Automation Engineer - Life Sciences

TAI; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 135,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Annual Profit Sharing Bonus

PTO and Paid Holidays

Health Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

TAI is seeking a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer/Subject Matter Expert to provide technical leadership for industrial automation and control system projects in pharmaceutical and life sciences environments. You will oversee designs, evaluate technical solutions, and guide project teams to deliver compliant, reliable systems.

You’ll partner with engineering, construction and operations to shape automation strategies, review requirements, and ensure safety, quality, and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (Master’s degree preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• 8+ years of controls system design experience, including construction documentation.
• 3+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry.
• Experience designing, programming, and maintaining control systems and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of industrial control systems, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and field devices.
• Experience reviewing and approving electrical, control panel, and construction drawings.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (TCP/IP, Modbus, Profibus, etc.).
• Knowledge of hazardous area design, safety systems, and applicable industry standards.
• Understanding of GMP, ISPE, GAMP 5, and computerized system validation practices.
• Strong communication skills with experience collaborating with clients and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders to ensure business needs are reflected in project designs.
• Develop and review technical requirements, specifications, and design deliverables.
• Ensure designs meet safety, quality, compliance, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Support contractor selection, procurement activities, and technical package reviews.
• Provide technical guidance and design assurance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify opportunities to improve value, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Participate in project planning, meetings, and risk assessments.
• Review electrical aspects of mechanical, BMS, and EMS systems.
• Support redundancy, maintenance, and operational strategy development.
• Provide technical support and resolve issues during construction.

Skills

Controls system design

Communication with clients

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

PE license preferred

Tools

PlantPAx

Wonderware

iFIX

DeltaV

Siemens

SCADA

PLC programming

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer/Subject Matter Expert to provide technical leadership for sophisticated industrial automation and control system projects. In this role, you will oversee the development and assurance of control system designs, evaluate technical solutions, and guide project teams to deliver reliable, compliant, and efficient systems. You’ll play a key role in shaping automation strategies across pharmaceutical and life sciences manufacturing environments while partnering with engineering, construction, and operations teams.

About TAI

TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on‑site services, and technical services — combining proven execution with trusted expertise to support clients across the entire project lifecycle. Team members at TAI are capable, well‑rounded, flexible, and optimistic. We have found that the best employees are the ones who recognize the importance of what they do and the ones who let that guide them in the actions they take. More than any skill, we seek people who make decisions that support the common good. We work for our clients, and we work for one another.

Here’s a Glimpse Into Your Day To Day

• Partner with stakeholders to ensure business needs are reflected in project designs.
• Develop and review technical requirements, specifications, and design deliverables.
• Ensure designs meet safety, quality, compliance, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Support contractor selection, procurement activities, and technical package reviews.
• Provide technical guidance and design assurance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify opportunities to improve value, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Participate in project planning, meetings, and risk assessments.
• Review electrical aspects of mechanical, BMS, and EMS systems.
• Support redundancy, maintenance, and operational strategy development.
• Provide technical support and resolve issues during construction.
  

You’ll Be a Perfect Fit If You Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (Master’s degree preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• 8+ years of controls system design experience, including construction documentation.
• 3+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry.
• Experience designing, programming, and maintaining control systems and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of industrial control systems, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and field devices.
• Experience reviewing and approving electrical, control panel, and construction drawings.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (TCP/IP, Modbus, Profibus, etc.).
• Knowledge of hazardous area design, safety systems, and applicable industry standards.
• Understanding of GMP, ISPE, GAMP 5, and computerized system validation practices.
• Strong communication skills with experience collaborating with clients and contractors.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with PlantPAx, Wonderware, iFIX, DeltaV, Siemens, Omron, Modicon, Mitsubishi, or similar platforms.
• Experience with SCADA systems, SQL, and data historians (e.g., AVEVA PI System).
• Experience with acceptance testing and system qualification.

Compensation And Benefits

• Pay: $135,000-185,000 annually (depending upon experience).
• Eligible for overtime pay
• Annual Profit Sharing Bonus (variable)
• PTO and Paid Holidays
• Health Benefits: Employee through family level coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurances. Company funded life and long-term disability insurances. Short Term Disability, FSA, HSA, EAP, and supplemental life insurances (employee – family) are also available!
• 401(k)with employer match
  

Other Offerings

• The opportunity to make a real impact on a variety of industry‑leading projects.
• The ability to balance your work and family activities.
• Flexible work schedule
• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment that values creativity and innovation.
• A chance to learn and grow alongside some of the brightest minds in engineering.
• Professional Development, Tuition Reimbursement, and Association Membership Reimbursements.
  

Discover what makes TAI a top‑20 manufacturing partner, according to Engineering News‑Record (ENR), and one of the top‑50 fastest‑growing private companies in the Baltimore Business Journal. Learn more about us at https://www.tai.inc/