Sr. Automation Controls Engineer

Avid Bioservices, Inc.; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Avid Bioservices is a leading biopharmaceutical CDMO focused on developing and manufacturing life-saving biologics. The Sr.

Automation Controls Engineer will maintain and upgrade control systems, drive process improvements, and support validation and manufacturing projects in a fast-paced, FDA-regulated environment. The role requires extensive experience with DDC/DCS/PLCs/SCADA/HMI, strong documentation skills, and the ability to work with operations, QA, and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field; or 5+ years with Associate’s degree; 10+ years with vendor training.
• 8+ years in an FDA/cGMP environment.
• Experience with DDC, DCS, PLCs, industrial networks, drives, motor controls, sensors, automation components, control instrumentation, valves, SCADA and HMI troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with process instrumentation and HVAC systems.
• Strong programming standards, documentation, and ability to learn and troubleshoot independently.
• Proficient with regulatory codes, electrical circuits, and Windows Server.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with operations, QA, vendors to maximize production and reduce costs.
• Advance products from development to commercial launch.
• Drive continuous process improvement and maintain FDA-compliant documentation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot control systems; perform maintenance and root cause analyses.
• Track critical process data and recommend improvements.
• Develop and maintain electrical drawings and P&ID diagrams.
• Support validation and manufacturing projects.
• Stay current with regulatory and industry standards.
• Participate in inspections/audits and respond in writing as needed.
• Adhere to FDA regulations and safety policies.
• Perform other assigned tasks.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Automation

Problem solving

Documentation

MS Office

Teamwork

Regulatory understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

DDC

DCS

PLCs

SCADA

HMI

Job description

Looking to join a passionate team dedicated to developing and manufacturing life‑saving biopharmaceuticals? Avid Bioservices is a leading clinical and commercial biologics CDMO focused on creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of our clients and improve patient outcomes.

Your Role:

As our Sr. Automation Controls Engineer, you'll be responsible for ensuring that our manufacturing processes and utilities are in tip‑top shape and running like a dream. Whether it's maintaining control systems, identifying potential issues, or participating in installations and upgrades, you'll be the one leading the charge.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with operations, quality assurance, vendors, and suppliers to maximize production effectiveness and optimize performance while lowering operating costs.
• Advance products from clinical development to commercial launch.
• Focus on continuous process improvement and documentation according to FDA standards.
• Maintain control systems, perform maintenance, troubleshoot, and conduct root cause analyses.
• Track and evaluate critical process data to recommend process improvement.
• Develop and maintain electrical and P&ID drawings.
• Support validation and manufacturing projects.
• Maintain knowledge of regulatory and industry standards.
• Participate in inspections/audits and provide written responses as necessary.
• Adhere to FDA regulations, corporate safety policies, and other assigned tasks.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, automation technology, or a related technical field. Alternatively, five or more years of relevant experience coupled with an Associate's degree, or ten or more years of experience with documented automation training from a certified software or hardware vendor, will be considered.
• 8+ years of experience in an FDA/cGMP regulated environment.
• Experience with DDC, DCS, PLCs, industrial networks, drives, motor controls, sensors, automation components, control instrumentation, proportional valves, servo controls, SCADA, and HMI troubleshooting is preferred.
• Familiarity with various types of process instrumentation and Air Handler HVAC systems.
• Understanding of good programming standards and practices.
• Proven ability to independently learn and troubleshoot systems and devices.
• Familiarity with common codes and standards, electrical circuits, and Virtual Servers/Windows Server.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Strong attention to detail and work ethic.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in basic MS Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel)

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This role is a full‑time onsite position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise stated by Supervisor. Must be available to work holidays, weekends, or extended hours if needed. This position includes participation in an on‑call rotation to provide support outside of regular business hours.

Compensation:

We offer competitive compensation packages for this role, including a base salary, performance‑based bonuses, and comprehensive benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off.

The compensation range for this role is $121,600 to $152,000 annually depending on experience and qualifications. Additionally, we offer opportunities for career growth and development as well as a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Who you are:

• You have a "bring it on!" team player approach and an unshakable positive attitude, always ready to tackle anything that comes your way.
• Your written and verbal skills are out of this world, and you communicate with clarity and confidence.
• You have exceptional multitasking skills and an unparalleled attention to detail that ensure the smooth running of everything.
• You are a master at building relationships, capable of establishing connections with anyone, be it team members, clients, vendors, or suppliers.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

In this dynamic role, expect a blend of regular activities like sitting, standing, and walking, with occasional physically engaging tasks such as lifting objects up to 20 pounds. The work environment might expose you to electrical shocks, toxic chemicals, vibrations, or loud noise levels occasionally. However, reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with different abilities to perform effectively, ensuring a supportive and adaptable work setting. Your visual acuity, including close, distance, and color vision, will be essential in navigating through the diverse day‑to‑day demands of this position.