Automation Engineer

Summary

Join Sequoia Biotech Consulting, a leading life sciences consultancy, as an experienced Automation Engineer. This role focuses on MES implementation, instrumentation and control engineering design for existing facilities, and automation projects. You will lead MES project implementation, produce design drawings, review vendor information, and troubleshoot equipment. The ideal candidate possesses a BS or MS in Engineering (Chemical or Electrical preferred) with relevant experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. Sequoia offers a competitive salary, robust benefits, flexible work arrangements, and career development opportunities.

Requirements

• BS degree in Engineering (Chemical or Electrical preferred) and 8 years of experience, or MS degree in Engineering (Chemical or Electrical preferred) and 6 years of experience
• 8 years of applicable instrumentation and control system experience
• 5 years in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry with GMP experience
• Proven experience in MES implementation, specifically for electronic batch records
• Practical knowledge of computer-aided manufacturing automation
• Practical knowledge of process, utility, and building control systems
• Practical knowledge of clean room or classified area design/requirements
• Practical knowledge of GMP guidelines and experience in generating controlled documents
• Practical knowledge of PID control theories and techniques
• Proficient in ISA standards and practices for instrumentation
• Proficient knowledge of programmable logic controllers and associated programming languages
• Validation experience related to control and computer systems
• Demonstrate good organizational and time utilization skills
• Demonstrate good interpersonal skills with an ability to interact well with a variety of personalities, discipline skills, and educational levels
• Demonstrate strong working knowledge of PC-based programs and systems
• Demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to generate engineering drawings and specifications
• Ability to interact closely with Process Engineering
• Ability to maintain close working relationships with Maintenance, Manufacturing, Development, Validation, and QA groups
• Ability to invest time in excess of an 8-hour day or 40-hour week to expedite or complete assignments as required
• Ability to comply with cGMP requirements (gowning, documentation, and procedures) for performing work within the manufacturing facility
• Ability to work most of the time independently with no direct supervision

Responsibilities

• Perform instrumentation and control engineering design services for existing facility projects, including upgrades and capacity expansions, equipment upgrading and replacement
• Lead the planning and implementation of MES projects, with a focus on electronic batch records
• Produce and review design drawings, which may include Process Flow Diagrams incorporating mass balances, and Process & Instrumentation Diagrams including all line sizing, instrumentation, and control philosophies
• Review design specification testing and perform field inspection services
• Interact with vendors and review/approve vendor information packages, including drawings and specifications, to ensure validation and control system requirements are met
• Play a lead role in the start-up and troubleshooting of process equipment and critical process utility systems
• Generate controlled documents to support the start-up, operation, validation, and maintenance of equipment and systems located in existing facilities
• Provide input into the validation of process equipment and associated utilities
• Support the work of the Engineering Group, including research/evaluation of instrumentation and control components, and review/modify control system concepts/logic as a result of troubleshooting

Benefits

• Market competitive base salary and annual incentive plan
• Robust benefit offerings
• Ongoing recognition and career development opportunities
• Generous flexible paid time off program
• Company-paid holidays
• Flexible working hours
• Fully remote work options for most positions and the ability to work “almost anywhere”