Utilities Automation Lead

Kelly Services; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 138,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced Benefits

Paid Holidays

PTO

Job summary

Kelly Engineering is seeking a Utilities Automation Lead for a major biopharmaceutical project in the Richmond, VA area. The role begins remotely with site visits and will transition onsite as the facility becomes operational.

You will lead automation for building utilities, collaborate with vendors, and ensure FAT/SAT and validation across drug substance and drug product environments. A complex, cross-functional project awaits with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with utilities automation (DeltaV, Rockwell, PLC/DCS) in GMP-regulated biopharma or pharmaceutical facilities.
• Strong knowledge of clean utility systems—such as WFI, clean steam, process gases, and plant-wide utility integration.
• Demonstrated history of delivering automation solutions for both drug substance (API) and drug product environments.
• Experience overseeing vendor and system integrator deliverables, from design through FAT/SAT and qualification.
• Engineering and technical documentation skills—able to manage specs, test plans, and validation protocols in a regulated environment.
• Ability to operate in a high-profile, complex greenfield project involving multiple stakeholders and evolving requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation of building utilities (WFI, clean steam, process gases, HVAC, water systems).
• Oversee automation strategies for utility systems leveraging DeltaV and Rockwell platforms, supporting both drug substance and drug product suites.
• Review P&IDs, block flow diagrams, instrumentation lists, and prepare/approve functional and design specifications for utility equipment.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and system integrators on code review, documentation, and commissioning/qualification activities - across both custom and packaged solutions.
• Act as the primary interface for cross-system integration and technical troubleshooting, supporting successful handover through the project lifecycle.
• Engage regularly with stakeholders, process leads, and area leads to align on schedules, priorities, scope, and technical queries.

Skills

Utilities automation

DeltaV

Rockwell

PLC/DCS

GMP biopharma experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

DeltaV

Rockwell Automation

PLC/DCS

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Utilities Automation Lead

Location: Richmond, VA (this role will start remote, then require being onsite as the site progresses)

Type: 3+ year Contract (with potential to convert)

Hourly Pay: $60-$100 per hour, based on level and experience

Benefits: Enhanced Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), Paid Holidays, PTO

Are you ready for a career-defining challenge at the forefront of biopharmaceutical manufacturing? We’re seeking a Utilities Automation Lead to join the core project team supporting a major, next-generation biologics and bioconjugation facility in the Richmond, VA area.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for automation of all building utilities, including clean utilities (WFI, clean steam, process gases, industrial gases, HVAC, and water systems).
• Oversee automation strategies for utility systems leveraging DeltaV and Rockwell platforms, supporting both drug substance and drug product suites.
• Review P&IDs, block flow diagrams, instrumentation lists, and prepare/approve functional and design specifications for utility equipment.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and system integrators on code review, documentation, and commissioning/qualification activities - across both custom (stick‑built) and packaged solutions.
• Act as the primary interface for cross-system integration and technical troubleshooting, supporting successful handover through the project lifecycle.
• Engage regularly with stakeholders, process leads, and area leads to align on schedules, priorities, scope, and technical queries.

The Ideal Candidate Will Bring

• Hands‑on experience with utilities automation (DeltaV, Rockwell, PLC/DCS) in GMP‑regulated biopharma or pharmaceutical facilities.
• Strong knowledge of clean utility systems—such as WFI (water for injection), clean steam, process gases, and plant‑wide utility integration.
• Demonstrated history of delivering automation solutions for both drug substance (active ingredient/API) and drug product (formulation/fill‑finish) environments.
• Experience overseeing vendor and system integrator deliverables, from design through FAT/SAT and qualification.
• Engineering and technical documentation skills—able to manage specs, test plans, and validation protocols in a regulated environment.
• Ability to operate in a high‑profile, complex greenfield project involving multiple stakeholders and evolving requirements.

Other Details

• This position begins remotely, with regular site visits as construction progresses, and will ultimately transition onsite once the facility is operational.
• Candidates must have a strong biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing background and an interest in joining an innovative, large‑scale project team.
• Competitive compensation offered.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Why Kelly® Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting‑edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short‑term projects or are looking for a long‑term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life.