Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

HireLifeScience; Elkton (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

HireLifeScience seeks an Entry-Level Automation Associate Specialist for our Elkton, VA campus. You will join a 24/7 manufacturing operation providing hands-on automation support on 12-hour rotating shifts.

You'll troubleshoot PLCs, DCS, and OEM platforms, contribute to yield, cycle time, and reliability improvements, and help maintain cGMP-compliant systems in a fast-paced pharmaceutical environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Science, or Business.
• Strong hands-on automation and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to work onsite in a 24/7 manufacturing setting.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on automation technical support across the site.
• Serve as initial point of contact for shop-floor automation calls.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, DCS, and OEM platforms.
• Diagnose and resolve issues affecting yield, cycle time, reliability.
• Maintain automation systems in compliance with cGMPs.
• Participate in process and equipment safety reviews.

Skills

Hands-on

Problem-solving

Team player

Onsite work

Education

Engineering degree

Science degree

Business degree

Tools

PLCs

DCS

OEM platforms

OSI-PI

DeltaV

Allen-Bradley

Job description

Job Description

Entry-Level Automation Associate Specialist

Location: Elkton, VA - 12-Hour Rotating Shifts

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity with a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturer? If so, this role offers a unique opportunity to launch your engineering career supporting highly automated, life‑saving manufacturing operations.

At our Elkton, Virginia campus, located in the Shenandoah Valley along the Shenandoah River and near the Blue Ridge Mountains, we are seeking entry‑level engineers to support and sustain manufacturing operations through hands‑on automation technical support in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Position Overview

This role is an operations‑focused, shop‑floor automation support position. The successful candidate will work 12-hour rotating shifts, serving as first‑line technical support for automated manufacturing systems that produce pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and vaccine products.

You will apply your technical skills, problem‑solving ability, and enthusiasm as part of a cross‑functional, multidisciplinary team responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hands‑on automation technical support across the manufacturing site while working 12‑hour rotating shifts (days/nights, weekends, and holidays as required)
• Serve as the initial point of contact for shop‑floor automation support calls
• Troubleshoot and support automation systems, including:
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
  • Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
  • Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) automation platforms
• Diagnose and resolve complex automation and equipment issues impacting:
  • Manufacturing yield
  • Cycle time
  • Reliability and uptime
• Maintain automation systems in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)
• Oversee investigations of automation anomalies and implement solutions to prevent recurrence

• Develop solutions for recurring automation problems and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide automation‑related training and technical guidance to operations and technical staff
• Write, review, and improve procedures for system administration and process operation
• Participate in process and equipment safety reviews
• Embrace and promote an empowered, diverse, and inclusive team culture

Education Minimum Requirement

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Science, or Business

Required Qualifications

• Strong technical and analytical problem‑solving skills with a hands‑on, field‑first mindset
• Ability to evaluate issues from multiple perspectives, including safety, compliance, maintenance, automation, equipment, process, and people
• Strong desire to succeed individually while helping others succeed as a team
• Enthusiastic, confident self‑starter with a passion for continuous learning
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability and expectation to work onsite in an operational manufacturing setting

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Degree focus in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, computer science, integrated science, or physics
• Prior experience in manufacturing, engineering, science, or military environments
• Familiarity with or interest in automated manufacturing systems and control platforms
• Exposure to:
  • Emerson DeltaV
  • Allen‑Bradley PLCs
  • OSI‑PI