Senior Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer – Cold Room / Refrigeration

This Senior Automation Engineer role focuses on leading the commissioning and startup of advanced cold room and refrigeration systems that support injectable pharmaceutical storage in a large-scale cold chain expansion project. You will serve as the technical subject matter expert for CO2-based cold room systems, ensuring they are designed, installed, and operated in compliance with stringent GMP requirements. In this position, you will collaborate closely with vendors and internal engineering, quality, and automation teams to deliver highly reliable, automated cold chain solutions.

• Lead the commissioning and startup of CO2-based cold room systems for injectable pharmaceutical storage.
• Act as the technical subject matter expert for industrial refrigeration and cold room design and operation.
• Partner with external vendors to install refrigeration systems and bring them safely and efficiently online.
• Review and interpret system documentation, manuals, and installation specifications to ensure correct implementation.
• Perform detailed system assessments to verify operational readiness and performance of cold room and refrigeration equipment.
• Support the preparation and maintenance of compliance and validation documentation in a GMP-regulated environment.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, automation, and robotics teams to integrate cold room systems with automated equipment, including ASRS and AGV systems.
• Provide expertise in cold chain system performance, optimization, and continuous improvement of automated processes.
• Contribute to commissioning, qualification, validation, and testing activities for refrigeration, automation, and software systems.
• Ensure alignment of cold chain and automation solutions with Industry 4.0, IIoT, and digital manufacturing strategies.
• Communicate project status, risks, and technical issues clearly to stakeholders and cross-functional partners.
• Travel to project sites as needed to oversee installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization activities.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in industrial refrigeration and cold room design.
• 5+ years of experience specifically in CO2 cold room design and operation.
• Strong proficiency in automation and PLC programming for industrial and cold storage applications.
• Hands‑on experience with cold storage, cold room systems, and refrigeration equipment, including CO2‑based systems.
• Knowledge of refrigerants and their application in industrial refrigeration systems.
• Experience with automated equipment and automation technologies in an industrial setting.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP and validation processes in regulated environments.
• Experience working in environments governed by GMP, OSHA, and EPA regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in commissioning, qualification, validation, and testing of equipment and software systems.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, coordination, and execution of technical projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Experience with robotics, including Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV), strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 concepts, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and digital manufacturing technologies.
• Proficiency in deploying and adopting automated processes, technologies, and systems in industrial environments.
• Experience working under FDA-regulated conditions, including GMP‑compliant operations.
• Background in software system testing and validation within automation or manufacturing contexts.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally, including to project and client sites, as required.

This role operates in a hybrid work model, with approximately 50% of the time onsite and 50% remote. The initial onboarding period typically requires 1–2 weeks onsite to become familiar with systems, processes, and teams. The position involves around 30% travel, with hotel, mileage, and related expenses covered, to…