Lead Automation Engineer – Life Sciences

Xperior Global; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with immediate vesting

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous PTO and paid holidays

Ongoing training and professional development

Job summary

Xperior Global is seeking a Lead Automation Engineer to oversee system design and development, focusing on process automation in North Carolina. In this hybrid role, you will lead from the front, mentor junior engineers, and act as a primary technical interface with clients in the Life Sciences industry. Ideal candidates will have over 8 years of experience in automation, a strong technical background in the Rockwell Automation stack, and excellent client-facing skills. Competitive salary and benefits are included.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in process automation and controls engineering.
• Strong background in Life Sciences.
• Experience supporting startup and commissioning in live environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, configuration, and testing of control systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide engineering direction.
• Act as a primary technical interface with clients.

Skills

Process automation

Technical leadership

Client relations

PLC programming

System integration

Mentoring

Tools

Rockwell Automation

SCADA platforms

Job description

Location: NY / New England Region / North Carolina (3 Openings) Department: Operations Industry: Life Sciences / Automation

About the Company

Our client is a large national engineering and system integration firm delivering advanced automation and control solutions across Life Sciences, CPG, and other process industries.

With decades of experience and a strong North American presence, they partner with leading manufacturers to design, standardize, and deploy scalable automation systems in complex, regulated environments. Life Sciences is a key growth area, supporting pharmaceutical clients in advancing digital manufacturing capabilities.

The Role

The Lead Automation Engineer will serve as the technical lead across a portfolio of projects, working closely with Project Management while maintaining hands‑on ownership of system design and development.

This is a true player-coach role—you will lead from the front technically while also engaging directly with clients and supporting business development efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead the design, configuration, and testing of continuous and batch control systems
• Serve as the technical authority across projects
• PLC programming
• System integration and troubleshooting
• Mentor junior engineers and guide engineering direction
• Stay close to the code—this is not a hands‑off leadership role

Project Ownership

• Manage a portfolio of projects alongside Project Managers
• Support: scheduling and budgeting, change order identification and justification, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting
• Act as a primary technical interface with clients
• Lead technical discussions, presentations, and working sessions
• Manage expectations and deliver difficult or complex messages when needed
• Operate with a service‑provider mindset and strong accountability
• Partner with sales teams on new project pursuits
• Contribute to proposals including:
  • Solution approach
  • Feasibility validation
  • Help position the organization as a trusted automation advisor

Team Development

• Mentor and develop junior and mid‑level engineers
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices
• Contribute to building a strong technical culture

Requirements

Core Experience

• 8+ years in process automation and controls engineering
• Strong background in Life Sciences
• Proven experience operating as a technical lead

Platform Expertise

• Deep experience with Rockwell Automation stack: FactoryTalk (View, Batch, Historian)
• Experience with SCADA platforms (Ignition strongly preferred)
• Exposure to additional platforms (Siemens, DeltaV, etc.) is a plus

Technical & Regulatory Knowledge

• Experience with:
  • Batch and continuous process control
  • System integration and SQL/database connectivity
• Knowledge of:
  • ISA S88 / S95
  • GAMP 5
  • cGMP
  • 21 CFR Part 11
• Experience supporting startup and commissioning in live environments

Client-Facing & Commercial Capability (Non-Negotiable)

• Proven experience working directly with clients
• Comfortable with:
  • Presentations
  • Managing expectations
  • Navigating challenging conversations
  • Ability to contribute to sales efforts and project acquisition

Work Model

• Hybrid role with flexibility
• Must be local enough for regular office collaboration and mentorship
• Project-based travel (not excessive)
• Competitive base salary aligned with market for Lead Automation Engineers
• Performance-based bonuses including:
  • Project performance
  • Above "Above & Beyond" incentives (paid for hours over 40/week)

Benefits Package

• 401(k) with immediate vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Ongoing training and professional development