Operations Specialist – III

ApTask Global Workforce; Elkton (VA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Sick Pay

Job summary

Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) is seeking an Operations Specialist – III for an onsite role with a Major Pharmaceutical Company in Elkton, VA. This 12+ month contract supports DeltaV software development, testing, and commissioning within an Agile sprint.

The role acts as liaison between automation and operations, ensuring the DeltaV design reflects manufacturing requirements, supports GMP compliance, and enables a robust facility start-up.

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on experience in biopharmaceutical drug substance and SDI operations, with a deep understanding of process equipment, utility systems, and facility layouts.
• Strong familiarity with legacy API/SDI control system functionality and the ability to interpret existing operating sequences.
• Prior experience in recipe creation, batch sheet/EBR execution, and operational sequence design under computerized control environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the core Operations representative within DeltaV software development sprint teams, participating in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and demonstrations.
• Provide feedback on process operations, equipment utilization, and operator workflows to the development team.
• Act as the primary liaison between the automation development team and the wider Operations team.
• Translate existing DCS functionality and operating practices into clear DeltaV design requirements.
• Interpret batch sheets and operational needs for DeltaV phases and recipes.
• Inform the design of intuitive operator interfaces, control graphics, and navigation paths.
• Review and approve FDS, SRS, and SOPs.
• Support software design reviews, FAT, and commissioning.
• Identify functional gaps or safety risks in DeltaV design.
• Provide operator-centric input on access philosophy and abnormal handling.
• Participate in PHA, design safety reviews, and handovers.

Skills

DeltaV familiarity

Agile development

Biopharma operations

Process equipment knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical/Biomedical Engineering

Tools

DeltaV software

Job description

Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) is seeking an Operations Specialist – III for an Onsite position with a Major Pharmaceutical Company located in Elkton, VA. This is a 12+ month contract opportunity.

This role will provide dedicated shop-floor, process operations, and recipe expertise to a Sprint team during a DeltaV software development, testing, and commissioning phase. Working within an Agile/Sprint team structure, this role bridges the gap between software development and daily manufacturing reality. The successful candidate will ensure that the new automation solution accurately reflects manufacturing requirements, supports safe and compliant operations, and enables a robust facility start-up.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the core Operations representative within DeltaV software development sprint teams, participating in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and demonstrations
• Provide immediate, practical feedback on process operations, equipment utilization, and operator workflows to the development team
• Act as the primary liaison between the automation development team and the wider Operations team
• Translate existing DCS functionality, operating practices, and knowledge into clear requirements for DeltaV design, configuration, and graphics
• Utilize deep manufacturing and recipe knowledge to interpret batch sheets and operational needs for DeltaV phases and recipes
• Inform the design of intuitive operator interfaces, control graphics, and navigation paths
• Review and approve Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Software Requirement Specifications (SRS), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Support software design reviews, sprint demonstrations, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and commissioning
• Proactively identify functional gaps, safety risks, or unintended procedural consequences in the proposed DeltaV design
• Provide operator-centric input on access philosophy, manual intervention, and abnormal situation handling
• Participate actively in Process Hazard Analyses (PHA), design safety reviews, and final system handovers

Requirements:

• Significant hands‑on experience in biopharmaceutical drug substance and SDI operations, with a deep understanding of process equipment, utility systems, and facility layouts
• Strong familiarity with legacy API/SDI control system functionality and the ability to interpret existing operating sequences
• Prior experience in recipe creation, batch sheet/EBR execution, and operational sequence design under computerized control environments
• Hands‑on experience navigating the commercial supply phase of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, ensuring compliance with GMP and regulatory standards
• Excellent communication skills with a proven track record of effectively translating complex operational procedures to engineering/automation teams

Desired skills:

• Familiarity with Emerson DeltaV system navigation, batch execution, or previous exposure to DeltaV system migration projects
• Prior experience working in an Agile development environment (Scrum/Kanban)
• Active participation in Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) activities in a regulated pharmaceutical facility

Pay range: up to $42.86 per hour

Only candidates available and ready to work directly as Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) employees will be considered for this position.

Aptask Global Workforce (AGW)

ApTask Global Workforce (AGW) is a certified Minority and Veteran workforce solutions company. AGW delivers operational, clinical, lab and professional talent with a strong focus on healthcare and life sciences. The company supports clients with reliable staffing, program expertise and a commitment to quality, speed and consistent delivery.

Benefits of working with ApTask Global Workforce include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Sick Pay (for applicable states/municipalities)

Our team stays close to the process and is here to guide you every step of the way. To learn more, please visit our website

ApTask Global Workforce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.