Senior Engineer, Controls/Automation

The Senior Automation Engineer provides automation support for manufacturing operations in accordance with appropriate GMP and safety guidelines.  This support includes change control implementation, deviation investigation, routine automation computer system support activities, and off hours automation computer system support.  The Senior Automation Engineer also leads non-routine automation computer system support activities, delivers engineering projects to the business, can utilize first principles in delivery of these solutions, and can recommend new control strategies for the various chemical processes utilized in manufacturing operations.

The Senior Automation Engineer performs engineering design and installation services for automated process equipment, facility systems and software systems. They perform troubleshooting and corrective maintenance on all facility and production equipment. Primary responsibility is for maintaining automated electromechanical systems and software. This includes project support related to facility modifications, equipment installations, and maintenance activities. Typical project work involves developing specification for equipment and systems and coordinating implementation activities to place the systems into service.

To be successful, the position will interface with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, suppliers, and 3rd party contractor firms. Candidates should feel comfortable working in a plant environment. Strong communication and skills along with technical knowledge of process control systems are required ensure that the needs of manufacturing are being met on a consistent basis.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide automation technical support to manufacturing operations for D/3, DeltaV, and Rockwell/Allen-Bradley control system platforms and connected process information systems (e.g., data historians, alarm analytics software).
• Lead Modernization efforts to upgrade or replace obsolete control systems.
• Informally mentor less experienced engineers.
• Provide a high level of data mining and analysis to identify improvements in the manufacturing process.
• Design and implement automation related changes to manufacturing operations
• Develop and maintain validation documentation
• Lead investigation of automation related deviations.
• Support system support activities (e.g. system backups, performance monitoring, password maintenance, etc.)
• Provide off-hours automation support to operations.
• Perform all work in a manner consistent with company policies, procedures, and standards.
• Maintain a safe work environment, working safely and accountable for supporting all EHS Corporate and Site goals.
• Provide engineering solutions to the business.
• Automation design and delivery of new process units.
• Provides project management and technical leadership to projects.
• Oversight of specialists and/or contractors assisting in the delivery of automation solutions.
• Utilizes S88 Batch and fundamental engineering principles in the delivery of automation solutions.
• Is responsible for ensuring that life-cycle plans are developed and executed for automation systems.
• Provide recommendations on new control strategies/technologies.
• Research and maintain familiarity with various control strategies/technologies.
• Research and maintain familiarity with fermentation/chemical processes utilized in pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Hands on experience during project installation, startup and on-going support activities is important.
• Work with all departments to support the manufacturing operations and to improve methods for automated data collection and reporting, and overall reliability and performance of equipment and systems. This includes existing systems and new installation projects. Keep an open line of communication across departments and managerial lines.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, or closely related discipline, or equivalent technical experience plus demonstrated competence, with MINIMUM 5 years of significant engineering and / or operational experience.
• Expertise in distributed control systems (DCS), continuous process control, and PLC hardware.
• Interacts well with diverse groups within engineering and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.
• Experience with greenfield or large control system modernization implementations.
• Listens to and understands others’ points of view and articulates tactfully and respectfully one’s own perspective orally, in writing, and in presentations.
• Works well with other engineers in a collaborative, fast-paced goal-driven environment.
• Possesses interpersonal skills to negotiate and reconcile differences.
• Good written and verbal communication skills to interact with internal and external personnel providing timely information to avoid production delays. This includes timely, accurate, and neat completion of documentation, such as work orders and reports that meet GMP requirements.

Preferred:

• Technical background in Pharmaceutical or similar GMP-regulated industry.
• Experience with Emerson DeltaV, Fisher Provox, D/3 DCS systems or plant wide Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC implementations.