Automation Engineer
Penn Life Sciences is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to join our Facilities & Engineering team in Langhorne, PA.
The Automation Engineer will design, implement, and support automation and control solutions for GMP manufacturing equipment, facility systems, and critical utilities. This role will provide advanced troubleshooting and lifecycle support for PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, and computerized control systems to improve equipment reliability, operational performance, and manufacturing uptime.
The ideal candidate will possess strong hands-on controls engineering experience, a working knowledge of automation compliance within regulated environments, and the ability to lead automation projects from initial design and vendor coordination through commissioning, validation, and sustained operational support.
This position’s responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:
- Engineer, implement, modify, and support automation and control solutions for manufacturing equipment, facility systems, critical utilities, instrumentation interfaces, and control panels.
- Program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems using approved engineering, cybersecurity, and change-control practices.
- Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for complex automation and control-system issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence.
- Support the full lifecycle of automation projects, including user requirements, functional specifications, vendor coordination, design reviews, FAT, SAT, commissioning, startup, and turnover to operations.
- Develop and maintain automation documentation, including network architecture diagrams, I/O lists, control narratives, alarm configurations, backup procedures, user-access models, and configuration baselines.
- Support automation-related infrastructure, including industrial computers, servers, virtualized environments, system backups, patch coordination, time synchronization, and approved remote-access solutions.
- Review vendor automation specifications, control-system designs, electrical drawings, software configurations, and technical submittals for compliance with project and site requirements.
We are looking for applicants with:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline required.
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on automation or controls engineering experience within a regulated manufacturing environment, such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, chemical, or another similarly regulated industry.
- Demonstrated experience supporting automation projects through design, implementation, FAT/SAT, commissioning, startup, qualification, and sustained operational support.
- Strong proficiency in PLC programming and troubleshooting using ladder logic and/or structured text, including online diagnostics and controlled system modifications.
- Experience configuring and supporting HMI and SCADA platforms, including visualization, alarms, trends, user access, system security, and audit-relevant functionality.
- Knowledge of industrial communication networks and protocols, including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/Serial, managed switches, VLAN concepts, and control-system connectivity.
- Experience with machine vision systems, such as Cognex, Keyence, or automated inspection-camera platforms, is helpful but not required.
What we offer:
- 401(k) with company match
- Health, vision, and dental Insurance
- Childcare expense reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
- Annual bonus eligibility
- Annual merit increases
- Paid Time Off and Flexible Holidays
Penn Life Sciences is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
We encourage you to apply if you feel that you are a match! We look forward to hearing from you.
