Automation Engineer

We are seeking an Automation Engineer for a direct hire opportunity in Manati, PR, supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing, utilities, computerized systems, and capital project environments. This role is ideal for an experienced automation and computerized systems professional who enjoys serving as a technical subject matter expert across PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES, DCS/BAS, FactoryTalk, validation, and compliance initiatives.

The Automation Engineer will play a key role in system lifecycle management, commissioning, qualification, troubleshooting, integration, change control, and continuous improvement. This position offers the opportunity to work in a highly regulated manufacturing environment with strong cross-functional collaboration among Engineering, Manufacturing, IT, and Quality teams. Candidates can expect a professional environment focused on technical excellence, compliance, teamwork, operational reliability, and ongoing improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead automation and computerized system projects supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, utilities, and capital projects.
- Configure, troubleshoot, commission, qualify, and validate PLC, HMI, SCADA, DCS/BAS, MES, and FactoryTalk systems.
- Manage and support change controls, CAPAs, investigations, system lifecycle activities, and compliance documentation.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including FRS, design specifications, SOPs, validation deliverables, and system records.
- Support Data Integrity, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, cGMP, and OT Cybersecurity initiatives across automation and computerized systems.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, IT, and Quality stakeholders to improve system performance, reliability, and compliance.

Compensation and Benefits:

- Direct hire opportunity.
- Compensation range: $50 to $55 per hour.
- Location: Manati, PR.

Qualifications: 

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 4 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
- Minimum 4 years of experience in process automation.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in Computer System Validation, CSV.
- Strong knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 11, cGMP requirements, Change Control, Data Integrity, and computerized system lifecycle management.
- Hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation, PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA systems, FactoryTalk Suite, and MES platforms.
- Technical experience with industrial networking, Microsoft SQL, data historians such as OSI PI or FactoryTalk Historian, and OT Cybersecurity.
- Strong documentation, troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a regulated manufacturing environment with a strong focus on quality, compliance, and operational reliability.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

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We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.