Controls & IIoT Engineer

vwr; Phillipsburg (NJ); On-site; USD 98,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor seeks a Controls & IIoT Engineer to lead automation, integration, and digital transformation across manufacturing in a cGMP environment. You will design and sustain traditional and Industry 4.0 control systems and drive digital batch records using UNS, IIoT, and enterprise integrations.

The role focuses on transitioning from paper-based processes to digital records, enabling scalable data models, secure OT data flows, and validated system implementations on site in Phillipsburg, NJ.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years in controls, automation, or integration.
• Experience with PLCs, HMI, SCADA, and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0 concepts (UNS, MQTT) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, test, and support PLC and HMI systems.
• Lead FAT/SAT activities and validation documentation.
• Develop UNS architecture and IIoT data pipelines.
• Integrate PLCs, SCADA, MES, and CMMS systems.
• Create dashboards and KPIs for data-driven operations.
• Ensure cGMP compliance and 21 CFR Part 11 adherence.

Skills

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Ignition SCADA

HMI & electrical schematics

VFDs & instrumentation

UNS & MQTT

IIoT & edge computing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Ignition SCADA

Canary Historian

HighByte Intelligence Hub

Tulip MES

eMaint CMMS

MQTT (EMQX)

UNS architecture

Job description

The Opportunity:

Avantor is seeking a Controls & IIoT Engineer to lead and support automation, integration, and digital transformation initiatives across manufacturing operations in a cGMP-regulated environment.

This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining both traditional control systems and modern Industry 4.0 architectures. As part of a site-wide digital transformation, this position will play a key role in transitioning from paper-based manufacturing processes to fully digital batch records, leveraging Unified Namespace (UNS) architecture, IIoT technologies, and enterprise system integration.

This is a full-time position located at our Phillipsburg, NJ office.

How you will thrive and create an impact:

Automation & Controls Engineering:

• Design, program, test, and support PLC and HMI systems
• Develop system requirements and validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
• Lead FAT and SAT activities
• Troubleshoot and optimize equipment and systems
• Maintain backups and version control
• Specify instrumentation and controls hardware

Industry 4.0 & Digital Transformation:

• Support transition to digital batch records (EBR)
• Develop Unified Namespace (UNS) architecture
• Integrate PLC, IIoT sensors, and edge devices
• Create scalable and contextualized data models
• Maintain OT data pipelines

Systems Integration & Data Architecture:

• Integrate PLCs, SCADA, historians, MES, and CMMS
• Configure MQTT architectures (EMQX)
• Support Ignition SCADA and migrate Wonderware
• Integrate Canary, HighByte, Tulip, and eMaint
• Ensure secure and scalable data flow

Continuous Improvement & Data-Driven Operations:

• Drive improvements using Lean Six Sigma and data
• Develop dashboards and KPIs
• Build business cases and ROI models

Compliance & Validation:

• Ensure cGMP and FDA compliance
• Support 21 CFR Part 11
• Execute validation and change control

Additional Responsibilities:

• Oversees large-scale projects and manufacturing process enhancements, ensuring alignment with broader operational and engineering strategies
• Guides the activities of project teams, providing direction and expertise to ensure successful implementation
• Solves complex and multifaceted process engineering challenges through in-depth evaluation of variable factors, adapting existing approaches or innovating beyond established methods to create effective solutions
• Regularly collaborates with and influences management, providing data-driven insights to support decision‑making
• Builds and strengthens relationships with internal stakeholders in R&D, production, and quality and external partners, such as equipment suppliers and regulatory bodies, leveraging persuasive communication to align on manufacturing and engineering objectives

What we are looking for:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related fiedl (preferred)

Experience:

• 4+ years in controls, automation, or integration

Additional Qualifications & Core Skills:

• Allen-Bradley PLCs
• Ignition SCADA
• HMI and electrical schematics
• VFDs and instrumentation

Industry 4.0 Skills (Preferred):

• UNS and MQTT (EMQX)
• Canary Historian
• HighByte Intelligence Hub
• Tulip MES
• eMaint CMMS
• IIoT and edge computing

Work Environment:

• Office and manufacturing floor
• Exposure to machinery and noise
• May require lifting up to 50 lbs

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.

The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.

We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

$97,500.00 - $156,975.00

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, ph