Automation Project Manager

Pinnaql; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Validation & Engineering Group, Inc. in Rockville, MD is seeking an experienced Automation Project Manager to lead automation capital projects in a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment.

You will coordinate engineering, vendors, and cross-functional teams to deliver on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. The role requires a strong engineering or automation background, 8+ years of project management experience, and a proven track record in pharmaceutical/biotech

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, or related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation-related capital projects through planning, design, procurement, implementation, commissioning, and closeout.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, resources, risks, and deliverables to ensure successful execution.
• Coordinate engineering teams, system integrators, contractors, and vendors responsible for automation system upgrades, modifications, and migrations.
• Oversee projects involving building management systems (BMS), environmental monitoring systems (EMS), PLCs, historians, and process automation systems.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to align project activities with manufacturing operations, business priorities, and site requirements.
• Coordinate installation, system integration, testing, commissioning, validation activities with appropriate technical teams.
• Manage project dependencies, change controls, shutdowns, and planned outages to minimize disruption to ongoing manufacturing operations.
• Monitor project progress, resolve execution challenges, and proactively communicate risks, issues, and status updates to stakeholders.
• Ensure project activities and deliverables comply with GMP, safety, quality, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Oversee project documentation, including engineering deliverables, testing records, and final turnover packages.

Skills

Engineering background

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Industrial automation

GMP experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Siemens Desigo/BMS

COPA-DATA Zenon

Rockwell PLCs

Environmental monitoring systems

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.

We are seeking a talented, dedicated individual committed to work under the highest ethical standards for the following position:

Automation Project Manager

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Automation Project Manager to support an Automation Resilience Program within a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment in Rockville, MD.

This role will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering automation-related capital projects from initiation through commissioning and closeout. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in engineering or industrial automation, combined with demonstrated project management experience overseeing technical teams, contractors, budgets, schedules, and project deliverables.

The Automation Project Manager will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Automation, Operations, Quality, Validation, IT, and external vendors to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with site and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead automation-related capital projects through planning, design, procurement, implementation, commissioning, and closeout.

Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, resources, risks, and deliverables to ensure successful execution.

Coordinate engineering teams, system integrators, contractors, and vendors responsible for automation system upgrades, modifications, and migrations.

Oversee projects involving building management systems (BMS), environmental monitoring systems (EMS), PLCs, historians, and process automation systems.

Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to align project activities with manufacturing operations, business priorities, and site requirements.

Coordinate installation, system integration, testing, commissioning, qualification, and validation activities with appropriate technical teams.

Manage project dependencies, change controls, shutdowns, and planned outages to minimize disruption to ongoing manufacturing operations.

Monitor project progress, resolve execution challenges, and proactively communicate risks, issues, and status updates to stakeholders.

Ensure project activities and deliverables comply with GMP, safety, quality, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Oversee project documentation, including engineering deliverables, testing records, and final turnover packages.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, or a related technical discipline.

8+ years of experience in engineering, automation, controls, or related manufacturing environments, including demonstrated project management responsibilities.

Experience managing automation, controls, or engineering projects within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.

Strong understanding of industrial automation systems and their application within manufacturing facilities.

Demonstrated ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, contractors, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Experience coordinating commissioning, qualification, validation, and project turnover activities.

Experience executing projects within active manufacturing facilities, including coordination of shutdowns, outages, and change controls.

Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and project leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience managing automation-related capital projects or facility modernization initiatives.

Familiarity with Siemens Desigo/BMS, COPA-DATA Zenon, Rockwell PLCs, and environmental monitoring systems.

Knowledge of process automation, control system migrations, system integration, and data historians.

Experience with GMP computerized systems and associated validation requirements.

PMP certification or formal project management training.

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.