MES Engineer

Purpose

The MES Engineer ensures the reliable implementation, operation and continuous improvement of the Manufacturing Execution Systems across the manufacturing sites globally. The aim is to guarantee that production processes are supported by stable, compliant, and well‑integrated MES solutions that meet the needs of plant operations, quality, and supply chain.

Place in the Organisation

Reports to: MES Application Owner

Collaborates with:

• Local Plant and Production Managers
• End User (shopfloor workers)
• Process and Quality Engineers
• OT System Engineers and OT SCADA Engineers
• IT Infrastructure and IT Application teams (SAP)
• Regional Operational Excellence team
• External MES vendors and system integrators
• Global and regional project teams

Back up: Other MES Engineer(s) within the OT MES team

Dimensions of the Job

The MES Engineer operates in a multinational chemical manufacturing environment with multiple production sites across different countries and regions. The role combines day‑to‑day operational support with project‑based implementation work.

The position requires regular interaction with plant‑floor users (operators, shift leaders, production managers) as well as corporate IT and engineering functions. Travel to local plants for deployments, upgrades, and on‑site support is expected (estimated 20–40% of working time, depending on the project portfolio).

The role is both operational and project‑oriented, with a strong focus on user support, change management, system reliability, local plant implementations, and compliance with chemical industry regulations and customer requirements. It also requires professional coordinating of external vendors and system integrators, reviewing deliverables, and managing escalations.

Decision‑Making Powers

The MES Engineer may propose technical solutions and configuration changes within the MES domain. Changes to production‑critical systems require approval from the MES Application Owner.

The MES Engineer has authority to prioritise and resolve day‑to‑day support tickets within agreed service levels.

Key Result Areas

RESULT AREA 1: User Support and Incident Resolution

• Provide second‑line and third‑line support for MES‑related incidents and user queries. First line of support is provided by the OT‑Support Team.
• Diagnose and resolve MES system issues, including configuration errors, interface failures, and data inconsistencies.
• Coordinate with IT/OT infrastructure, automation teams, and vendors for escalated issues.
• Maintain and update the MES knowledge base, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides for plant users.
• Monitor MES system health and proactively address recurring issues.

RESULT AREA 2: Change Management and Follow‑Up

• Receive, log, and assess change requests from plant users, production management, and quality teams.
• Perform impact analysis on proposed changes (technical, operational, regulatory).
• Implement approved changes through configuration, scripting, or module adjustments.
• Coordinate testing (unit, integration, user acceptance) with plant stakeholders before deployment.
• Follow the company’s change management procedures, including documentation and sign‑off.
• Track and report on change request status to the MES Application Owner.

RESULT AREA 3: Local Plant Implementation and Rollout

• Lead or support MES rollouts at new and existing plant sites, including greenfield and brownfield deployments.
• Adapt the global MES template to local plant requirements (recipes, equipment, workflows, regulatory specifics).
• Conduct site assessments to understand local production processes, infrastructure, and integration needs.
• Perform small technical adjustments and test execution.
• Coordinate with local plant teams, automation engineers, and IT to plan and execute deployments.
• Deliver on‑site commissioning, operator training, and hypercare support during and after go‑live.
• Document site‑specific configurations, deviations from the global template, and lessons learned.

RESULT AREA 4: System Integration and Data Integrity

• Maintain and troubleshoot interfaces between MES and automation systems (PLCs, SCADA, DCS, historians).
• Support integration with ERP (SAP) for production orders, material consumption, batch records, and goods receipt.
• Ensure data integrity and consistency across system layers, including master data alignment.
• Support integration with LIMS, QMS, and other plant systems as required.

RESULT AREA 5: Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain up‑to‑date system documentation (configuration records, interface specifications, SOPs).
• Contribute to validation documentation (URS, FDS, DDS, test protocols, traceability matrices) as required by GMP or chemical safety regulations.
• Ensure MES configurations comply with relevant standards (ISA‑95, ISA‑88, FDA 21 CFR Part 11 where applicable).
• Support internal and external audits related to MES systems.
• Follow agreed templates, methodologies, and documentation standards.

RESULT AREA 6: Delivery Within Agreed Time Frame

• Respect the planning of activities as defined by the MES Application Owner or Project Manager.
• Complete assigned tasks and support tickets within agreed service levels and time frames.
• Signal risks, delays, or deviations in a timely manner.
• Apply best practices to ensure quality and efficiency in execution.

Performance Criteria

Knowledge and Experience

Diploma: At least a professional bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, industrial automation, chemical engineering, or a related technical field.

Knowledge:

• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and ISA‑95 / ISA‑88 standards.
• Chemical manufacturing processes (batch, continuous, or hybrid production).
• System integration (OPC UA, MQTT, REST APIs, database connectivity).
• SQL and relational databases.
• Knowledge in object‑oriented coding (e.g. JAVA).
• Basic knowledge in SAP MM/PP.
• Automation systems (PLCs, SCADA, DCS) and their role in the manufacturing stack.
• ERP integration (preferably SAP PP/PI).
• GMP, chemical safety regulations, and quality management systems.

Experience: 2–5 years of experience in MES support, implementation, or administration in a manufacturing environment, preferably in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or process industry.

Running‑in period: Two months to get to know the company’s MES landscape, IT/OT architecture, and internal ways of working. Three to six months to be able to work independently on support, changes, and local plant implementations (through on‑the‑job training and site visits).

Successful candidate will make a full transition directly to our customer after some period of time.

Languages:

• English, spoken and written (required for multinational collaboration).
• Any other language is an asset (given the multinational plant footprint).

Skills and Attitudes:

• Results‑driven: Works consistently towards predefined objectives and persists in the face of routine obstacles.
• Problem‑solving thinking: Comes up with workable solutions for technical problems based on available information, system diagnostics, and user feedback.
• Technical expertise: Builds and applies deep knowledge of MES platforms, integration patterns, and chemical manufacturing processes.
• Service orientation: Responds to user needs with a helpful, professional attitude and a focus on minimizing production impact.
• Accuracy: Delivers work carefully and correctly, with attention to detail and completeness.
• Information handling and management: Distinguishes relevant from non‑relevant information and manages information in a structured way.
• Stakeholder management: Communicates effectively with plant‑floor operators, engineers, OT and IT teams, and management at different levels.
• Initiative: Shows willingness to learn, improve, and take ownership of assigned tasks.
• Flexibility: Willing to travel to plant sites and adapt to different local production environments and cultures (up to 40%).
• Act in line with the quality system.
• Cross‑cultural collaboration across different regions, countries and languages.
• Structured and methodical: Approaches configurations, changes, and testing with discipline, traceability, and compliance awareness.

AG Solution is an Equal Opportunity Employer.