Principal Automation Engineer

CSL; Holly Springs (MS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

CSL Seqirus is seeking a Principal Automation Engineer to lead automation systems for bulk manufacturing. This role focuses on reliability, compliance, and continuous improvement of process control systems to enable safe, efficient production.

The engineer will guide cross-functional teams, manage system enhancements, and ensure GMP and data integrity across DeltaV DCS, PLCs, HMIs, historians, and related infrastructure. On-call rotation supports 24/7 operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• 5-10+ years of experience supporting automation systems in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in DeltaV, PLCs, HMIs, historians, and industrial networking.
• Strong troubleshooting and technical leadership skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and mentoring engineering teams.
• Knowledge of GMP, computer system validation, and data integrity.
• PE license or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation systems across Upstream, Downstream, Support, and Utilities process areas.
• Ensure high availability and reliability of process control systems, including DeltaV DCS, OEM PLC, HMI, PI historian, and associated infrastructure.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations for complex automation, process, and equipment issues impacting production.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, and IT teams to resolve manufacturing issues and improve system performance.
• Support 24/7 manufacturing operations through an on-call rotation.

Skills

DeltaV DCS

PLCs

HMIs

Industrial networking

Troubleshooting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, or related

Tools

PI historian

HMI systems

Industrial networking hardware

Job description

Principal Automation Engineer - Bulk Manufacturing

Position Summary:

The Principal Automation Engineer provides technical leadership and subject matter expertise for automation systems supporting bulk manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, availability, compliance, and continuous improvement of process control systems that enable safe and efficient manufacturing. The position serves as a key technical resource for troubleshooting complex automation issues, leading strategic automation initiatives, and supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations through an on-call rotation.

Key Responsibilities:

Manufacturing Automation Support

• Provide technical leadership and support for automation systems supporting bulk manufacturing operations including Upstream, Downstream, Support, and Utilities process areas.
• Ensure high availability and reliability of process control systems, including DeltaV DCS, OEM PLC, HMI, PI historian, and associated infrastructure.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations for complex automation, process, and equipment issues impacting production.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, and IT teams to resolve manufacturing issues and improve system performance.

Operational Excellence

• Monitor and improve automation system performance, reliability, and cybersecurity compliance.
• Develop and execute automation reliability strategies to minimize downtime and production disruptions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, alarm management, operator effectiveness, and system standardization.
• Analyze trends and manufacturing data to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, capacity, and robustness.

Project Leadership

• Serve as technical lead for automation capital projects and system enhancements.
• Develop automation architectures, functional specifications, and design standards.
• Provide oversight of system integrators, vendors, and contractors.
• Ensure projects are delivered in compliance with GMP, safety, quality, and corporate standards.

Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain automation systems in accordance with GMP requirements and site procedures.
• Support change control, deviation investigations, CAPA implementation, and regulatory inspections.
• Review and approve automation documentation such as specifications and test protocols.
• Ensure systems remain compliant with applicable data integrity, cybersecurity, and validation requirements.

On-Call Support

• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation to provide critical automation support for bulk manufacturing operations.
• Act as escalation point for complex manufacturing automation incidents and lead restoration efforts.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• 5-10+ years of experience supporting automation systems in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, or related regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in process control systems including DeltaV, PLCs, HMIs, historians, and industrial networking.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and technical leadership skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and mentoring engineering teams.
• Knowledge of GMP regulations, computer system validation, and data integrity requirements.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or advanced degree preferred.

About CSL Seqirus

CSL Seqirus is part ofCSL. As one of the largest influenza vaccine providers in the world, CSL Seqirusis a major contributor to the prevention of influenza globally and a transcontinental partner in pandemic preparedness. With state-of-the-art production facilities in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia, CSL Seqirus utilizes egg, cell and adjuvant technologies to offer a broad portfolio of differentiated influenza vaccines in more than 20 countries around the world.

To learn more about CSL, CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor visit https://www.csl.com/ and CSL Plasma at https://www.cslplasma.com/.

Our Benefits

For more information on CSL benefits visit How CSL Supports Your Well-being | CSL.

You Belong at CSL

At CSL, Inclusion and Belonging is at the core of our mission and who we are. It fuels our innovation day in and day out. By celebrating our differences and creating a culture of curiosity and empathy, we are able to better understand and connect with our patients and donors, foster strong relationships with our stakeholders, and sustain a diverse workforce that will move our company and industry into the future.

To learn more about inclusion and belonging visit https://www.csl.com/careers/inclusion-and-belonging

Equal Opportunity Employer

CSL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit https://www.csl.com/accessibility-statement.

Watch our 'On the Front Line' video to learn more about CSL Seqirus