Senior Automation Engineer — Pharma & Life Sciences

TAI; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 135,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Annual Profit Sharing Bonus

PTO and Paid Holidays

Health Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

TAI is seeking a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer/Subject Matter Expert to provide technical leadership for industrial automation and control system projects in pharmaceutical and life sciences environments. You will oversee designs, evaluate technical solutions, and guide project teams to deliver compliant, reliable systems.

You’ll partner with engineering, construction and operations to shape automation strategies, review requirements, and ensure safety, quality, and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (Master’s degree preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• 8+ years of controls system design experience, including construction documentation.
• 3+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry.
• Experience designing, programming, and maintaining control systems and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of industrial control systems, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and field devices.
• Experience reviewing and approving electrical, control panel, and construction drawings.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (TCP/IP, Modbus, Profibus, etc.).
• Knowledge of hazardous area design, safety systems, and applicable industry standards.
• Understanding of GMP, ISPE, GAMP 5, and computerized system validation practices.
• Strong communication skills with experience collaborating with clients and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders to ensure business needs are reflected in project designs.
• Develop and review technical requirements, specifications, and design deliverables.
• Ensure designs meet safety, quality, compliance, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Support contractor selection, procurement activities, and technical package reviews.
• Provide technical guidance and design assurance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify opportunities to improve value, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Participate in project planning, meetings, and risk assessments.
• Review electrical aspects of mechanical, BMS, and EMS systems.
• Support redundancy, maintenance, and operational strategy development.
• Provide technical support and resolve issues during construction.

Skills

Controls system design

Communication with clients

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

PE license preferred

Tools

PlantPAx

Wonderware

iFIX

DeltaV

Siemens

SCADA

PLC programming

Job description

TAI is seeking a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer/Subject Matter Expert to provide technical leadership for industrial automation and control system projects in pharmaceutical and life sciences environments. You will oversee designs, evaluate technical solutions, and guide project teams to deliver compliant, reliable systems.

You’ll partner with engineering, construction and operations to shape automation strategies, review requirements, and ensure safety, quality, and timely delivery.