Principal Automation and Controls Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical firm is looking for a Principal Automation / Controls Engineer to join its dynamic team in Pretoria. This key role involves designing and improving automation systems critical to the production of pharmaceutical products. The ideal applicant will possess significant experience in manufacturing automation within regulated environments and demonstrate proven leadership in cross-functional team initiatives. Responsibilities include managing capital projects, ensuring compliance with standards, and enhancing system performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years in automation/controls engineering experience.
• Familiarity with computer system validation and project documentation.
• Experience in FDA-regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical efforts in the implementation and improvement of control systems.
• Oversee capital projects and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Support troubleshooting of PLCs, HMIs, and related instrumentation.

Skills

Automation Engineering

Controls Engineering

Technical Leadership

PLC Troubleshooting

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Allen Bradley PLCs

Industrial Automation Systems

Vision Systems

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Description

A leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in the St. Louis, MO area is seeking a Principal Automation / Controls Engineer to join its growing engineering team. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, support, and continuous improvement of automation and electrical control systems that support pharmaceutical production processes—including sterile and highly regulated environments.

The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in manufacturing controls engineering, be well-versed in regulated environments such as cGMP or FDA-regulated industries, and demonstrate strong technical leadership within cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership in the implementation, maintenance, and improvement of control systems across manufacturing operations.

• Execute capital projects, including scope development, equipment upgrades, control system design, installation, and commissioning.

• Support and troubleshoot existing automation infrastructure, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, vision systems, and related instrumentation.

• Collaborate with departments such as Operations, Project Management, Quality, and EH&S to align engineering efforts with site objectives.

• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance strategies for automation systems.

• Identify system improvements and ensure implementation aligns with compliance standards and business priorities.

• Conduct field inspections and oversee system integrations, including electrical panel builds and hardware installation.

• Contribute to the planning and execution of capital budgets, including vendor coordination and estimating labor/materials.

• Ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA, cGMP, ISO, NRC).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field highly .

• Minimum of 8 years of automation/controls engineering experience in manufacturing.

• Strong working knowledge of Allen Bradley PLCs, HMI platforms, and industrial automation systems.

• Experience with robotics, vision systems, and industrial sensors.

• Proven ability to manage automation capital projects from design through implementation.

• Experience supporting systems in a regulated manufacturing environment (pharmaceutical, medical device, or similar).

• Familiarity with Computer System Validation, change control processes, and project documentation requirements.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• : Experience with 480V/110V power distribution, Building Management Systems (BMS), security/access control systems.

• : Understanding of network protocols (Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet) and SQL database reporting.

You should be proficient in:

• PLC Troubleshooting Skills
• 120/208/240/480 Voltage Systems
• FDA Regulations
• Industrial Robot Programming
• Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Equipment
• PLC Programming Experience
• Programming Machine Vision Systems
• PLC Wiring Experience
• SQL Administration Experience

Machines & technologies you'll use:

• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (Allen Bradley)
• Vision System
• HMI
• Servo Motors
• Industrial Robot