Director of Process Controls

IPS - Integrated Project Services, LLC; Whitpain Township (PA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

IPS is seeking a Director of Process Controls to lead its US-based Process Automation department. The role directs instrumentation and controls delivery across complex life sciences projects, from concept through commissioning, and aligns engineering design with field implementation.

You will shape strategic direction, develop technical standards, manage resource planning, and liaise with engineering, construction, and commissioning teams to grow IPS’s I&C and automation capabilities in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Automation, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in process instrumentation and controls within pharma/biopharma/life sciences.
• Proven expertise in instrumentation and process control system design, implementation, and integration.
• Knowledgeable regarding automation platforms such as Rockwell, Siemens, Emerson DeltaV, or other DCS/SCADA systems.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP, 21 CFR Part 11, GAMP 5, and industry regulations.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation teams and executing complex, multi-site projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of instrumentation and controls professionals.
• Guide design, documentation, installation, and startup of instrumentation and control systems from concept to commissioning.
• Develop technical standards, drive project planning, and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
• Coordinate with project managers and discipline directors to determine scope and scheduling.
• Support business development and client engagement to grow I&C and automation capabilities.

Skills

Instrumentation & controls design

Automation team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/ Chemical/ Process Automation

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Siemens

Emerson DeltaV

DCS/SCADA

Job description

Job Description

At IPS, we are global leaders in developing innovative solutions for the consulting, architecture, engineering, project controls, procurement, construction management, and CQV of technically complex facilities, primarily in the life sciences industry. We are looking for a Director of Process Controls to lead our US based Process Automation department. This position can be located in any of IPS' US office locations (CA/KS/NC/MD/PA/NJ/MA).

In this role, you will lead a high-performing team of instrumentation and controls professionals to deliver robust process solutions across complex life sciences projects. Your focus will be on guiding the design, documentation, installation, and startup of instrumentation and control systems - from concept through construction and commissioning, ensuring alignment between engineering design and field implementation.

You’ll shape the strategic direction of the process controls function by developing technical standards, driving project planning, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. You’ll also lead the delivery of instrument and control system packages, support construction-phase readiness, and serve as a key liaison between engineering, construction, and commissioning teams. As a technical leader and strategic thinker, you’ll play a central role in team development, resource planning, and client engagement, helping to grow the company’s I&C and automation capabilities within a dynamic environment.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coordinates with Project Managers and discipline Directors to determine scope, complexity, and planning and scheduling requirements of projects.
• Assigns appropriate personnel to provide cost-effective engineering and technical support.
• Defines an appropriate cost-effective workflow and level of design detail to achieve project goals.
• Estimates work hours to generate project deliverables and support the design team.
• Ensures the quality, accuracy, consistency, and completeness of overall work as to process instrumentation and controls engineering principles, compliance with established IPS standards, procedures, codes, and ordinances; adherence to project schedules; and provides adequate training, technical and administrative guidance, and instruction to personnel within the department.
• Supports the development of strategic business plans in concert with overall company planning efforts involving technical/regulatory activities required to achieve long-range and annual goals and objectives.
• Assists in ongoing strategic planning for the entire company.
• Performs various personnel functions that involve hiring, performance appraisal, salary position recommendations, and employee development.
• Plans and schedules work for the department, ensuring the proper and effective distribution of assignments and manpower, space, and facilities for subsequent performance of duties.
• Liaison for inter-office labor, work sharing, and outsourcing to consultants.
• Evaluates and initiates the necessary training of the I&C/process controls discipline to ensure pertinent technical competence, acceptable social/communication skills, and personal development of leadership.
• Determines labor, resource, and financial needs of the unit.
• Develop departmental policies and technical standards and procedures.
• Assists in the development and coordination of divisional and inter-departmental policies, procedures, and standards.
• Regularly reviews productivity/quality reports to ensure top performance.
• Participate in business development by seeking out new projects with existing or new clients.
• Contributes to the preparation and delivery of sales presentations and proposals.
• Special projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Automation, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in process instrumentation and controls within the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, or life sciences industries.
• Proven expertise in instrumentation and process control system design, implementation, and integration.
• Knowledgeable regarding automation platforms such as Rockwell, Siemens, Emerson DeltaV, or other DCS/SCADA systems.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP, 21 CFR Part 11, GAMP 5, and industry regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in leading automation teams and executing complex, multi-site projects.

About Us

IPS, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a global leader in technical consulting, architecture, engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, qualification, and validation services for technically complex facilities. Integration is how we think and work. It requires the ability to unite existing and emerging technologies into a process that reliably delivers products and accelerates speed to market. That end-to-end mindset allows us to be agile and anticipate challenges as we move projects toward operational readiness. IPS applies design and delivery expertise, client-side experience, and supplier-side insight to every project. We infuse our curiosity, our passion, and our commitment to partnership in delivering solutions at any scale. We meet our clients where they are and get them to where they need to go. That’s only possible when we care as much as our clients do.

Specialties

Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV, and Staffing Services.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status; or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

Attention Search Firms/Third-Party Recruiters: IPS is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities with IPS. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at IPS via email, the Internet, or directly to hiring managers at IPS in any form without a valid written search agreement in place for a specific position will be deemed the sole property of IPS, and no fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by IPS as a result of the referral or through other means.

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