Lead Automation Engineer

Candidtalent; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Candidtalent is seeking an experienced pharma automation engineer for a major greenfield biologics build in Illinois. You will oversee utilities automation, review vendor designs, and ensure project alignment from design through commissioning, with a focus on GMP compliance and quality.

The role involves working with an owner's engineer on a multi-year capital program, mostly on site with partial remote options, and relocation or travel to Illinois considered.

Qualifications

• GMP experience in pharma or biologics is required.
• Experience with utilities automation is preferred.
• Knowledge of WFI systems is desirable.
• Prior roles as owner's rep or engineer on capital projects is ideal.

Responsibilities

• Review vendor and integrator automation design and submittals.
• Maintain scope consistency across packages during commissioning.
• Support CQV activities without owning them, focusing on oversight.
• Coordinate with vendors and internal teams on project deliverables.

Skills

GMP experience

Utilities automation

Vendor oversight

CQV support

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Job description

South of Chicago, Illinois

$170,000 to $210,000

Around 60 to 75% on site, some remote

Most pharma automation engineers spend their career on the integrator side delivering one package at a time. This is the owner’s side of a major greenfield biologics build, with oversight of the whole utilities automation scope, clean and dirty.

A global biologics manufacturer is building a large new facility in Illinois. You’d hold the equipment vendors and the automation integrator to the standard from design and procurement through submittals, construction and commissioning support.

Day to day you’d review vendor and integrator automation design, manage submittals and technical review and keep the scope consistent across packages as the build moves into commissioning. You’d support CQV without owning it. It’s oversight rather than hands on programming.

You’ll need GMP experience in pharma or biologics and utilities automation experience, ideally including WFI systems and distribution. The platform is Rockwell but you don’t need direct experience with it. Time as an owner’s rep or owner’s engineer, or overseeing vendors on a capital project, is ideal.

It’s a multi year capital program so the work is funded for the long run.

A Midwest base is easiest but relocation or weekly travel to Illinois will be considered.

US work authorization is required and sponsorship is not available.