Lead Automation Engineer - Life Sciences

Location: NY / New England Region / North Carolina (3 Openings) Department: Operations Industry: Life Sciences / Automation About the Company 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 Role 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. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership 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 Project Ownership 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 Team Development Mentor and develop junior and mid‑level engineers Promote knowledge sharing and best practices Contribute to building a strong technical culture Requirements Core Experience 8+ years in process automation and controls engineering Strong background in Life Sciences Proven experience operating as a technical lead Platform Expertise Deep experience with Rockwell Automation stack: FactoryTalk (View, Batch, Historian) Experience with SCADA platforms (Ignition strongly preferred) Exposure to additional platforms (Siemens, DeltaV, etc.) is a plus Technical & Regulatory Knowledge 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 Client-Facing & Commercial Capability (Non-Negotiable) Proven experience working directly with clients Comfortable with: Presentations Managing expectations Navigating challenging conversations Ability to contribute to sales efforts and project acquisition Work Model 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) Benefits Package 401(k) with immediate vesting Medical, dental, and vision coverage Generous PTO and paid holidays Ongoing training and professional development #J-18808-Ljbffr Xperior Global