Automation Manager

United Pharma; Oregon; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

United Pharma in Oregon seeks an experienced Automation Manager to lead automation engineering for a large-scale capital project. You will oversee the Automation PIT team, drive PLC controls architecture, and coordinate system integration across building and manufacturing systems.

The ideal candidate has strong Rockwell PLC experience, Fill-Finish equipment integration expertise, and a proven track record managing automation teams and vendors in GMP-regulated environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Instrumentation, or a related technical discipline.
• 10-15 years of experience in industrial automation and controls engineering, preferably in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong hands-on experience with PLC-based control systems, preferably Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley.
• Proven experience integrating Fill-Finish manufacturing equipment into facility automation systems.
• Strong understanding of controls architecture, instrumentation, industrial networks, and system integration.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation teams and managing vendors, OEMs, and engineering partners.
• Experience supporting large-scale pharmaceutical GMP capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of automation project execution, commissioning, startup, and system handover.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Automation PIT team, providing technical direction and project oversight.
• Oversee automation engineering activities across building systems and pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Drive PLC control system architecture, automation design, configuration, and system integration.
• Lead the integration of packaged Fill-Finish equipment with site-wide automation and control systems.
• Coordinate with equipment OEMs, automation vendors, engineering teams, and system integrators.
• Manage automation project execution from design and development through commissioning, startup, and handover.
• Ensure automation solutions meet project requirements, operational needs, and GMP compliance standards.
• Oversee controls design reviews, technical specifications, system interfaces, and implementation activities.

Skills

Automation leadership

Rockwell PLC

Vendor management

GMP compliance

Project oversight

Education

Bachelors in Electrical/Automation/Instrumentation

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Automation Manager to lead automation engineering activities for a large-scale pharmaceutical capital project in Oregon. This role will oversee the Automation PIT team and drive automation strategy, PLC controls architecture, system integration, and implementation across building and manufacturing systems. The ideal candidate will have strong Rockwell PLC experience, Fill-Finish equipment integration expertise, and a proven background managing automation teams and vendors in GMP-regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Automation PIT team, providing technical direction and project oversight.
• Oversee automation engineering activities across building systems and pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Drive PLC control system architecture, automation design, configuration, and system integration.
• Lead the integration of packaged Fill-Finish equipment with site-wide automation and control systems.
• Coordinate with equipment OEMs, automation vendors, engineering teams, and system integrators.
• Manage automation project execution from design and development through commissioning, startup, and handover.
• Ensure automation solutions meet project requirements, operational needs, and GMP compliance standards.
• Oversee controls design reviews, technical specifications, system interfaces, and implementation activities.
• Support large-scale capital projects, ensuring automation deliverables are completed within established timelines and budgets.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Instrumentation, or a related technical discipline.
• 10-15 years of experience in industrial automation and controls engineering, preferably in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong hands-on experience with PLC-based control systems, preferably Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley.
• Proven experience integrating Fill-Finish manufacturing equipment into facility automation systems.
• Strong understanding of controls architecture, instrumentation, industrial networks, and system integration.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation teams and managing vendors, OEMs, and engineering partners.
• Experience supporting large-scale pharmaceutical GMP capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of automation project execution, commissioning, startup, and system handover.