Digital Plant Engineer

LVI Associates; Hendersonville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

LVI Associates seeks a Digital Plant Engineer to bridge manufacturing processes, automation, and digital technologies in a pharma setting. You will oversee data architecture, support automation integration, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, collaborating across OT, IT, and process engineering teams.

You will drive digital manufacturing use cases, ensure data visibility, and guide cross-functional stakeholders while aligning with GMP expectations and quality systems throughout the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum 7 years in pharmaceutical API, GMP-regulated environments.
• Strong automation, process control, OT workforce experience.
• Experience delivering automation projects in pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
• CSV, data integrity, and GMP regulatory knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the site's digital manufacturing strategy and data architecture.
• Lead data flow mapping between manufacturing, automation, and enterprise systems.
• Provide technical leadership on automation standards and system architectures.
• Collaborate with engineering, IT, quality, validation and operations for project delivery.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, data integrity, and validation throughout projects.

Skills

Automation engineering

Process control

OT/IT integration

Data management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

Emerson DeltaV

MES

AVEVA PI

Job description

The Digital Plant Engineer will serve as a key member of the project automation team, ensuring alignment between manufacturing processes, automation systems, digital technologies, and regulatory requirements.

This role will bridge the gap between process engineering, automation, operational technology (OT), information technology (IT), and data management functions. The successful candidate will help shape digital manufacturing solutions, oversee data architecture initiatives, support automation integration efforts, and ensure compliance with pharmaceutical industry standards.

The position requires close collaboration with automation leadership, process engineering teams, technology groups, operational stakeholders, and external partners throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Digital Strategy & Architecture

• Support the development and execution of the site's digital manufacturing strategy.
• Act as the automation representative within digital transformation and smart manufacturing discussions.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of digital use cases that improve operational performance and data visibility.
• Assist in defining and maintaining data architecture standards across the facility.

Data & Systems Integration

• Lead data flow mapping activities between manufacturing, automation, and enterprise systems.
• Support the implementation of plant-wide data infrastructure and historian solutions.
• Ensure effective integration between process control systems, manufacturing systems, and data platforms.
• Identify opportunities to improve accessibility and utilization of operational data.

Automation & Technical Leadership

• Provide technical guidance on automation and digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Support the development of automation standards, best practices, and system architectures.
• Collaborate with automation engineers, system integrators, and project stakeholders during design and execution.
• Ensure digital solutions align with process requirements, operational needs, and regulatory expectations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, operations, quality, validation, and IT teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Facilitate communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide updates on project progress, risks, and technical challenges.
• Support commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness activities as required.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all work adheres to GMP regulations and internal quality standards.
• Promote data integrity, system reliability, and validation compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain all required training and documentation in accordance with project and regulatory expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience within pharmaceutical API, bulk manufacturing, or related GMP-regulated production environments.
• Strong background in automation engineering, process control, and operational technology (OT).
• Experience delivering automation projects within pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
• Hands‑on experience with batch manufacturing and distributed control systems (DCS).
• Ability to translate process and operational requirements into effective digital and automation solutions.
• Proven track record working across operations, engineering, IT, and automation disciplines.
• Strong understanding of GMP regulations, computerized system validation (CSV), and data integrity principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and business stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Emerson DeltaV or comparable batch control platforms.
• Exposure to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Experience with industrial historians and manufacturing data platforms such as AVEVA PI or similar technologies.
• Knowledge of digital manufacturing, smart factory, or Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Previous involvement in large-scale greenfield pharmaceutical facility projects.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Long-term, multi‑year project engagement.
• Opportunity to influence the design and implementation of digital manufacturing systems from the ground up.
• Exposure to cutting-edge pharmaceutical production technologies and large capital projects.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering, automation, and digital transformation teams.
• Significant impact on the future operational capabilities of a next‑generation manufacturing facility.