Sr. Automation Engineer/ Area Lead

Cognizant; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer / Area Lead in Indianapolis to drive automation delivery for DeltaV life sciences projects. You will lead a small team, develop design deliverables, and coordinate testing, startup, and validation in GMP environments.

Role requires 6+ years in Life Sciences automation, DeltaV experience, and a engineering degree. Hybrid remote options are available with onsite collaboration in Indianapolis as needed.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of Life Sciences automation experience with strong hands-on experience with Emerson DeltaV systems in Life Sciences manufacturing environments.
• Experience designing and developing Functional Specifications, Detailed Design Specifications, and other automation lifecycle documentation.
• Experience leading small automation engineering teams and coordinating technical deliverables, including providing technical direction for software configuration, testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Understanding of GMP-regulated environments and validation expectations, along with strong knowledge of automation project lifecycles from design through deployment.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Onsite work in Indianapolis is required or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation delivery activities for a defined process area, providing technical leadership to a small team of automation engineers.
• Develop automation design deliverables, including Functional Specifications, Detailed Design Specifications, software design documentation, testing documentation, and commissioning support packages.
• Gather requirements and develop technical solutions, providing configuration guidance and leading design reviews.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and resolve technical issues through testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Represent Cognizant with client leadership, making sound technical decisions to drive successful project execution within a GMP-regulated environment.

Skills

Life Sciences automation

Team leadership

GMP knowledge

Requirements gathering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Emerson DeltaV

Job description

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.

Senior Automation Engineer / Area Lead

About the role

As a Senior Automation Engineer / Area Lead, you will make an impact by leading automation delivery activities for a defined process area supporting DeltaV automation projects within manufacturing facilities. You will be a valued member of the automation delivery team and work collaboratively with client engineering, operations, validation, and project teams.

In this role, you will:

• Lead automation delivery activities for a defined process area, providing technical leadership to a small team of automation engineers.
• Develop automation design deliverables, including Functional Specifications, Detailed Design Specifications, software design documentation, testing documentation, and commissioning support packages.
• Gather requirements and develop technical solutions, providing configuration guidance and leading design reviews.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and resolve technical issues through testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Represent Cognizant with client leadership, making sound technical decisions to drive successful project execution within a GMP-regulated environment.

Work model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• 6+ years of Life Sciences automation experience, with strong hands-on experience with Emerson DeltaV systems in Life Sciences manufacturing environments.
• Experience designing and developing Functional Specifications, Detailed Design Specifications, and other automation lifecycle documentation.
• Experience leading small automation engineering teams and coordinating technical deliverables, including providing technical direction for software configuration, testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Understanding of GMP-regulated environments and validation expectations, along with strong knowledge of automation project lifecycles from design through deployment.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

These will help you stand out

• Experience supporting batch process automation, process control systems, and manufacturing operations.
• Strong communication, planning, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to identify risks, resolve technical issues, and maintain schedule alignment across project teams.
• Willingness to work onsite in Indianapolis and interface directly with stakeholders as needed.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until September 11, 2026

The annual salary for this position is between $90,000- $130,000 USD depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.