\<Job Overview\>
The Automation Engineer plays a critical role in the design, implementation, troubleshoot, and lifecycle management of automated systems supporting food and beverage manufacturing operations. This position leads automation projects that ensure safe, reliable, and efficient production processes while maintaining compliance with applicable food safety, quality, and regulatory standards and industry best practices. The role provides technical leadership across automation and controls, supports system validation and commissioning activities, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborates closely with engineering, quality, operations, and maintenance teams to optimize control systems used in manufacturing, packaging, utilities, and facility infrastructure.
\<Duties\>
Lead the design, configuration, programming, and integration of automation and control systems, including PLCs, DCS, HMIs, and SCADA, supporting food and beverage manufacturing and packaging operations.
Apply hands-on experience with automation platforms such as PLC: Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix), Siemens, Schneider and HMI/SCADA: Ignition, FactoryTalk View, Aveva System Platform
Develop automation architectures that ensure data integrity, system reliability, cybersecurity, and compliance with applicable food safety and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with equipment vendors and system integrators on system design, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and startup activities.
Provide technical support and troubleshooting for process control systems, instrumentation, and industrial network communication to minimize downtime and production losses.
Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) related to automation and control system issues impacting product quality, food safety, or operational efficiency.
Monitor automation system performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, throughput, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Develop and maintain User Requirements Specifications (URS), Functional Design Specifications (FDS), and detailed automation design documentation in alignment with food safety and quality systems.
Support system validation, commissioning, and verification activities to ensure automated systems consistently operate as intended, following industry best practices and risk-based approaches (GAMP 5 where applicable).
Ensure all automation system changes follow established Change Management, Risk Assessment, and Deviation processes.
Plan and execute automation projects from concept through startup, ensuring adherence to defined scope, schedule, budget, and operational requirements.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including Process Engineering, Quality/Food Safety, Operations, Maintenance, and IT, to ensure seamless system integration and support.
Mentor and guide junior automation engineers and technicians, promoting technical excellence, standardization, and best practices.
Evaluate emerging automation and digital technologies, recommend modernization initiatives, and support digital transformation efforts such as MES, data historians, industrial connectivity, and IIoT solutions.
\<Qualifications\>
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, Computer Engineering, or related fields.
Minimum 7+ years of experience in automation and control systems within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device manufacturing environments.
Advanced proficiency in PLC/DCS programming, SCADA/HMI configuration, CSV, and software lifecycle processes.
Strong knowledge of computer system lifecycle, change control, and FDA regulatory requirements.
Hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Wonderware, or similar platforms.
Proficiency with databases (MS SQL), and networking infrastructure.
Experience with data historian tools (OSI PI or equivalent).
Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical drawings.
Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
Bilingual English/Spanish required.
Synerlution is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status. We feel that having a diverse staff increases our capacity to drive synergy through solutions for our clients. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which all employees feel comfortable sharing their unique ideas and talents.
Job Type: Contract
Work Location: In person