Automation Project Manager

Pinnaql; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Validation & Engineering Group, Inc. in Rockville, MD, is seeking an Automation Project Manager to lead an Automation Resilience Program.

You will oversee automation engineering, testing, validation support, and documentation from design through closeout, working with Engineering, Automation, Operations, Quality, Validation, IT, and vendors. The role emphasizes coordination of testing, validation activities, and ensuring GMP compliance in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Controls, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in automation, controls, engineering, or related manufacturing environments.
• Experience in GMP-regulated environments and with commissioning, testing, qualification, or validation activities.
• Strong project execution and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from design and planning through implementation and closeout.
• Support modifications and improvements to BMS, COPA-DATA Zenon (CDZ), EMS, PLCs, and process automation systems.
• Coordinate engineering design, system integration, migration, controls modifications, and implementation activities.
• Develop and coordinate testing, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Support creation, execution, review, and approval of validation protocols in accordance with site requirements.
• Manage project schedules, risks, issues, change controls, work orders, and action items.
• Coordinate outages, shutdowns, dependencies, and implementation activities in an active manufacturing environment.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, safety, quality, and site procedures.
• Review and maintain engineering drawings, configuration records, test documentation, and as-built/turnover packages.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure successful project delivery.
• Proactively escalates risks impacting safety, compliance, schedule, quality, or operations.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Automation systems

GMP compliance

Validation testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Controls, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, or related field

Tools

Siemens Desigo

COPA-DATA Zenon

Rockwell PLC

EMS

Job description

Validation & Engineering Group, Inc. (V&EG) a Pinnaql company is a leading services supplier who provides solutions for the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Chemical, Food, and Medical Devices industries in the following areas: Laboratory, Compliance, Computer, Engineering, Project Management, Validation, and other services.

Automation Project Manager

We are seeking a Automation Project Manager to support an Automation Resilience Program in Rockville, MD. The selected candidate will lead and coordinate automation engineering, implementation, testing, commissioning, validation support, documentation, and project closeout activities. The role will work closely with Engineering, Automation, Operations, Quality, Validation, IT, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from design and planning through implementation and closeout.
• Support modifications and improvements to BMS, COPA-DATA Zenon (CDZ), EMS, PLCs, and process automation systems.
• Coordinate engineering design, system integration, migration, controls modifications, and implementation activities.
• Develop and coordinate testing, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Support creation, execution, review, and approval of validation protocols in accordance with site requirements.
• Manage project schedules, risks, issues, change controls, work orders, and action items.
• Coordinate outages, shutdowns, dependencies, and implementation activities in an active manufacturing environment.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, safety, quality, and site procedures.
• Review and maintain engineering drawings, configuration records, test documentation, and as-built/turnover packages.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure successful project delivery.
• Proactively escalates risks impacting safety, compliance, schedule, quality, or operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Controls, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in automation, controls, engineering, or related manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting automation projects in pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, or other GMP-regulated environments.
• Strong project execution and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with commissioning, testing, qualification, or validation activities.
• Experience working in active manufacturing facilities with controlled implementation/outage requirements.

Preferred Experience

• Siemens Desigo / BMS
• COPA-DATA Zenon
• Rockwell PLC / Controls
• Environmental Monitoring Systems (EMS)
• Process automation and system integration
• PLC/control system migration
• Automation architecture and data historization
• GMP computerized systems
• Commissioning and qualification

At Validation & Engineering Group, people always come first. We believe that when you're empowered to do your best work, bold ideas thrive and real progress happens. This isn't just a job - it's an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by shaping the future of healthcare and technology alongside a purpose-driven, supportive team.

Validation & Engineering Group is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.