Biopharma Automation Engineer: PLC/DCS & Process Systems

AL Solutions; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

AL Solutions is seeking an Automation Engineer to own the automated systems across its biopharmaceutical manufacturing support operations. The role involves troubleshooting PLC/DCS/SCADA, maintaining validated controls, and delivering automation projects in a cGMP environment.

The candidate will collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, IT, and Engineering teams, ensuring compliant documentation, risk-based change controls, and site readiness for commercial manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent relevant experience.
• Five or more years of systems administration, IT, controls, or automation experience.
• At least three years of automation experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Hands-on experience with Siemens automation platforms (S7, TIA Portal, PCS 7 or WinCC).
• Strong working knowledge of cGMP manufacturing requirements.
• Experience supporting automation in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with 21 CFR Part 11, GMP, and GxP requirements.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols like EtherNet/IP, BACnet, DeviceNet, and OPC UA.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade PLC, DCS, SCADA, and networked automation systems.
• Provide automation engineering support for process, facility, utility, and building-management control systems.
• Design and specify automated control systems for manufacturing and facility applications.
• Support process data historians and automated biologics manufacturing platforms.
• Document system changes following change-control procedures.
• Support deviations, CAPAs, investigations, qualifications, and validations.

Skills

Industrial automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Siemens S7

TIA Portal

PCS 7

WinCC

EtherNet/IP

OPC UA

Job description

AL Solutions is seeking an Automation Engineer to own the automated systems across its biopharmaceutical manufacturing support operations. The role involves troubleshooting PLC/DCS/SCADA, maintaining validated controls, and delivering automation projects in a cGMP environment.

The candidate will collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, IT, and Engineering teams, ensuring compliant documentation, risk-based change controls, and site readiness for commercial manufacturing.