Automation Project Manager

i-Pharm GxP; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

i-Pharm GxP is seeking a site-based I&C / Automation Project Manager to act as Owner's Representative for an Admin and Labs building on a large pharmaceutical campus in Lebanon, Indiana. You will be on the ground, walking installs, catching design and field issues, and driving resolution with contractors and vendors.

This hands-on role requires coordinating across Engineering, Construction, Operations, Quality, Validation, and Site Leadership to ensure systems meet drawings, specs, and

Qualifications

• Degree or certificate in Engineering or a related field.
• Proven I&C or automation project management experience.
• Working knowledge of building management systems, HVAC controls, and GMP process control.
• Experience on pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical construction projects.
• Genuine Owner's Representative capability: objective setting and driving to completion.
• Strong people skills; communication with contractors and client teams is essential.
• Creative, proactive problem solving to avoid delays.

Responsibilities

• Oversee transition of building systems from temporary to permanent control.
• Lead pre-commissioning to confirm systems function as designed.
• Construction oversight—ensure installation aligns with drawings, specs, and requirements.
• Review engineering documentation including P&IDs, specifications, procedures, and scope.
• Act as the central point of contact across Engineering, Construction, Operations, Quality, Validation, and Site Leadership.
• Identify and resolve technical issues through installation and operational phases; develop corrective actions.
• Provide design feedback from the field and escalate issues needing resolution.
• Cost control and capital budgeting, including capital requests and vendor negotiation.
• Enforce adherence to safety regulations across all electrical and instrumentation work.

Skills

I&C / automation project management

Building Management Systems knowledge

HVAC controls knowledge

Process control systems GMP experience

Owner's Representative capabilities

Strong communication skills

Creative problem solving

Education

Engineering degree or credential

Job description

Competitive pay w/$3500 expenses monthly

We are partnered with a leading pharmaceutical company in the construction and commissioning phase of a large-scale multi-building campus in Lebanon, Indiana. We are looking for a site-based I&C / Automation Project Manager to act as Owner's Representative for the Admin and Labs building.

This is a genuinely hands-on role. The client's controls and automation team is not site-based, which means you are the on-the-ground presence, walking the installation, catching design and field issues, and driving them to resolution with contractors and vendors.

Where the Building Is Right Now

Early days of turnover. Lab equipment is moving in, but the systems aren't fully under permanent control yet. Getting there is the job.

Priority order:

• HVAC controls - the immediate focus. Lab spaces have been running well above setpoint and need to be brought under stable control.
• Process control
• QBMS
• DeltaV process control system integration

Day to Day:

• Managing the transition of building systems from temporary to permanent control
• Working through pre-commissioning to confirm systems are functioning as designed
• Construction oversight - making sure installation aligns with drawings, specifications, and requirements
• Reviewing engineering and project documentation including P&IDs, specifications, procedures, and scope
• Acting as the central point of contact across Engineering, Construction, Operations, Quality, Validation, and Site Leadership
• Identifying and resolving technical issues through installation and operational phases, and developing corrective actions for system discrepancies
• Providing design feedback from the field and escalating issues that need resolution
• Cost control and capital budgeting, including capital requests, bid review, vendor negotiation, and keeping spend within approved limits
• Enforcing adherence to safety regulations across all electrical and instrumentation work

What We Are Looking For:

• Degree or certificate in Engineering or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience
• Proven I&C or automation project management experience — this is a requirement
• Working knowledge of building management systems, HVAC controls, and process control systems in a GMP environment
• Experience on pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical construction and expansion projects
• Genuine Owner's Representative capability: setting objectives, driving to completion, and holding vendors and contractors to them
• Strong people skills. This role involves constant interaction with contractors, vendors, and client teams. Communication is weighted as heavily as technical ability here.
• Creative, proactive problem solving, the role rewards people who find the issue before it becomes a delay