Electrical Controls Engineer - Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

LTS Lohmann Therapy; West Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

LTS Lohmann Therapy Systems in West St. Paul, MN seeks an experienced Electrical Controls Engineer to design, improve, and sustain automated manufacturing and packaging systems in a highly regulated environment.

You will combine controls design with equipment start-up, qualification support, and cross‑functional collaboration to improve safety, reliability, quality, and performance. On-site work with a daytime schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a controls/automation related field and relevant discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of controls/automation experience in regulated manufacturing.
• Hands-on PLC/HMI, sensors, servo/motion, VFDs, machine vision, electrical schematics.
• Familiar with cGMP, validation lifecycle docs, change control, data integrity.
• Strong troubleshooting, writing, communication and cross-functional skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, troubleshoot, and maintain control systems for pharma equipment.
• Program and support PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, motion controllers, and networks.
• Support installation, qualification, start-up, and production operations.
• Collaborate with Process Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and IT/OT teams.
• Develop and review URS, design specs, I/O lists, alarms, and change controls.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Root-cause analysis

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

GMP documentation

Communication

Project execution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Controls/Electrical/Automation/Mechatronics/Computer Engineering

Tools

PLC/HMI platforms

Industrial sensors

VFDs

Machine vision

Electrical schematics

Industrial networking

Job description

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Electrical Controls Engineer - Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Full Time Professional West St. Paul, MN, US

10 days ago Requisition ID: 1141

Salary Range: $95,000.00 To $115,000.00 Annually

About LTS: LTS Lohmann Therapy Systems is a global leader in transdermal and oral thin‑film drug delivery technologies. Our teams have pioneered breakthroughs such as the first contraceptive patch, nicotine patch, oral active ingredient film, and Parkinson’s patch. When you join LTS, you become part of a team that continues to shape the future of patient care and bring life‑changing therapies to market.

At LTS, our purpose drives everything we do: We CARE. We CREATE. We DELIVER. We’re committed to fostering an employee experience that reflects our innovation — supportive, collaborative, and empowering. Across our New Jersey and Minnesota locations, you’ll work alongside knowledgeable experts on diverse projects in an environment where every day is different and your contributions truly matter

Position Overview

LTS is seeking an experienced Electrical/Controls Engineer to design, improve, and sustain automated manufacturing and packaging systems in a highly regulated environment. In this hands‑on role, you’ll combine controls design and troubleshooting with equipment start‑up, qualification support, and cross‑functional collaboration to improve safety, reliability, quality, and performance.

Location: West St. Paul, Minnesota
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Work setting: On‑site manufacturing and office environment

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, troubleshoot, and maintain control systems for pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging, converting, inspection, and material‑handling equipment.
• Program and support PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, motion controllers, VFDs, safety PLCs, machine vision systems, sensors, barcode and serialization interfaces, and industrial networks.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, start‑up, and ongoing commercial production and R&D operations.
• Partner with Process Engineering, Automation, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, Operations, IT/OT, and vendors to deliver safe, compliant, and reliable equipment performance.
• Develop and review automation requirements and documentation, including URS, functional and design specifications, I/O lists, control narratives, alarm matrices, sequences of operation, and change controls.
• Review vendor proposals, electrical schematics, panel layouts, technical drawings, FAT/SAT protocols, and software design documentation.
• Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, IQ/OQ/PQ, revalidation, and change‑control activities for new equipment, line upgrades, and automation improvements.
• Diagnose machine faults, process deviations, vision and registration issues, sensor and network failures, electrical‑control problems, and data‑collection issues.
• Create and maintain controlled documentation, including SOPs, troubleshooting guides, training materials, preventive‑maintenance support documents, and validation deliverables.
• Drive improvements in uptime, throughput, yield, quality, changeover efficiency, operator usability, and cost performance.
• Support equipment‑data integration with manufacturing systems, historians, recipe management, and audit‑trail and data‑integrity requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and hands‑on training to Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 3 years of controls, automation, or electrical engineering experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, food, converting, packaging, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on experience with PLC/HMI platforms, industrial sensors, servo and motion control, VFDs, machine vision, electrical schematics, and industrial communication networks.
• Working knowledge of cGMP expectations, validation lifecycle documentation, change control, data integrity, and equipment qualification.
• Strong troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, technical writing, communication, project execution, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to support shop‑floor execution while maintaining strong documentation discipline and compliance.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, Omron, Keyence, Cognex, Delta ModTech, Serpa/MGS, or comparable automation and machine platforms.
• Experience with vision inspection, registration control, web handling, converting, packaging automation, robotic handling, serialization, or recipe‑controlled equipment.
• Knowledge of GAMP 5, 21 CFR Part 11 concepts, audit trails, backup and restore practices, and validated software change control.
• Ability to lead vendor technical discussions and translate production needs into robust automation requirements.
• Project management experience with capital projects, line upgrades, controls‑obsolescence remediation, or continuous‑improvement workstreams.

Work Environment

• Work in office, laboratory, production, and equipment‑build areas while following GMP, safety, gowning, and site procedures.
• Review electrical panels, machine guarding, HMI screens, sensors, controls cabinets, and production equipment in manufacturing areas.
• Provide occasional off‑hours support for troubleshooting, equipment start‑up, FAT/SAT execution, or production needs.
• Business‑casual dress is standard; required PPE must be worn in manufacturing areas.

Equal Employment Opportunity
LTS Lohmann Therapy Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.