Automation Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

About Company:

JC Automation Corp. (JCA) was founded in 1997 with the mission of filling a gap between technology and regulatory requirements in the life science manufacturing industry. The company offers highly capable resources at an affordable cost to build solutions and execute projects in: Automation, Control Systems Integration, Information Technology, System Integration and Regulatory Compliance.

JCA is a HUBZone Certified Small Business Firm, NMSDC Certified Minority Business Enterprise, and Certified Critical Industry Supplier. It’s mission is to add value by delivering quality services & solutions on time all the time by transforming processes & technology into business advantages.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a technically skilled Automation Support Specialist to provide daily operational and troubleshooting support for automation systems within a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. This role is critical to ensuring reliable system performance, production continuity, and compliance with GMP and site procedures.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience with PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems in a manufacturing setting, strong troubleshooting capabilities, and the ability to work effectively across operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams in a fast-paced production environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Daily Automation Floor Support: Provide daily on-floor support for PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems during manufacturing operations. Ensure automation systems perform reliably and respond promptly to operational needs and system events.
• Troubleshooting & Issue Resolution: Troubleshoot automation and controls issues during manufacturing operations, applying structured diagnostic approaches to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions with minimal production impact.
• Alarm Management & Deviation Support: Support alarm management activities, system investigations, and operational deviations related to automation systems. Document findings and actions in compliance with GMP and site standards.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to support manufacturing operations, communicate system status, and ensure timely resolution of automation-related issues.
• Programming, Backups & Documentation: Support minor programming changes, execute system backups, and maintain up-to-date automation documentation in accordance with change control and data integrity requirements.
• Startup, Shutdown & Equipment Recovery: Assist with equipment startup, shutdown, and recovery activities following planned or unplanned interruptions, ensuring systems return to validated operating states.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Electronics, Automation, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience supporting automation systems in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Hands-on experience with PLC, HMI, or SCADA systems in a production support capacity.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in automation and controls systems.
• Ability to support fast-paced manufacturing operations across any shift as required.
• Knowledge of GMP regulations and manufacturing operations in regulated environments.

Preferred

• Experience with Allen-Bradley (Rockwell), Siemens, DeltaV, or similar automation platforms.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with alarm management, deviation handling, and change control processes.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (oral and written).

SKILLS

Technical Skills

• PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems — daily support, troubleshooting, and minor programming
• Allen-Bradley (Rockwell), Siemens, DeltaV, or equivalent automation platforms
• Alarm management and operational deviation support
• System backups and automation documentation management
• Equipment startup, shutdown, and recovery procedures
• GMP compliance and manufacturing operations in regulated environments
• Microsoft Office 365

Soft Skills

• Service-oriented mindset with a proactive approach to issue resolution
• Strong cross-functional communication with operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable and accountable — able to support any shift as production demands require
• Structured troubleshooting approach with attention to detail
• Team player with a continuous improvement mindset