Validation Engineer

Brooksource; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking an Automation Validation Engineer to support a North Chicago site expansion by decommissioning automation systems, controls and piping ahead of planned demolition. The role focuses on generating and reviewing decommissioning protocols, coordinating approvals, and tracking activities through completion, with on-site work five days per week.

Strong documentation and coordination skills are essential for this regulatory environment.

Qualifications

• 3-4+ years of experience in automation validation, qualification, or related engineering.
• Experience in a pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, or FDA-regulated environment.
• Strong documentation, organization, and tracking skills.
• Ability to work on-site five days per week in North Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Generate, review, and execute automation decommissioning protocols.
• Prepare validation documentation and coordinate required reviews and approvals.
• Support the execution of automation system decommissioning activities.
• Track outstanding decommissioning requirements and maintain visibility into project progress.
• Coordinate with automation and decommissioning team members to ensure activities remain aligned with project timelines and priorities.
• Complete post-execution documentation and approvals in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Support decommissioning activities involving automation systems, associated controls, and piping points.

Skills

Automation validation

Documentation & records

Project coordination

On-site work

Tools

Emerson DeltaV

DCS

PLC systems

D3 automation

Job description

We are seeking an Automation Validation Engineer to support a site expansion project at AbbVie’s North Chicago manufacturing site. The project involves decommissioning automation systems within an existing manufacturing area ahead of planned demolition activities, including associated controls and piping points.

The ideal candidate will have experience with automation validation, qualification, and protocol execution within a pharmaceutical or other FDA-regulated environment. This role is primarily focused on generating and reviewing decommissioning protocols, coordinating approvals, supporting execution, and tracking outstanding activities through completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate, review, and execute automation decommissioning protocols.
• Prepare validation documentation and coordinate required reviews and approvals.
• Support the execution of automation system decommissioning activities.
• Track outstanding decommissioning requirements and maintain visibility into project progress.
• Coordinate with automation and decommissioning team members to ensure activities remain aligned with project timelines and priorities.
• Complete post-execution documentation and approvals in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Support decommissioning activities involving automation systems, associated controls, and piping points.

Required Qualifications

• 3-4+ years of relevant experience in automation validation, qualification, or a related engineering discipline.
• Understanding of automation systems and the requirements associated with system decommissioning.
• Experience working in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or other FDA-regulated environment.
• Strong documentation, organization, and tracking skills.
• Ability to work on-site five days per week in North Chicago.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with Emerson DeltaV or comparable distributed control systems (DCS).
• Experience with PLCs or other industrial automation systems.
• Familiarity with D3 or similar automation technologies.
• Understanding of automation system configurations, interfaces, and supporting controls.
• The role is documentation-focused, with hands-on system execution making up a smaller portion of the work.
• DeltaV programming and software development are not required.
• D3-specific experience is preferred but not mandatory.
• Candidates with relevant automation validation experience from other FDA-regulated industries will be considered.

Eight Eleven Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, citizenship, disability, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.