Process Automation Engineer

United Pharma; Georgia; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United Pharma seeks a Process Automation Engineer to lead design, project execution and commissioning of process systems in biopharma. You will mentor junior engineers, coordinate with vendors and contractors, and ensure compliance with GMP, ISA standards, and safety policies.

Responsibilities include managing feasibility through commissioning, FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ, and cross-functional coordination. Experience with Emerson DeltaV, SCADA/Historians, and travel to client sites is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years pharma/biotech process automation engineering experience (8+ years preferred).
• 3+ years process controls with DCS/SCADA/Historians in biotech context.
• Experience with Emerson DeltaV DCS; ability to read electrical/PLC/DCS code.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance for design, project management, commissioning, and startup of automation systems for upgrades and expansions.
• Lead project stages: Feasibility, Concept/Basic/Detail design, procurement, construction, governance.
• Coordinate with Process Engineering, Mechanical, Validation, and client stakeholders to drive progress.
• Review vendor/firms' software and hardware; perform automation/electrical troubleshooting on panels and systems.
• Support FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ protocols and commissioning activities.
• Travel to client sites; supervise contractors during critical installations and validations.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

English proficiency

Read electrical drawings

Read PLC/DCS code

Education

Engineering degree (Electrical / Electromechanical / Controls / Chemical / Mechanical)

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

This role is for a Process Automation engineer to work on the design, project execution and commissioning of process systems in the biopharmaceutical industry. The ideal candidate should possess leadership skills to lead/mentor junior engineers, equipment vendors, contractors.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance into the design, project management, commissioning and start-up of automation systems, for upgrades, renovations and expansions of client facilities and processes.
• Support project execution from Feasibility through to project completion/handover, including all project stages such as:
• Feasibility
• Concept Design, Basic Design, Detailed Design
• Procurement
• Construction
• Project Monitoring/Governance
• The ideal candidate has experience in Distributed Control Systems (DCS) such as Emerson DeltaV, and preferably has experience in SCADA/Historians, specifically within process controls in biopharmaceutical industry.
• Perform programming / configuration on PLCs, DCS or SCADA/Historians
• Review programming of equipment vendors and other automation firms
• Perform automation / electrical troubleshooting on electrical panels and control systems
• Familiarity with ISA 88 / 95 Standards for automation.
• Facilitate work efforts with other disciplines such as Process Engineering, Mechanical, Validation, and client’s internal stakeholders.
• Prepare/review User Requirements Specifications (URS), Functional Requirements Specifications (FRS), SDS, DDS, Valve & Alarm Matrices.
• Provide input into Commissioning (FAT, SAT) and Qualification Protocols (IQOQ), as well as support execution of Commissioning & Qualification.
• Experience with, and knowledge of some of the typical Biotechnology processes & peripheral systems is required; Upstream Biotech Processes (Fermentation, Bioreactors, Centrifugation, Thawing), Downstream / Purification Biotech Processes (chromatography, TFF, DF, NF-MF), Fill & Finish equipment, Media Preparation, CIP/SIP systems, Buffer Preparation, clean utilities (PW, WFI, CS, PS)
• Facilitate project management tools throughout the execution of projects, such as procurement tracking, vendor management, meeting minutes / action lists, risk register log, schedule updates, project updates.
• Coordinate meetings with cross-functional departments, to drive project progress, facilitate decisions, provide updates.
• Travel may be occasionally required for meetings with clients, equipment fabrication vendors or Factory Acceptance Testing (FATs).
• Work may require occasional support over shutdowns or extended hours, specifically during installation and commissioning / validation phases.
• Client-management (maintain key Client relationships in support of business development and pursuit of new work), project scheduling/budgeting, coordination of client and MMR resources for effective project delivery, supporting business development (providing technical support to the sales as required for proposals/opportunities), presenting at industry conferences/publishing papers etc.
• As this position requires working on client sites, you will need to comply with the client’s safety rules including mandatory vaccination policies for COVID-19, where applicable
• Visit construction and installation sites.
• Supervise contractors during critical installations of process equipment and associated utilities.
• Other duties as assigned by client, and/or MMR, based on workload and project requirements.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and spoken English is required including the preparation of technical documents in English
• Knowledge of GMP requirements for working in pharma/biotech facilities, with a Basic understanding of SOPs, Validation, Change Controls.
• Detailed knowledge of GAMP and its application to large and small scale systems.
• Detailed knowledge of data integrity requirements.
• Years of experience: Minimum 5+ years of pharma (8+ years is preferred) process automation engineering experience, with at least 3 years (5+ years is preferred) of process controls experience with DCS / SCADA / Historians with upstream or downstream bioprocesses.
• Ability to read electrical drawings, PLC code, DCS code.
• Ability to perform programming/configuration of Emerson DeltaV DCS.
• Possess leadership skills, and be able to take initiative to lead projects, involving multiple stakeholders, departments, and varying complexity.
• Possess mentorship skills, to coach and develop junior and intermediate employees.
• Basic knowledge of AutoCAD is an asset.
• Engineering degree, preferably in Electrical, Electromechanical, Controls, Chemical, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.