Senior Controls & Automation Engineer

United Pharma; New Hampshire; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

United Pharma is seeking an experienced Senior Controls & Automation Engineer to lead automation and controls initiatives within a GMP‑regulated manufacturing environment. This role provides technical expertise across manufacturing improvements, equipment upgrades, capital projects, commissioning, qualification, technology transfer, and automation optimization.

The ideal candidate will serve as the Controls SME, collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, Engineering, and Technical

Qualifications

• Experience in GMP manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience with PLC, HMI, SCADA and control-system configuration.
• Experience with commissioning, startup, qualification, and technology transfer.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience using Historian data for process optimization.
• Experience managing Change Controls, CAPA, deviations, and engineering documentation.
• Strong technical writing skills for SOPs, Functional Specifications, Work Instructions, and automation documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and controls projects supporting manufacturing improvements, equipment upgrades, and capital engineering initiatives.
• Provide technical expertise for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and process automation systems used in GMP manufacturing.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, startup, qualification, and technology transfer activities.
• Troubleshoot automation and process-control problems, conduct root cause analysis, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Review, modify, and optimize PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control-system configurations to improve equipment performance and reliability.
• Evaluate Historian data, process trends, and system performance to identify opportunities for process optimization and improved manufacturing efficiency.
• Manage and support Change Controls, CAPAs, deviations, and engineering documentation while maintaining GMP compliance.

Skills

GMP manufacturing

PLC

HMI

SCADA

Control systems

Commissioning

Startup

Qualification

Technology transfer

Root cause analysis

Historian data

Change Controls

CAPA

Deviations

Technical writing

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Controls & Automation Engineer to lead automation and controls initiatives within a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment. This position will provide technical expertise across manufacturing improvements, equipment upgrades, capital projects, commissioning, qualification, technology transfer, and automation optimization.

The ideal candidate will serve as a Controls SME, working closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, Engineering, and Technical Operations teams to improve system reliability, production performance, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead automation and controls projects supporting manufacturing improvements, equipment upgrades, and capital engineering initiatives.
• Provide technical expertise for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and process automation systems used in GMP manufacturing.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, startup, qualification, and technology transfer activities.
• Troubleshoot automation and process-control problems, conduct root cause analysis, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Review, modify, and optimize PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control-system configurations to improve equipment performance and reliability.
• Evaluate Historian data, process trends, and system performance to identify opportunities for process optimization and improved manufacturing efficiency.
• Manage and support Change Controls, CAPAs, deviations, and engineering documentation while maintaining GMP compliance.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Strong experience with industrial automation and process control systems in a GMP manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control-system configuration.
• Experience with commissioning, startup, qualification, and technology transfer.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis capabilities.
• Experience using Historian/process data for equipment and manufacturing optimization.
• Experience managing Change Controls, CAPA, deviations, and engineering documentation.
• Strong technical writing experience with SOPs, Functional Specifications, Work Instructions, and automation documentation.