Job Title: Senior/Lead Automation Engineer API Manufacturing
Experience: 712 years (API / pharmaceutical plant preferred)
Job Type: 6 months contract role (extendable)
Job Summary:
We are looking for an experienced Lead Automation Engineer to oversee the automation systems of our API manufacturing operations. The role involves leading automation projects, managing a team of engineers/technicians, and ensuring optimal performance, compliance, and reliability of plant automation systems.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design, development, and implementation of PLC/DCS control systems, SCADA, and instrumentation in API manufacturing.
- Manage, mentor, and guide a team of automation engineers and technicians.
- Plan, execute, and oversee automation projects, including system upgrades, commissioning, and validation (FAT/SAT/IQ/OQ/PQ).
- Collaborate with production, process, quality, and maintenance teams to drive automation solutions that enhance safety, quality, and productivity.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex automation issues to minimize downtime and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including control system architecture, P&IDs, loop diagrams, and SOPs.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, implementing process optimization through automation.
- Ensure all automation activities comply with cGMP, FDA, and other regulatory standards.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation, or related engineering field.
- 712 years of experience in automation engineering in API/pharmaceutical manufacturing, with at least 23 years in a lead or supervisory role.
- Strong expertise in PLCs (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or equivalent), DCS, SCADA, and HMI systems.
- Proven experience in project management, commissioning, troubleshooting, and validation of automation systems.
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance (cGMP, FDA) and pharmaceutical industry standards.
- Excellent leadership, mentoring, and team management skills.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Effective communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and reporting.
Preferred:
- Experience in batch and continuous process control in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Familiarity with automation system lifecycle management and vendor coordination.
- Hands-on experience with process improvement and cost optimization projects.
