DT&A - Engineer III

PerkinElmer; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 94,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Project Farma, a PerkinElmer company, located in Raleigh, NC, seeks an Automation Engineer III to support project execution in GMP life sciences. The role requires 4–7 years in automation with PLC/MES/OT experience and willingness to travel for client projects.

Responsibilities include documenting URS/FRS, implementing automation solutions, and ensuring validation per FAT/SAT/IQ-OQ/PQ while maintaining data integrity. Strong cross-functional teamwork is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Science, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 4-7 years of experience in automation engineering in GMP life sciences.
• 3+ years in automation disciplines including PLC/MES/OT.
• Willingness to travel for client projects.

Responsibilities

• Understand and maintain URS, FRS, DS/DDS, narratives, and ISA-88 recipes and P&IDs.
• Configure, program, troubleshoot, and deploy automation software modules.
• Support integration of OEM skids (bioreactors, chromatography, CIP/SIP).
• Validate changes per FAT/SAT/IQ-OQ/PQ and data integrity controls.
• Collaborate with IT/OT, process engineering, quality and projects.
• Lifecycle management and testing of patches and releases.
• Provide 24/7 operations support and root-cause analysis.

Skills

Automation engineering

GMP life sciences

PLC/MES/OT

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science, Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

PLC programming

Data analytics tools

Job description

This is a full-time salaried position with Project Farma, a PerkinElmer company. The successful candidate will reside in one of Project Farma's primary markets and be willing to travel domestically to meet client project requests.

Project Farma’s purpose is to improve patient lives by accelerating the delivery of life-changing therapies. We accomplish this through the successful execution of high-quality life sciences projects across the full project lifecycle. Project Farma (PF) team members collaborate with cross-functional teams to build trusted client relationships, deliver an exceptional customer experience, and contribute to business growth by identifying opportunities and applying data-driven insights to support project planning, cost, schedule, and performance management.

All team members are expected to embody Project Farma’s values by being curious, personable, and unselfish, while maintaining a strong commitment to a Patient Focused and People First mindset.

The Engineer III is an experienced individual responsible for supporting project execution through technical contribution, analysis, and problem-solving within defined scope and guidance. This role applies developing or intermediate technical expertise to solve complex problems, contributes meaningfully to project outcomes, and demonstrates increased independence in executing assigned work. Engineers are expected to build foundational skills, apply Project Farma methodologies, and deliver high-quality work products while collaborating across disciplines. This role requires sound judgment, effective prioritization, within established project frameworks, and continued growth toward greater ownership and technical proficiency.

Job ID: REQ-057967

Location: Raleigh, NC

Job Type: Regular

Key Responsibilities

• The Automation Engineer needs to have the ability to understand coding principles, software troubleshooting and executing of code charges in the automation discipline they are working in. They should be able to understand requirements and specifications documents for the process area they are working in.
• URS / FRS / Design Documentation
  • Understand, modify and maintain the life cycle of the following documents:
    • URS (User Requirements Specifications)
    • FRS (Functional Requirements Specifications)
    • DS / DDS (Design Specifications)
    • Functional & Control Narratives
    • Recipe Design Documentation (ISA‑88 compliant)
    • P&IDs
    • Automation Standards & Engineering Guidelines
    • Work cross functionally to translate process requirements into robust automation design documents.
• Automation Implementation
  • Troubleshoot, configure, program, and deploy software modules in the automation discipline they are working in (control modules, equipment modules, phases, recipes, batch strategies, graphics, alarms).
  • Understand the attributes required to integrate OEM skids: bioreactors, chromatography systems, filtration skids, CIP/SIP, and fill finish equipment.
  • Understand the hardware architecture of a DCs or PLC environment
• Commissioning, Validation & GMP Compliance
  • Detailed knowledge of FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ, and PQ protocols in alignment with GAMP 5 and 21 CFR Part 11.
  • Ensure automation changes meet data integrity requirements, change control processes, and validation lifecycle rules.
  • Participate in deviation investigations, CAPAs, and risk assessments related to automation systems.
• Manufacturing & Operations Support
  • Support 24/7 operations through structured root cause analysis and resolution of automation issues.
• Cross Functional Leadership‑Functional Leadership
  • Collaborate with IT/OT, process engineering, quality, and capital project teams to deliver integrated automation solutions.
• Automation Life Cycle Management:
  • Understand the typical life cycle of automation applications and hardware. (Obsolescence status, release versions etc)
  • Testing and Deployment of patches, Hot Fixes and other software releases)

Attributes for Success

• Technical Delivery: Applies advanced technical knowledge and professional expertise
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Seeks better ways, adapts to change and champions new ideas.
• Customer Focus & Professionalism: Represents PF with consistent professionalism, appropriate escalation and respect for internal stakeholders, even during high stress delivery situations
• Integrity & Humility: Demonstrates self-awareness and puts PF mission above ego
• Collaboration & Communication: Communicates clearly and proactively and drives transparent alignment with clients.
• Project Execution: Delivers reliably, manages priorities and drives for high quality outcomes
• Growth Mindset: Shows openness to new ideas, feedback and change

Experience Required

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science, Engineering, or related discipline (OR a combination of equivalent work experience in capital project engineering, pharma cGMP facility start-up, CapEx/OpEx project management and/or comparable military experience.
• 4-7 years' experience required
• PLC/MES/OT Infrastructure/Data Analytics/Digital Transformation Applications
  • 3+ years in automation engineering within GMP life sciences (biotech, pharma, ATMP). With experience with any of the automation disciplines
• Willingness to travel as required for client project assignments.

Other Preferred

• Strong communicator and self-starter
• Ability to take direction and learn new skills.
• Structured thinker with troubleshooting and problem-solving skills..
• Ability to manage time and work activities

Project Farma is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. PerkinElmer is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We will not sponsor applicants for current or future work visas for this position. This position may require significant travel to support project and business needs. We cannot employ anyone with an invalid driver's license.

The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $94,000 - 110,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.