Junior Automation Engineer – PLC/SCADA & MES

Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Principia is seeking a Junior Automation Specialist to support automation projects and day-to-day manufacturing operations within the pharmaceutical industry. The selected candidate will collaborate with automation professionals, engineering teams, and manufacturing personnel to support automated systems and equipment.

The ideal candidate has 1–2 years of relevant automation or manufacturing experience, familiarity with PLC/SCADA/HMI, and exposure to MES platforms such as PharmaSuite, PMX, or

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer/Mech/Automation or related field.
• 1–2 years in automation or manufacturing systems; pharma exposure preferred.
• Basic PLC-based control systems knowledge (Allen‑Bradley preferred).
• Exposure to HMI/SCADA in automated manufacturing.
• Exposure to MES platforms such as PharmaSuite/PMX/Tulip preferred.
• Understanding GMP, data integrity, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11, or willingness to learn.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support installation, setup, configuration, testing, and troubleshooting of manufacturing equipment.
• Develop and maintain system configuration and technical documentation.
• Update automation documents to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Support MES configuration activities (PharmaSuite, PMX, Tulip, or similar).
• Provide on-site and on-call technical support for devices, servers, apps, and interfaces.
• Assist with system administration tasks including hot fixes, security, access, and upgrades.
• Participate in Life Cycle Management and software upgrades, testing and implementation.
• Troubleshoot production issues involving PLC/SCADA/HMI/MES interfaces.
• Assist with calibration, backups, and maintenance activities.
• Contribute to root-cause investigations and CAPA actions.
• Provide day-to-day technical assistance to operators and maintenance staff.
• Support testing, commissioning, qualification and validation activities.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Documentation

Teamwork

PLC knowledge

HMI/SCADA exposure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Automation/Controls

Tools

PharmaSuite

PMX

Tulip

Allen-Bradley

Job description

Principia is seeking a Junior Automation Specialist to support automation projects and day-to-day manufacturing operations within the pharmaceutical industry. The selected candidate will collaborate with automation professionals, engineering teams, and manufacturing personnel to support automated systems and equipment.

The ideal candidate has 1–2 years of relevant automation or manufacturing experience, familiarity with PLC/SCADA/HMI, and exposure to MES platforms such as PharmaSuite, PMX, or