responsible for finding and contracting talent for the contingent roles at Johnson & Johnson. If you are selected for a role you will be engaged or employed by one of the Randstad recruitment companies in EMEA and will not be an employee of Johnson & Johnson.

Automation Equipment Engineer Contractor - Location: Courcelles EDC, Belgium - Duration: Start ASAP - contract initially running until March 31, 2028, with potential extension - Hours: 100% engagement, hybrid working model targeting at least 4 days per week on-site (increasing during installation, commissioning and SAT).

Imagine your next project leading the equipment design, integration, and commissioning of two strategic warehouse automation and right-sized packaging initiatives at a world-class MedTech European Distribution Centre, delivering high-impact operational transformation from specification through to site acceptance and operational handover.

Act as the dedicated Equipment & Systems SME / Automation Equipment Engineer for two strategic automation initiatives running in parallel at the J&J MedTech European Distribution Centre (EDC): Project Morpheus (401 Automation) and Automated Packaging. You will own equipment design, delivery, and reliable operation for both projects, from specification and design review through acceptance testing, commissioning, and handover to Operations. Working alongside the Systems SME, OEMs, Operations, EHS, and Quality, you will ensure the automated packaging solution and automation equipment meet capacity, safety, and quality requirements.

The role reports to the EMEA MedTech Engineering Senior Project Engineer, who retains accountability for project controls, cost reporting, and governance.

The project scope encompasses: 401 Automation: Goods-to-person storage and picking automation, including robots, workstations, vertical lifts, and conveyors, integrated with the warehouse control system. Automated Packaging: Right-sized automated packaging to support PPWR compliance, including machine infeed, verification and weigh checks, invoice insertion, label application, and routing to the existing sorter.

Roles and responsibilities: Define equipment specifications and capacity for both projects, including workstation and storage performance for 401 Automation and pack-size range for Automated Packaging. Assess right-sized packaging options, site layouts, and utilities with Operations and suppliers. Review mechanical, electrical, and PLC/HMI designs. Agree conveyor interfaces, machine handshakes, and fault recovery between 401 Automation, the packaging machine, and the existing sorter with the Systems SME and OEMs.

Lead machinery risk reviews with EHS and the OEM, confirming guarding, interlocks, and safe access. Support quality requirements and controlled engineering changes. Lead factory acceptance tests (FAT) and site acceptance tests (SAT) for both projects, travelling to OEM sites for FAT as required, while coordinating installation, commissioning, and closure of defects. Verify throughput, picking and packaging quality, and recovery. Define maintenance plans, critical spares, and operator training; transfer drawings and manuals; resolve recurring faults; and improve equipment availability.

Deliver equipment specifications for 401 Automation and Automated Packaging, covering capacity, pack-size range, layout, and utilities. Deliver interface definition between 401 Automation, the packaging machine, and the existing sorter, covering conveyors, machine handshakes, and fault recovery. Maintain design review logs for mechanical, electrical, and PLC/HMI designs. Complete machinery risk assessments and safety sign-offs with EHS. Produce FAT and SAT protocols, results, and defect closure logs for each project.

Generate maintenance plans, critical spares lists, training records, and handover packs for each project. Challenge OEM designs, lead acceptance testing, and own equipment performance through to handover rather than acting as a test witness.

How to succeed: Bring recommended seniority as a Senior Automation / Equipment Engineer (roughly 7-12+ years, with a baseline requirement of 8+ years) in automation or capital equipment engineering across packaging, material handling, distribution, or manufacturing. Demonstrate proven delivery of equipment from specification and design review through FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, and handover. Offer hands-on experience in logistics/warehouse automation (specifically automated packaging goods and equipment installation), a clear understanding of warehouse operations, and knowledge of Warehouse Control Systems.

Possess a strong mechanical and electrical background, with the ability to review PLC/HMI designs, machine handshakes, and fault-recovery logic. Apply practical machinery safety knowledge: risk assessment, guarding, interlocks, and safe access, applying EN ISO 12100, EN ISO 13849, and CE marking requirements. Demonstrate experience in a regulated, safety-critical, or quality-controlled environment, working within GxP, validation, and change-control constraints.

Maintain complete fluency in both English and French, with the ability to communicate clearly across Engineering, Operations, EHS, Quality, and OEMs. Commit to on-site presence of at least 4 days per week (increasing during installation, commissioning, and SAT), bring your own device (BYOD), and undertake travel to OEM sites for FAT (with no other general travel required). MedTech, pharmaceutical, GMP, or GxP experience is nice to have. Familiarity with automated or right-sized packaging, labelling, and print-and-apply equipment is advantageous.

Background with conveyors, sorters, AS/RS, AMR/AGV, or goods-to-person systems is beneficial. Exposure to Siemens or Rockwell PLC/HMI platforms is an asset. Experience with CMMS, reliability engineering, and FMEA is preferred. Machinery safety certification (e.g. TÜV FS or CMSE) or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt is valued.

Benefits: This role offers a very competitive hourly rate. This contract will run for until March 31, 2028, with potential extension.