Lead Automation Engineer

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.
LEAD AUTOMATION ENGINEER
(AUTOMATION, INFORMATION & OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS)
We are looking for tech savvy professionals with a proven track record in the SDLC (system development life cycle) of automated computer systems within biopharmaceutical environments. Due to our unique approach in meeting the demands of our customers, we are pursuing both individuals that can join our team long term as well as SMEs (subject matter experts) that would like to join us on a consulting basis.
This role will provide overall technical leadership and supervision on systems projects:

• Lead the execution of large projects of the highest complexity and broadest scope.
• Support the Project Manager in managing budget and schedule.
• Plan, organize and lead the project team, develop the project execution strategy and control the project scope.
• Provide expertise in the application of control system technology to the control requirements of the process and related process equipment.
• Direct the effort to design, implement and test process control strategies utilizing the continuous and batch capabilities of the control system technology.
• Assure consistency, adherence to project and department standards, utilization of tools across all areas of the project, and proper documentation for work performed.
• Works within assigned technical scope, budget and schedule constraints, with direct responsibility for results.

The responsibilities and duties include:

• Project planning and management, including scope, execution, budget, schedule, documentation and resources.
• Work assignment and work direction for the project team members, including subcontract management.
• Development of project standards for design, implementation, testing and documentation.
• Leading/overseeing the development and review of System Hardware Design Specifications/BOM for the network equipment, control systems and control panels.
• Overall control of the system hardware and control panels, including procurement, tracking, setup, fabrication, staging, testing and shipment.
• Overseeing and participating in the development and review of Application Software Design Specifications for the application of control system technology to continuous and batch processes.
• Overseeing and participating in the development and review of Device Interface Design Specifications for the interfacing with third-party devices using serial and bus interfaces (e.g. Modbus, DH+, Foundation Fieldbus, AS-i, Profibus and DeviceNet).
• Overseeing and participating in the development and review of System Integration Design Specifications for the integrating with third-party equipment and MES, ERP, data collection/historian (e.g. OSI-PI) and report generation packages, using common protocols (e.g. OPC, SQL and ODBC) and custom programming (e.g. VB, C++ and XML).
• Leading/overseeing the implementation, and review of the implementation, of application software, device interface and system integration designs.
• Leading/overseeing the development, review and execution of Module, Integration and Customer Acceptance Tests protocols, which cover the testing of the application software, device interface and system integration implementation.
• Development and maintenance of department standards and tools for project execution, documentation and the application of control system technology.
• Site support activities, including functional solution development/specification, installation, commissioning and startup, system upgrades, and on-going process improvement consultation.
• Sales support activities, including reviewing proposed system architecture and BOM, defining the scope of engineering services, and preparing services and schedule estimates.

The successful candidate will possess the following:

• 8+ years Systems Engineering experience
• 4+ years technical leadership experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead large projects of highest complexity and broadest scope, within assigned technical scope, budget and schedule constraints.
• Good process knowledge and a thorough understanding of engineering documents, process control (to include PLC/DCS/SCADA/MES), data historians, networks, control systems and application engineering.
• Good device interface and systems integration skills.
• Ability to analyze customer needs, define and present solutions.
• Excellent communication skills and experience interfacing with customers.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical, Computer, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.

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