Automation & Controls Engineer

Gilder Search Group; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is sourcing an Automation & Controls Engineer for a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Indiana. The role focuses on startup, commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and ongoing operation of PLC-based controls, DeltaV, and BMS in a GMP-like environment.

We seek a candidate with 5+ years in industrial automation, strong PLC/BMS experience, and excellent cross-team communication. This is a multi‑year engagement supporting critical utilities with diverse vendor

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical, Controls or related field, or equivalent.
• 5+ years in industrial automation, controls, PLCs, BMS or facility automation.
• Hands-on troubleshooting of PLC-controlled equipment and systems.
• Experience with Rockwell/AB, Siemens or Modicon PLCs and DeltaV is a plus.
• Familiar with environment of GMP-like regulated manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, test, and support automation and control systems for manufacturing utilities.
• Support commissioning, startup, testing, and system turnover activities.
• Troubleshoot PLC logic, I/O, instrumentation, alarms, interlocks, and sequences.
• Support control systems for HVAC, water, compressed air, pumps, valves, and motors.
• Assist with testing involving Rockwell/AB, Siemens, Modicon, DeltaV, and BMS.
• Ensure systems meet GMP, safety, quality, and site procedures.
• Develop and execute test scripts and functional tests.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Facilities, Validation, Quality, and Operations.

Skills

Industrial automation

Controls engineering

Troubleshooting

Field testing

Documentation

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelors in Automation/Electrical Eng

Tools

Rockwell/AB PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Modicon PLCs

DeltaV

Johnson Controls BMS

Job description

Automation & Controls Engineer

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility

24+ Month Contract

Location: Indiana

Position Overview

A leading pharmaceutical manufacturing organization is building a Site Services Automation & Controls team to support the startup, commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and ongoing operation of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

This is a 24+ month engagement supporting critical facility and utility systems across PLC-based controls, DeltaV, and Building Management Systems (BMS). The engineer will work closely with Automation, Engineering, Commissioning, Facilities, Validation, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure systems are properly tested, integrated, documented, and ready for GMP manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, test, and support automation and control systems for pharmaceutical manufacturing utilities and facility infrastructure.
• Support commissioning, startup, functional testing, equipment checkout, and system turnover activities.
• Troubleshoot PLC logic, I/O, instrumentation, communications, alarms, interlocks, sequences, and equipment functionality.
• Support control systems associated with HVAC, water systems, compressed air, pumps, valves, motors, and other critical facility utilities.
• Assist with testing and verification activities involving Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Modicon, DeltaV, and BMS systems.
• Support environmental and facility control systems, including temperature, humidity, differential pressure, room pressure, air handling, and critical facility alarms.
• Develop and execute test scripts, troubleshooting procedures, and functional testing activities.
• Identify and resolve automation, controls, instrumentation, and communications issues in collaboration with engineering and site teams.
• Work directly with vendors, system integrators, engineering contractors, Facilities, Automation, and Operations personnel.
• Support punch-list resolution, system documentation, and turnover activities.
• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with applicable GMP, safety, quality, and site procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of experience with industrial automation, controls, PLCs, BMS, or facility automation systems.
• Hands‑on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment and industrial control systems.
• Experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Modicon PLCs preferred.
• Experience with DeltaV or another DCS platform is a strong plus.
• Experience with Johnson Controls BMS is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of control systems, instrumentation, I/O, alarms, interlocks, and industrial communications.
• Experience supporting commissioning, startup, qualification, or facility turnover activities.
• Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or other highly regulated manufacturing experience preferred.
• Ability to troubleshoot problems directly in the field and collaborate effectively with Engineering, Automation, Facilities, Validation, Quality, and Operations teams.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.