Automation Area Lead – Utilities

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

Job summary

QCS Staffing Ltd. seeks an Automation Area Lead for a utilities project based in North Carolina. This 12-month contract role focuses on Upstream manufacturing automation, coordinating across engineering, CQV, validation, and operations to ensure compliant, scalable system delivery.

The ideal candidate has strong Emerson DeltaV experience in pharma/biotech and a track record leading automation executions for process areas, including FAT/SAT and startup activities on large capital projects.

Qualifications

• Experience with Emerson DeltaV in pharmaceutical/biotech manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead automation execution for a process area.
• FAT, SAT, commissioning, qualification, and startup on 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

Emerson DeltaV experience

Automation leadership

Tools

Emerson DeltaV

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