Job Title: Automation Engineer
Location: Richmond, VA
Type: Full-time, Permanent
Schedule: M-F, 2nd shift, 3 PM - 11 PM
Industry: Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing
JOB SUMMARY
We are searching for an Automation Engineer to work second shift with experience in pharmaceutical drug product manufacturing. At a new fill-finish facility in Petersburg, VA, we are dedicated to manufacturing and supplying essential generic sterile injectable medications.
As a member of the Engineering Team, the successful candidate will be required to support system automation initiatives and perform troubleshooting that requires a good understanding of analytical problem-solving techniques, project management, lifecycle management, network, and virtual environments. The position requires a good understanding of programming, design, installation, and lifecycle management of manufacturing process controls, packaging equipment, aseptic filling lines, automation, industrial networks, virtual environments, and field instrumentation technologies.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work with SCADA Systems: Preferably Rockwell’s FactoryTalk View.
- PLC & HMI Troubleshooting: Work with Rockwell and HMI systems to resolve control issues.
- Rockwell Software Support: Maintain systems like Data Historian, AssetCentre, and FactoryTalk Directory.
- Issue Resolution: Troubleshoot daily issues and mentor junior engineers.
- Control Systems Knowledge: Strong grasp of control system standards, instrumentation, programming, and design in a cGMP setting.
- Documentation: Develop specs, SOPs, test scripts, and standards.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with different teams and clients to meet goals.
- Self-Motivated & Organized: Independent and able to multi-task in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
- Automation Oversight: Manage process control in a GMP-regulated environment.
- Change Control: Ensure automation/process changes follow change control protocols.
- Root Cause Analysis: Lead investigations and troubleshooting of control system issues.
- New Product/Tech Support: Perform engineering assessments and configure automation systems for new products or technologies.
- Equipment Design & Testing: Design and test automation for process and packaging equipment.
- Network Support: Assist in implementing new networking technologies and architecture improvements.
SKILLS REQUIRED TO GET AN INTERVIEW
- Master’s degree with 2+ years of Engineering/Automation experience OR Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of Engineering/Automation experience OR Associate degree and 6+ years of Engineering/Automation experience (Preferably Electrical or Computer Engineering)
- Familiarity with 21 CFR Part 11, Data Integrity, and GAMP 5.
- Knowledge and understanding of Data Integrity and how it applies to the Pharmaceutical Industry with a specific focus on guidelines from the FDA.
- Experience in a GMP environment, change control, nonconformance, corrective and preventive actions, and validation practices.
- Knowledge of systems such as Allen Bradley PLC platforms (ControlLogix and CompactLogix) Studio 5000 software.
- Knowledge of FactoryTalk Directory, FactoryTalk AssetCentre, FactoryTalk Data Historian, Factory Talk View SE & ME, and WIN911.
- Experience working with virtual environments. (ESXI version 7.0, VMware Workstation, Virtual Network Configuration).
PREFFERED SKILLS
- Experience in sterile fill-finish facility manufacturing.
- Experience with regulatory inspections.
- Programming Switches, Firewalls, and designing networking architecture is preferred.
- ThinManager/Thin Clients, SQL Server design, implementation, and support.
- Experience with BMS, EMS systems, OPC, ODBC, Data Historians, WIN911, as well as Chillers, Boilers, HVAC and Wastewater systems.
