Lead Automation Engineer

United States Digital Space LLC; Maharashtra; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Canteen facility

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Lead Automation Engineer to oversee the entire automation scope for a Greenfield facility. You will own the automation packages, drive design reviews, and coordinate with OEMs and system integrators to ensure timely procurement and installation.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, schedule, and cost control, with hands-on responsibility for FAT, SAT, and commissioning activities in a pharma/biotech or similar regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with automation focus.
• Proven track record in industrial automation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management from Basic to Detailed Engineering.
• Own automation package execution including DCS, PLC, SCADA systems.
• Plan FAT/SAT and commissioning for both continuous and batch systems.
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across all activities.

Skills

Automation engineering

DCS/PLC/SCADA

ISA-88/95 Batch

Batch management

FAT/SAT/Commissioning

GMP/Regulatory

Leadership

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's in Instrumentation/Electrical/Automation

Tools

ABB 800xA

ABB Batch Manager

Batch Executive

Emerson

Job description

Job Description

Lead Automation Engineer to manage and deliver the complete automation scope for a Greenfield manufacturing facility, from Basic Design through Detailed Engineering, Procurement Support, Installation, FAT, SAT, Commissioning, and Handover.

The role requires strong technical and leadership experience in industrial automation systems with clear accountability for Safety, Quality, Schedule, and Cost. The Lead Automation Engineer will act as the single-point owner for automation packages, manage delayed package recovery, and control Scope Change Orders (SCOs) related to automation.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Design Management (Basic to Detailed Engineering)

Lead Basic and Detailed Automation Engineering activities with OEMs, system integrators, and internal SMEs.

Ensure completeness and quality of P&IDs, Control Narratives, I/O Lists, Instrument Index, Logic Diagrams, and HMI philosophies.

Leading an area with a team - setting direction, planning, execution & handover.

Review and approve automation deliverables for constructability, operability, maintainability, and compliance.

Drive Design Reviews and ensure outputs support timely procurement and installation.

Automation Package Execution (DCS / PLC / SCADA / Batch Systems)

Act as technical owner for automation systems including DCS, PLC, SCADA, EMS, and Batch Management systems as applicable.

Define and review Batch Automation architecture in line with ISA-88/95 standards.

Act as subject matter expert in own discipline.

Supervise and develop functional specifications of complex units.

Lead implementation of Batch Manager / Batch Executive systems including recipe design, master recipes, control recipes, and equipment models.

Supervise and develop DCS application coding based on programming standards and design guidelines.

Coordinate with Process owners for software development, batch configuration, documentation, licenses, and spares.

Ensure alignment of automation and batch system deliveries with project schedule and construction readiness.

Installation, FAT, SAT, and Commissioning Support

Plan, execute, and lead Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for both continuous and batch automation systems, including recipe testing and batch execution scenarios.

Support site installation activities such as panel installation, cabling, loop checks, and system power-up.

Lead or support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), batch logic testing, interlock verification, and commissioning activities.

Support batch process dry runs, water batches, and process simulation prior to live production.

Ensure structured automation and batch system handover including as-built documents, recipes, backups, passwords, and operator training.

Safety, Quality, and Compliance Assurance

Enforce strict adherence to EHS protocols at all phases — zero compromise on safety.

Ensure implementation of QA/QC standards, including ITPs, checklists, audits, and NCR closures.

Coordinate with Safety and Quality teams to ensure all works meet regulatory and internal standards.

Schedule Control (Non-Negotiable)

Own automation milestones within the Integrated Master Schedule.

Develop and track 2W / 4W / 6W look-ahead schedules for automation engineering, FAT, SAT, and commissioning.

Identify schedule risks early and drive recovery plans for delayed automation packages.

Cost Control and Scope Change Order (SCO) Management

Monitor automation package costs against approved budgets.

Evaluate technical impact of scope changes, design modifications, and recovery actions.

Act as automation focal point for SCO documentation, justification, impact analysis, and approvals.

Risk Management & Early Forecasting

Maintain a live project risk register with active mitigation plans.

Proactively identify interface risks with Process, Electrical, Instrumentation, IT/OT, Utilities, and Validation teams.

Escalate risks that could impact commissioning readiness or plant start-up timelines.

Project Governance & Stakeholder Management

Organize and lead status meetings, design reviews, site reviews, and cross-functional syncs.

Coordinate with vendors, consultants, internal teams, and Global Team.

Repair and present weekly and monthly automation status reports, dashboards, and recovery trackers.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumentation, Electrical, Electronics, or Automation Engineering.

Minimum 10–15 years of experience in industrial automation project execution.

Proven experience in Greenfield projects from design through commissioning.

Strong working experience with PLC/DCS/SCADA systems (ABB 800xA, Emerson or equivalent).

Proven experience in Batch Automation and Batch Management systems (ISA-88/95), including recipe configuration, unit procedures, phases, and batch execution.

Process engineering knowledge for liquid systems (pumps, valves, CIP/SIP).

Knowledge of ABB800xA system, ABB Batch manager, PCDL, PCEL libraries is an added advantage.

Strong Design/functional specification (CM, EM & Phases class) Experience & application development for recipes would be preferable.

Hands‑on experience in FAT, SAT, commissioning, IQ, OQ and vendor coordination.

Familiarity with EPCM project execution models and engineering documentation workflows.

Candidate Profile

• Experience executing automation and batch automation projects in Pharmaceutical, API, or Biologics environments.
• Strong hands‑on experience in Process engineering, control and automation (PLC/DCS/SCADA).
• Strong hands‑on experience with Batch Manager, ISA-88/95 relevant industry standards.
• Proven experience in FAT, SAT, Commissioning activities.
• Proven experience in Batch recipe development, validation and qualification of batch lifecycle management.
• Understanding of GMP, regulatory, and validation requirements in pharma manufacturing.
• Software development & integration with MES/ERP.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex automation issues.
• Strong stakeholder communication, documentation, and leadership skills.

Key Delivery & Execution Priorities

• The project is on a fixed and aggressive schedule — any slippage impacts plant readiness, validation, and product launch.
• Managing multiple trackers/workstreams (Civil, MEP, Automation, Utilities, etc.) simultaneously without letting any critical path drift.
• Requires strong forecasting capability — can't rely on reactive firefighting.
• Must identify issues during design or procurement that may impact construction and commissioning months later.
• Controlling scope creep in a dynamic project where new requirements or technical changes are frequent.
• With timelines fixed, there’s a tendency for costs to elevate (e.g., fast‑track changes, late procurement, vendor claims).

Job Location

Patalganga MIDC (Near Panvel, Navi Mumbai)

Canteen Facility available.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.