Valpro has several available opportunities supporting our world-class client sites or partner organizations. Whether you are an independent consultant or a potential employee looking for your next project, learn more about what we have to offer. View our open positions below.

🚀 Senior Automation Engineer

Automation, Information & Operations Technology Solutions

Consulting or Long-Term Career Opportunity

Are you an automation professional who thrives on solving complex manufacturing challenges in regulated environments?

We're seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to support a high-impact pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion project focused on increasing vaccine production capacity. This role is ideal for a technically strong automation engineer with hands-on experience across the full system development lifecycle (SDLC) of manufacturing control systems.

Due to the specialized nature of this engagement, we're open to both:

✅ Long-term team members interested in growing their consulting career

✅ Experienced Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) seeking project-based consulting opportunities

🔬 What You'll Be Working On

This project supports the implementation of automation systems within a major biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment, helping increase production capabilities for critical vaccine operations.

Key project initiatives include:

Implementation of the Emerson DeltaV Batch System
Utilization of PCSD Libraries and DeltaV Live
Full lifecycle automation project execution
Integration of manufacturing control systems within a regulated pharmaceutical environment

⚙️ Responsibilities

As a Senior Automation Engineer, you'll participate in the full lifecycle delivery of automation and manufacturing systems, including:

Automation System Development

Design, configure, and implement:
- DCS (Distributed Control Systems)
- PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers)
- MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems)
- Data Historian platforms, including OSI PI
Develop Software Design Specifications (SDS)
Participate in design workshops and technical reviews
Configure automation software and batch control strategies

Testing & Commissioning

Execute automation testing activities
Support:
- SFATs (Shop Factory Acceptance Testing)
- Vendor FATs
- Site Acceptance Testing
- Startup and commissioning activities

Project Delivery

Develop engineering and technical documentation
Assist with operating and maintenance procedures
Support validation and qualification efforts
Collaborate with process, manufacturing, validation, and quality teams

Continuous Improvement

Assess equipment and process modifications
Improve operational efficiency, reliability, and manufacturing performance
Support modernization of manufacturing systems and digital operations

🎯 What Makes You a Strong Fit

We're looking for someone who combines automation expertise with strong pharmaceutical manufacturing knowledge.

Required Qualifications

✅ 5+ years of automation engineering experience

✅ Experience with the SDLC of manufacturing automation systems

✅ Strong understanding of:

PLCs
DCS platforms
SCADA Systems
Industrial networking
Process control strategies

✅ Hands-on ISA-88 (S88) Batch experience

✅ Ability to develop and interpret engineering documentation

✅ Experience participating in automation projects from design through startup

✅ Able to travel onsite during critical project phases

⭐ Preferred Experience

Candidates with the following experience will stand out:

Automation Platforms

Emerson DeltaV
DeltaV Batch
DeltaV Live
Allen-Bradley Controllers
Allen-Bradley HMI Systems

Pharmaceutical & Biotech

FDA-regulated manufacturing environments
Biotechnology facilities
Pharmaceutical production facilities
Vaccine manufacturing operations

Validation & Compliance

IQ / OQ / PQ protocol development and execution
Computer System Validation (CSV)
Commissioning & Qualification (C&Q)
GxP manufacturing systems

🌎 Work Environment & Travel

Location

✅ Primarily Remote

Onsite Expectations

Travel required during commissioning and startup activities
Ability to be onsite when project milestones require support

Relocation

Temporary relocation willingness is highly desirable

Expenses

Project-related travel expenses reimbursed at cost

📅 Contract Duration

6-24+ Month Assignment

Long-term extension potential based on project needs and performance.

💡 Why Join Us?

At Valpro, you'll work alongside industry-leading automation professionals supporting some of the most innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers in the world.

You'll gain exposure to:

Large-scale automation programs
Advanced DeltaV Batch implementations
Complex manufacturing digital transformation initiatives
Critical vaccine and life sciences manufacturing projects

If you're passionate about automation, process technology, and helping manufacturers solve challenging production problems, we'd love to talk with you.

🔑 Keywords

DeltaV, Emerson DeltaV, DeltaV Live, DeltaV Batch, PLC, DCS, SCADA, MES, OSI PI, Automation Engineer, Batch Automation, ISA-88, S88, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Biotech, CSV, IQ/OQ/PQ, FAT, SAT, Commissioning, Validation, Vaccine Manufacturing

Valpro offers flexible career options that includes benefits such as paid time off, paid holidays, medical, 401K match, and other unique incentives.

When receiving e-mails from a Proconex or Valspec recruiter, you will only receive e-mails from addresses ending in @proconexdirect.com, @proconex.net or @valspec.net. Any other domains are impersonations and should be ignored.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the United States without company sponsorship. Also, we are not interested in working on a corp-to-corp basis with other companies at this time.

Any third-party unsolicited resume submission(s) will immediately become the property of Valpro. Valpro will not pay any fee to a submitting employment agency, person, or entity unless a signed agreement is established.

Valpro is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected class. We are committed to providing a professional environment free of any discrimination or harassment, and we are proud to be a Drug-Free Workplace.