AVEVA PI Engineer / Consultant

Cognizant; Ernakulam, Chennai District, Coimbatore District; Hybrid; INR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking an experienced AVEVA PI Engineer for a pharmaceutical client in a hybrid setting across India. You will design, implement, and support enterprise historian solutions, integrating manufacturing, QA and utilities with AVEVA PI to enable real-time monitoring and compliance.

The ideal candidate brings 5–10 years of PI experience in GMP environments, strong scripting skills, and expertise with PI Data Archive, PI AF, and PI Vision.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience as AVEVA PI Engineer in pharma/Life Sciences regimes.
• Strong hands-on experience with AVEVA PI Suite components (PI Data Archive, PI AF, PI Vision).
• Data integration from PLCs/DCS/SCADA via OPC UA/DA and Modbus.
• Experience with scripting (PowerShell, Python) and PI SDK/AF SDK.
• Familiarity with GMP, CSV/CSA, and data integrity in validated environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and support AVEVA PI Data Archive, PI AF templates, and PI Vision dashboards.
• Configure PI Interfaces for data acquisition from PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems.
• Develop data workflows and automated checks using scripts and PI SDK/AF SDK.
• Collaborate with pharma engineers to meet tagging, KPI, and analytics needs.
• Provide Tier 2/3 support and assist with PI System upgrades and DR planning.

Skills

AVEVA PI

OSIsoft PI

GxP knowledge

Python

PowerShell

PI Vision

OPC UA

Modbus

SQL

VMware virtualization

Tools

PI Data Archive

PI AF

PI Interfaces

PI Vision

PI SDK

Job description

Job Description

AVEVA PI Engineer / Consultant Pharmaceutical Client

Job Title

AVEVA PI Engineer / Consultant

Industry Domain

Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences (GxP-regulated Manufacturing)

Experience Required

5-10 years

Employment Type

Full-time

Location

Chennai/Bangalore/Kochi/Coimbatore - Hybrid

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced AVEVA PI (OSIsoft PI) Engineer with expertise in the Life Sciences/Pharmaceutical industry to design, implement, and support enterprise historian solutions. The candidate will be responsible for integrating manufacturing, laboratory, utility, and automation systems with the AVEVA PI System to enable real-time monitoring, data integrity, regulatory compliance, process optimization, and digital transformation initiatives.

The ideal candidate should possess strong knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, GMP regulations, data integrity requirements, and industrial automation systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain PI Data Archive, PI AF (Asset Framework), PI Vision, and PI Interfaces/Connectors to collect, contextualize, and deliver real-time process data.
• Build and manage AF templates, element hierarchies, event frames, and analyses to model plant assets and business logic.
• Configure and troubleshoot PI interfaces (OPC DA/UA, Modbus, custom interfaces) for data acquisition from PLCs, DCS, SCADA, and historians.
• Develop PI Vision displays, dashboards, and PI DataLink/Excel reports for operations, engineering, and management stakeholders.
• Write and maintain scripts (e.g., PowerShell, Python, PI SDK/AF SDK, PI Web API) to automate data workflows, integrations, and system health checks.
• Integrate PI System data with other platforms (MES, ERP, SQL/historian databases, cloud data lakes, Aveva Data Hub/Connect).
• Monitor system performance, data quality, and tag counts; perform capacity planning and license management.
• Support PI System upgrades, patching, backups, disaster recovery, and high-availability (PI Collective) configurations.
• Enforce cybersecurity best practices for OT/IT systems, including PI System security (mappings, identities, firewalls).
• Document architecture, standards, naming conventions, and data governance processes.
• Collaborate with process/controls engineers to identify new tagging, KPI, and analytics requirements.
• provide Tier 2/3 support and root-cause analysis for PI System issues.Required Technical Skillset
• Strong hands-on experience with AVEVA System Platform (Application Server / Galaxy, Historian, InTouch, Web Client / Operations Control).
• Working knowledge of AVEVA MES / AVEVA Batch Management, or exposure to integrating third-party MES/LIMS/ERP with SCADA layer.
• Proficiency in OPC UA/DA, Modbus, and native communication drivers for PLC/DCS integration
• Experience with scripting (QuickScript/VBScript) and object-oriented Galaxy template design.
• Understanding of network/OT architecture, redundancy, cybersecurity hardening (ISA/IEC 62443 awareness a plus), and virtualization (VMware) for industrial systems.
• Familiarity with SQL Server/reporting tools for Historian data extraction and dashboarding (AVEVA Insight / Reports is a plus).

Pharmaceutical / Regulatory Domain Expertise (Preferred)

• Sound knowledge of GAMP 5 computerized system validation (CSV/CSA) lifecycle and documentation practices.
• Working knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, and data integrity (ALCOA+) requirements.

Certifications (Preferred)

• AVEVA PI certification
• GAMP 5 / CSV training certification.

Soft Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong client-facing communication skills; ability to work directly with pharma quality, validation, and automation stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare and present technical estimations, proposals, and solution walkthroughs to client/hiring stakeholders.
• Strong documentation discipline suited to regulated/validated environments.
• Good analytical and troubleshooting skills for live plant support scenarios.