Controls Engineer III - Manufacturing Automation & OT

Homeland Talent Solutions; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

FSA/HSA options

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Homeland Talent Solutions is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer III for a Spokane, WA manufacturing automation role. The engineer will support OT controls, PLC/HMI systems, and capital projects in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities include leading controls projects, troubleshooting complex issues, drafting specs, and coordinating cross-functional teams with internal departments and external partners. A strong background in pharma manufacturing is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical discipline.
• 7+ years of OT controls experience.
• Strong experience with industrial automation, PLCs, HMIs, and equipment controls.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex controls issues.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering and capital projects.
• Strong documentation and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience in pharma/regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
• Rockwell tools certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical engineering support for OT, controls, and automated manufacturing systems.
• Lead and support controls and automation projects involving equipment, facilities, utilities, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Design, install, modify, and upgrade critical controls systems and manufacturing equipment.
• Lead and participate in capital projects involving controls, automation, and facility systems.
• Provide technical guidance and training on controls troubleshooting and repairs.
• Partner with Manufacturing teams on process development and capital projects.
• Develop technical specifications and RFQs for engineering firms and contractors.
• Maintain engineering documentation in regulatory compliance.

Skills

OT controls

Industrial automation

PLC/HMI

Troubleshooting

Capital projects

Documentation

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

PanelView HMIs

RSLogix

Rockwell/FactoryTalk Studio

Wonderware InTouch

InSQL Historian

ArchestrA IDE

GE Proficy

Job description

Homeland Talent Solutions is partnering with a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing organization in Spokane, WA to identify an experienced Controls Engineer III – Manufacturing Automation & OT. This senior-level individual contributor will provide technical support for Operational Technology (OT), automated manufacturing equipment, and controls systems within a highly regulated environment.

The Controls Engineer III will lead and support the design, installation, modification, and upgrades of critical manufacturing and facility systems while serving as a technical resource for complex troubleshooting, capital projects, process improvements, and compliance initiatives. The Controls Engineer III will leverage strong PLC/HMI and industrial automation expertise to independently lead projects and collaborate cross-functionally to support reliable, efficient manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical engineering support for OT, controls, and automated manufacturing systems
• Lead and support controls and automation projects involving manufacturing equipment, facilities, utilities, compliance upgrades, process improvements, and cost-reduction initiatives
• Support the design, acquisition, installation, modification, and upgrade of critical controls systems and manufacturing equipment
• Lead and participate in capital and expense projects involving controls, automation, production equipment, and facility systems
• Provide technical guidance and training to Maintenance Controls Technicians on controls troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repairs
• Partner with Manufacturing teams on process development, optimization, recipe creation and maintenance, and related capital projects
• Troubleshoot complex controls and automation issues and support manufacturing investigations and deviation resolution
• Develop technical specifications and RFQs for engineering firms, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and other external partners
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation in compliance with regulatory requirements, SOPs, engineering standards, and quality systems
• Ensure controls engineering activities meet cGMP, GAMP 5, data integrity, engineering, and quality requirements
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, including project scheduling, budgeting, communication, documentation, and execution
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, Engineering, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and other stakeholders
• Navigate complex and ambiguous technical challenges while influencing outcomes and leading cross-functional teams without direct authority

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering or technical discipline
• 7+ years of experience in Operational Technology (OT) controls systems engineering
• Strong experience with industrial automation, PLCs, HMIs, and manufacturing equipment controls
• Proven ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve complex controls and equipment issues
• Experience leading or contributing to multidisciplinary engineering and capital projects
• Strong technical documentation, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to effectively partner with internal teams, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments, preferred
• Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, PanelView HMIs, servo drives, RSLogix, and Rockwell/FactoryTalk Studio, preferred
• Experience with Wonderware InTouch, InSQL Historian, ArchestrA IDE, DA Servers, GE Proficy, Fix32, iFIX, or Proficy Historian, preferred
• Knowledge of TCP/IP networking and industrial OT networks, preferred
• Experience with Microsoft SQL Server, preferred
• Working knowledge of GAMP 5 and data-integrity requirements, preferred
• Rockwell Logix Programmer certification preferred
• Experience supporting controls systems in GMP manufacturing environments strongly preferred
• Experience with automated pharmaceutical manufacturing, aseptic/sterile manufacturing, or fill-finish operations highly desirable

This position offers a competitive annual salary of $102,100–$136,100, along with comprehensive benefits beginning on the first day of employment, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; FSA and HSA options; life and AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; and an Employee Assistance Program. Employees also have access to professional development and advancement opportunities, along with annual compensation reviews.

Summary

This position offers an experienced Controls Engineer the opportunity to join a growing pharmaceutical manufacturing operation during a period of significant investment and expansion.

You’ll gain broad exposure to manufacturing automation, OT controls, capital projects, process improvement, and compliance, while playing a key role in improving equipment reliability and overall manufacturing performance.

EEO Notice

Homeland LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Homeland LLC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Homeland LLC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.