Senior Automation Engineer

Pinnaql; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Validation & Engineering Group, Inc. in Rockville, MD is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to support an Automation Resilience Program, spanning design, integration, testing, and validation of process automation systems.

You will lead troubleshooting, configuration, commissioning, and validation activities for BMS, PLCs, Zenon CDZ, and EMS, ensuring GMP compliance and data integrity while collaborating with Engineering, QA, IT, and Operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in Engineering, Automation, or related field.
• 8+ years in automation, controls, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with GMP-regulated facilities and validated systems.
• Hands-on design, configuration, integration, testing, or troubleshooting.
• Experience with commissioning, testing, qualification, or validation.
• Knowledge of GMP data integrity and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide automation engineering support from design through closeout.
• Support modifications to BMS, Zenon CDZ, EMS, PLCs and related systems.
• Assist with system integration, migration, and controls modifications.
• Configure, program, test, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues.
• Support testing, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Create, execute, review, and approve validation protocols per site requirements.
• Provide on-site technical support during outages and migrations.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, safety, quality, and data integrity.
• Maintain engineering drawings, configuration records, and turnover packages.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, vendors, and subcontractors.

Skills

Automation

Controls

Engineering

Problem Solving

Documentation

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Rockwell PLC

Zenon CDZ

BMS

SCADA

Job description

Validation & Engineering Group, Inc. (V&EG) a Pinnaql company is a leading services supplier who provides solutions for the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Chemical, Food, and Medical Devices industries in the following areas: Laboratory, Compliance, Computer, Engineering, Project Management, Validation, and other services.

We are seeking a talented, dedicated individual committed to work under the highest ethical standards for the following position:

Senior Automation Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to support an Automation Resilience Program in Rockville, MD.

The selected candidate will provide technical automation engineering support for system modifications, integration, implementation, testing, commissioning, validation, troubleshooting, and documentation activities. The role will work closely with the Automation Project Manager, Engineering, Automation, Operations, Quality, Validation, IT, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

Provide automation engineering support from design and planning through implementation, testing, commissioning, and closeout.

Support modifications and improvements to BMS, COPA-DATA Zenon (CDZ), EMS, PLCs, and process automation systems.

Support engineering design, system integration, migration, controls modifications, and implementation activities.

Perform and support automation system configuration, programming, testing, troubleshooting, and technical issue resolution.

Support testing, commissioning, and validation activities.

Support creation, execution, review, and approval of validation protocols in accordance with site requirements.

Provide technical support during system outages, shutdowns, migrations, and implementation activities in an active manufacturing environment.

Ensure automation activities comply with GMP, safety, quality, data integrity, and site procedures.

Review and maintain engineering drawings, configuration records, control documentation, test documentation, and as-built/turnover packages.

Work with internal stakeholders, vendors, system integrators, and subcontractors throughout project execution.

Identify and communicate technical risks, issues, dependencies, and potential impacts to safety, compliance, schedule, quality, or operations.

Support troubleshooting and resolution of automation, controls, communications, and system integration issues.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Controls, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, or related field.

8+ years of experience in automation, controls, engineering, or related manufacturing environments.

Experience supporting automation systems and projects in pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, or other GMP-regulated environments.

Hands-on experience with automation and controls system design, configuration, integration, testing, or troubleshooting.

Experience with commissioning, testing, qualification, or validation activities.

Working knowledge of GMP requirements and computerized systems in regulated manufacturing environments.

Experience working in active manufacturing facilities with controlled implementation and outage requirements.

Strong technical problem-solving, communication, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Ability to work on site in Rockville, MD and remain actively engaged with project and site teams.

Preferred Experience

Rockwell PLC / Controls

Process automation and system integration

PLC/control system migration

Automation architecture and data historization

GMP computerized systems

Commissioning and qualification

At Validation & Engineering Group, people always come first. We believe that when you're empowered to do your best work, bold ideas thrive and real progress happens. This isn't just a job - it's an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by shaping the future of healthcare and technology alongside a purpose-driven, supportive team.

Excited to build something meaningful together? We look forward to hearing from you.

Validation & Engineering Group is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,