Automation Area Lead – Utilities

QCS Staffing; North Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

QCS Staffing seeks an Automation Area Lead – Utilities for a life sciences client in North Carolina. The role centers on upstream manufacturing automation, leading DeltaV-based scope and coordinating with CQV, validation, and system integrators.

The candidate will review deliverables, drive risk mitigation, and ensure alignment with automation standards on large capital projects, including greenfield and brownfield initiatives.

Qualifications

• Strong Emerson DeltaV experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting utility systems such as WFI, clean steam, process gases, HVAC, compressed air, or waste systems.
• Experience leading automation execution for a process area, coordinating with engineering, CQV, validation, vendors, and system integrators.
• FAT, SAT, commissioning, qualification, and startup experience on greenfield and/or large brownfield capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the automation lead and primary point of contact for the Upstream manufacturing area.
• Drive execution of automation scope within established automation standards and system architecture.
• Coordinate activities between process engineering, CQV, validation, operations, OEMs, and system integrators.
• Review and approve automation deliverables, testing documentation, and design packages.
• Lead issue resolution, risk mitigation, and schedule coordination for assigned systems.

Skills

DeltaV expertise

Utility systems

Automation leadership

FAT/SAT startup

Job description

Automation Area Lead – Utilities – US, North Carolina – Initial 12-Month Contract – Life Sciences

Our client is a world‑leading pharmaceutical powerhouse, operating across more than 60 countries and driving innovation at every stage of the drug development lifecycle. This progressive, future‑focused organisation is now searching for an experienced Automation Area Lead to support the delivery of a high‑impact project based in North Carolina.

What You’ll Deliver

• Serve as the automation lead and primary point of contact for the Upstream manufacturing area.
• Drive execution of automation scope within established automation standards and system architecture.
• Coordinate activities between process engineering, CQV, validation, operations, OEMs, and system integrators.
• Review and approve automation deliverables, testing documentation, and design packages.
• Lead issue resolution, risk mitigation, and schedule coordination for assigned systems.

Experience required:

• Strong Emerson DeltaV experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing environment
• Experience supporting utility systems such as WFI, clean steam, process gases, chilled water, HVAC, compressed air, or waste systems
• Experience leading automation execution for a process area, including coordination with engineering, CQV, validation, vendors, and system integrators
• FAT, SAT, commissioning, qualification, and startup experience on greenfield and/or large brownfield capital projects