Automation Lead

HR Works; Puerto Rico; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HRworks GmbH in Puerto Rico seeks an Automation Lead to provide technical leadership for a large-scale pharmaceutical project. You will oversee a team of automation professionals across equipment-level and enterprise-level systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

This senior role requires strategic technical leadership and hands-on support as needed. The position involves managing cross-disciplinary teams, coordinating with engineering, manufacturing, validation, IT, and other

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• Extensive experience in industrial automation within pharma/biotech/life sciences.
• Strong expertise in equipment-level and enterprise-level automation systems.
• Proven experience leading and managing technical automation teams.
• Experience with multidisciplinary engineering teams in highly regulated environments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide technical oversight to a team of 8-10 automation professionals throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee automation activities involving equipment-level control systems and enterprise-level automation solutions.
• Provide technical direction to ensure successful automation deliverables.
• Resolve sophisticated automation challenges and coordinate with other project disciplines.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and support timely issue resolution.
• Collaborate with leadership to align automation work with project objectives.

Skills

Industrial automation

Team leadership

Automation systems

Regulated environments

Analytical skills

Communication

Onsite availability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical, Computer Engineering

Job description

Location: Metro North Area, Puerto Rico
Industry: Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences
Employment Type: Long-Term Project (3-5+ Years)
Start Date: Immediate
Work Arrangement: Initially Remote / Onsite Required Beginning Mid-2027

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Automation Lead to provide technical leadership and oversee automation activities for a large-scale pharmaceutical project in Puerto Rico.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background in industrial automation, extensive experience with equipment-level and enterprise-level automation systems, and demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary technical teams in complex, highly regulated manufacturing environments.

This position offers a long-term opportunity to play a key leadership role in a major pharmaceutical initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and provide technical oversight to a team of approximately 8-10 automation professionals throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee automation activities involving both equipment-level control systems and enterprise-level automation solutions.
• Provide technical direction and guidance to ensure successful execution of automation deliverables.
• Manage complex automation challenges, troubleshoot technical issues, and develop effective solutions.
• Coordinate automation activities across engineering, manufacturing, validation, IT, and other project disciplines.
• Ensure automation systems and deliverables align with project specifications, quality requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Monitor project progress, identify technical risks, and support the timely resolution of critical issues.
• Collaborate with project leadership and key stakeholders to ensure alignment with overall project objectives.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Extensive experience in industrial automation, preferably within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industries.
• Strong technical expertise in equipment-level automation and enterprise-level automation systems.
• Proven experience leading and managing technical automation teams.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee complex automation projects and resolve sophisticated technical challenges.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering teams in highly regulated environments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to provide both strategic technical leadership and hands-on technical support when required.
• Availability to work onsite in the Metro North area of Puerto Rico beginning mid-2027.

Project Details

• Duration: Long-term project with an anticipated duration of 3-5+ years.
• Start Date: Immediate, upon selection of a qualified candidate.
• Location: Metro North Area, Puerto Rico.
• Work Arrangement: Remote support may be available during the initial project phase. Onsite presence will be mandatory beginning mid-2027.