Lead Automation Engineer – Life Sciences

Location: NY / New England Region / North Carolina (3 Openings)
Department: Operations Industry: Life Sciences / Automation

Our client is a large national engineering and system integration firm delivering advanced automation and control solutions across Life Sciences, CPG, and other process industries.

With decades of experience and a strong North American presence, they partner with leading manufacturers to design, standardize, and deploy scalable automation systems in complex, regulated environments. Life Sciences is a key growth area, supporting pharmaceutical clients in advancing digital manufacturing capabilities.

The Lead Automation Engineer will serve as the technical lead across a portfolio of projects, working closely with Project Management while maintaining hands‑on ownership of system design and development.

This is a true player-coach role
—you will lead from the front technically while also engaging directly with clients and supporting business development efforts.

• Lead the design, configuration, and testing of continuous and batch control systems
• Serve as the technical authority across projects
• PLC programming
• System integration and troubleshooting
• Mentor junior engineers and guide engineering direction
• Stay close to the code—this is not a hands‑off leadership role

• Manage a portfolio of projects alongside Project Managers
• Support: scheduling and budgeting, change order identification and justification, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting
• Act as a primary technical interface with clients
• Lead technical discussions, presentations, and working sessions
• Manage expectations and deliver difficult or complex messages when needed
• Operate with a service‑provider mindset and strong accountability
• Partner with sales teams on new project pursuits
• Contribute to proposals including:
  • Solution approach
  • Feasibility validation
  • Help position the organization as a trusted automation advisor

• Mentor and develop junior and mid‑level engineers
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices
• Contribute to building a strong technical culture

• 8+ years in process automation and controls engineering
• Strong background in Life Sciences
• Proven experience operating as a technical lead

• Deep experience with Rockwell Automation stack:
  Factory Talk (View, Batch, Historian)
• Experience with SCADA platforms (Ignition strongly preferred)
• Exposure to additional platforms (Siemens, Delta
  
  V, etc.) is a plus

• Experience with:
  • Batch and continuous process control
  • System integration and SQL/database connectivity
• Knowledge of:
  • ISA S88 / S95
  • GAMP 5
  • cGMP
  • 21 CFR Part 11
• Experience supporting startup and commissioning in live environments

• Proven experience working directly with clients
• Comfortable with:
  • Presentations
  • Managing expectations
  • Navigating challenging conversations
  • Ability to contribute to sales efforts and project acquisition

• Hybrid role with flexibility
• Must be local enough for regular office collaboration and mentorship
• Project-based travel (not excessive)
• Competitive base salary aligned with market for Lead Automation Engineers
• Performance-based bonuses including:
  • Project performance
  • Above "Above & Beyond" incentives (paid for hours over 40/week)

• 401(k) with immediate vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Ongoing training and professional development