Automation Engineer

Dormont Manufacturing Co; Zebulon (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Dormont Manufacturing Co in Zebulon, Georgia is seeking an Automation Lead with expertise in pharmaceutical fill/finish and packaging. This role involves leading automation strategy, interfacing with engineers and external contractors, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and over 5 years of experience in automation technology specifically in the pharmaceutical industry. Knowledge of SCADA, PLC programming, and control systems is essential.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge in automation technologies related to pharmaceutical processes.
• Proven experience in delivering automation projects ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Strong programming and troubleshooting skills for various automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects to meet business functional, cost, quality, and timeline requirements.
• Interface with site functions ensuring technology designs deliver agreed benefits.
• Train and support engineers in automation technologies.

Skills

Automation technology

Instrumentation

Control systems

SCADA

PLC programming

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Instrumentation, Controls, or related field

5+ years experience in automation within the pharmaceutical industry

Tools

SCADA (RSViewSE, iFix, Wonderware)

PLC (Rockwell, Siemens)

MES systems (Propack, Aspentech)

Job description

Position Summary

You will execute the major elements of the site Automation Strategy and provide Lead Process Automation expertise (Pharmaceutical Fill/Finish/Packaging) to the Zebulon site within a multi-disciplinary and extended team of Automation, Instrumentation, IT, Control engineers, external contractors and consultants. To successfully deliver compliant (financial, regulatory (e.g. cGMPs), GAMP) instrumentation, automation, business and control systems for new and existing pharmaceutical facilities, Building Management Systems and Environmental Monitoring Systems at Zebulon.

Responsibilities

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Maintain a detailed and expert knowledge of current and future automation technologies and be the site expert in a minimum of 3 of the following disciplines: Field Instrumentation, PLC, SCADA, Historians, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Virtualization and Integration Technologies – middleware, OPC, XML.
• Responsible for the delivery of high value automation projects to meet business requirements in terms of functionality, cost, quality and time.
• Provide process automation expertise and lead safety assessments where appropriate. Ensure compliance with all roles related GSK policies, procedures and local codes.
• Interface and build robust partnerships with key site functions including Production, Technical, Planning, Engineering and Quality to ensure technology designs deliver agreed benefits. Participate on area extended management teams as necessary and actively manage automation group requests from the business for support or new projects.
• Interface and partner with the GSK community of Shared Services, Centers of Excellence and other sites to contribute, share, and leverage technology and maintain standards as appropriate.
• Ensure performance management systems are in-use (Standard work) to manage individual priorities and responsibilities.
• Deliver measurement and control of Quality Critical Attributes (QCA) and help develop the associated Process Critical Control Points (PCCP) through use of appropriate control systems to ensure predictable and stable process operations.
• Provide training and support for onsite Users / Engineers in Automation technologies and applications.
• Provide subject matter expertise to regulatory inspections and interact with auditors as necessary.

Basic Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Instrumentation, Controls, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years detailed experience delivering Automation technology within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience with hands‑on programming and trouble‑shooting skills for Automation, Instrumentation and IT systems.
• Experience interfacing with operational and senior management within the organization.
• Experience with SCADA, MES integration, or industrial communications (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, OPC).

Preferred Qualification

• Understanding of FDA PAT initiatives and the impact on the Pharma industry.
• Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing experience; Black Belt or Green Belt desirable.
• Technical expertise in several scientific and engineering automation areas including ISA standards, P&ID nomenclature, instrumentation and electrical wiring diagrams, communication networks, control panels, HMI, MES (Propack, Aspentech), SCADA (RSViewSE, iFix, Wonderware), PLC (Rockwell, Siemens) Programming, Historians (Aspentech) and SAP.
• A sound understanding of Software testing (FAT / SAT) and commissioning procedures.
• A sound scientific and engineering understanding of pharmaceutical secondary processing, preferably in a pilot or manufacturing environment.
• Good knowledge of IT architecture management, data warehousing & implementation processes.
• Broad and in-depth knowledge and practical experience of computer and application validation (preferably using GAMP methodology), cGMPs, and 21 CFR Part 11 in an FDA regulated environment.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Working knowledge and understanding of EHS Practices with respect to the installation of automated plant.
• A good appreciation of FDA PAT initiatives and the impact on the Pharma industry.
• SPC techniques and applied application to improve / measure product manufacturing and quality.
• Proven track record in providing automation support and maintenance for instrumentation, automation and controls.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Work Arrangement

Please check the specific posting for the site of interest. Roles will be advertised as on-site, hybrid, or remote where applicable. This position may require occasional on-call support and travel to support project work.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.