Automation Engineer

Job Title: Automation Engineer

Location: Muskegon, MI

Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Employment Type: 12 Months Contract

Industry: Pharmaceutical / Biotechnology / Life Sciences

Job Summary

UPT Inc. is seeking a hands-on Automation Engineer to support the buildout, commissioning, and startup of a new manufacturing facility in Muskegon, MI. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in automation programming, controls development, and system integration, along with the ability to support Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) and Computer System Validation (CSV) activities. The candidate will be responsible for developing, troubleshooting, and testing PLC and HMI programs, integrating automation systems, and collaborating with equipment vendors and cross-functional engineering teams to ensure systems perform as intended. Experience with Siemens, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, PLCs, SCADA, and DCS platforms is highly desirable. Competency in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), PAS-X, PI System, and Oracle is also required to support the facility's integrated manufacturing operations. Candidates must have experience in a regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences manufacturing environment, a solid understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and the ability to work fully onsite throughout equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, and facility startup.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC and HMI applications for manufacturing automation systems.
• Support automation system design, integration, installation, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Work with Siemens and Rockwell/Allen-Bradley control platforms, as well as SCADA and DCS systems.
• Support the integration and operation of MES, LIMS, PAS-X, PI System, and Oracle applications within the manufacturing environment.
• Execute functional testing and support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
• Support Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) activities for manufacturing equipment and automation systems.
• Develop, review, and execute qualification protocols and Computer System Validation (CSV) documentation and testing.
• Maintain requirements traceability, test documentation, and automation lifecycle records in accordance with GMP requirements.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve automation system deficiencies, integration issues, and control system failures.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors, process engineers, validation teams, quality teams, IT, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ensure automation systems meet functional requirements, operational expectations, and applicable regulatory and quality standards.
• Provide hands-on onsite support during equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, and facility startup.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in automation engineering, controls development, PLC programming, and system integration.
• Hands-on experience developing and troubleshooting PLC and HMI programs.
• Experience working with industrial automation platforms such as Siemens or Rockwell/Allen-Bradley.
• Experience with SCADA, DCS, or related industrial control systems.
• Competency in MES, LIMS, PAS-X, PI System, and Oracle in a manufacturing or regulated operational environment.
• Experience supporting commissioning, functional testing, equipment startup, and automation system integration.
• Knowledge of CQV and CSV processes, including qualification protocols, validation testing, and requirements traceability.
• Understanding of GMP requirements and automation documentation practices in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences manufacturing.
• Experience supporting FAT/SAT activities and resolving system deficiencies.
• Ability to work fully onsite in Muskegon, MI, throughout the project duration.

Benefits

UPT Inc. offers competitive compensation and the opportunity to work on challenging projects with leading organizations in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences industries. Our team is committed to supporting professional growth and connecting qualified professionals with opportunities aligned with their skills and career goals.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UPT Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.