Sr Automation Project Manager – Facility Startup

Automationtechies; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Automationtechies seeks a Senior Automation Project Manager to lead delivery for a new facility startup. You will own the automation workstream from code handover through first demo batch, ensuring GMP compliance and readiness for startup.

The role requires a track record of leading automation for a new facility startup in pharma or regulated industry, with strong cross-functional collaboration and vendor/CI coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in chemical/electrical/controls engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in automation engineering or automation project management.
• Led automation workstreams for a new facility startup in pharma or regulated industry.
• Experience with DCS/SCADA/MES vendors and system integrators.
• Understanding of ISA-88, GMP, CSV, and data integrity.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation project management for a new facility startup, including scope, schedule, and punch-list oversight.
• Act as liaison between process engineering, automation engineering, system integrators, construction teams, and Site Quality.
• Coordinate FAT/SAT and support CSV to ensure readiness for commissioning and startup.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to scope, schedule, and quality.
• Provide status updates to site leadership and stakeholders.
• Assist development of automation staffing plans, standards, and procedures.
• Collaborate with Site Quality to integrate CSV, data integrity, and GMP strategies.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Electrical, Controls Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

DeltaV Batch DCS

Honeywell Experion

Rockwell PlantPAx

Job description

Senior Automation Project Manager – Facility Startup

Overview: Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Automation Project Manager to lead automation project delivery for a new facility. This individual will take ownership of the automation workstream from code handover through first demo batch, ensuring all control systems are delivered on schedule, fully GMP-compliant, and ready to support a successful startup.

This is a high-visibility role ideal for an automation professional who has personally led automation activities for at least one new facility startup within pharma or another regulated industry. The environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and suited to someone who thrives in cross-functional project leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead automation project management for a new facility startup, including scope, schedule, and punch‑list oversight for all control system deliverables

• Act as the primary liaison between process engineering, automation engineering, system integrators, construction teams, and Site Quality

• Coordinate FAT/SAT execution and support Computer System Validation (CSV) to ensure systems are ready for commissioning, qualification, and startup

• Identify, track, and mitigate risks related to automation scope, schedule, and quality

• Provide ongoing project status updates to site leadership and key stakeholders

• Support development of automation staffing plans, standards, and procedures for a new site organization

• Partner closely with Site Quality to integrate CSV, data integrity, and GMP compliance strategies into project execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Electrical, Controls Engineering, or related discipline

• 8+ years of automation engineering or automation project management experience

• Proven experience leading automation workstreams for at least one new or greenfield facility startup in a pharmaceutical or regulated manufacturing environment

• Strong background working with DCS/SCADA/MES vendors and system integrators

• Solid understanding of ISA-88 batch standards, GMP, CSV, and data integrity principles

• Demonstrated project management capability across scope, schedule, and budget

• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Experience

• PMP or equivalent project management certification

• Hands‑on experience with DeltaV Batch DCS or comparable platforms (Honeywell Experion, Rockwell PlantPAx, etc.)

• Experience leading C&Q activities for greenfield or major capital automation projects

• Background in building automation teams, standards, and procedures for new manufacturing sites

• Familiarity with electronic validation/test management systems (e.g., Kneat)

Base salary + additional hourly compensation based on billable hours performance. The salary range above assumes 1880 billable hours a year (5 weeks of vacation).

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