IT/OT Digital Plant Engineer

Blackfield Associates; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackfield Associates are seeking a Digital Plant Engineer in Indianapolis to drive OT automation across GMP facilities. The role links process engineering with automation, IT, and data teams to deliver scalable digital infrastructure for multiple facilities.

You will shape data architecture, support PI historian integration, and ensure compliance with GMP and regulatory standards. Hybrid schedule with site presence required.

Qualifications

• Strong OT Automation background with batch DCS experience.
• Experience delivering large-scale automation projects in GMP environments.
• Bridge process engineering, operations, automation, IT and digital/data functions.

Responsibilities

• Act as a link between process, operations, automation, OT, IT, data, and digital teams.
• Represent automation in Digital Plant discussions and contribute to digital strategy and use cases.
• Translate manufacturing requirements into digital/technical requirements.
• Lead data flow mapping and contribute to data architecture for the project.
• Support site-level data infrastructure, including historian platforms such as AVEVA PI.
• Contribute to automation philosophy, architecture, and integration of DCS, MES, historian, and digital platforms.
• Provide technical support to the Automation Project Team.
• Ensure digital solutions align with GMP and regulatory expectations.

Skills

OT Automation

DCS DeltaV

Automation project delivery

GMP regulatory understanding

Stakeholder management

Communication

Tools

DeltaV

MES

PI Historian

Job description

IT/OT Digital Plant Engineer | Indianapolis, USA | Contract Hire Position

Contract Duration: Minimum 2 years w/ extension possible

Hybrid Schedule: 25-50% site presence throughout assignment

Summary:

Blackfield Associates are currently supporting one of our key biopharmaceutical manufacturing partners in their search for a Digital Plant Engineer to support the delivery of a hyperscale greenfield investment program local to Indianapolis, Indiana.

You will support the delivery of multiple highly flexible GMP manufacturing facilities supporting clinical trial drug substance production across small molecules, biologics, and nucleic acid therapies. This role sits within the project automation team, focused on the integration of process, automation, OT, digital, data, and IT across the new facilities. This role reports into the Automation Technical Lead & PM.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a link between process, operations, automation, OT, IT, data, and digital teams.
• Represent the automation function within Digital Plant discussions and contribute to the project's digital strategy and use cases.
• Translate manufacturing and operational requirements into digital and technical requirements.
• Lead data flow mapping activities and contribute to the overall data architecture for the project.
• Support the delivery of site-level data infrastructure, including historian platforms such as AVEVA PI.
• Contribute to automation philosophy, architecture, and the integration of DCS, MES, historian, and other digital platforms.
• Provide technical support and consulting to the wider Automation Project Team.
• Ensure digital solutions align with process requirements, facility design, GMP, and regulatory expectations.

Requirements:

• Strong OT Automation background with proven experience in batch DCS (DeltaV).
• Solid experience within API or bulk manufacturing environments.
• Previous experience delivering large-scale automation projects within a GMP-regulated environment.
• Must have technical skills with batch DeltaV and some experience with MES and PI.
• Ability to bridge process engineering, operations, automation, IT, and digital/data functions.
• Strong understanding of GMP, data integrity, and computer system validation principles.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.