Manufacturing Automation Project Lead

Job Description

Title: Manufacturing Automation Project Lead

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Duration: 12 Months

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Location/Site: North Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

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Client: Pharma

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Summary:

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This contract role supports the execution of manufacturing automation and robotics initiatives across multiple US sites, including Puerto Rico. Working within the direction and priorities established by the Robotics Director and global robotics team, the contractor will partner with site stakeholders to identify and assess opportunities, translate operational needs into clear requirements and business cases, and lead selected projects from definition through implementation and startup.

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The role is best suited for an experienced automation and robotics deployment leader who can operate independently, build trust with manufacturing teams, and manage external delivery partners. Deep hands-on robot programming is not required; however, practical experience evaluating or deploying robotics in operating brownfield manufacturing environments is essential. The contractor must understand why technically feasible concepts may not be operationally deployable and must be able to assess integration constraints, process variability, space and material flow, safety, controls, maintainability, exception handling, operator interaction, and implementation risk. System integrators will perform detailed design, programming, and equipment build, while this role provides informed technical and project leadership and challenges vendor recommendations when needed.

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Primary Responsibilities

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• Lead the day-to-day execution of assigned automation and robotics projects, coordinating scope, schedule, budget, risks, decisions, stakeholders, and external system integrators from definition through implementation.

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• Engage manufacturing, engineering, operations, digital, quality, safety, and other site functions to understand workflows, pain points, constraints, and desired outcomes.

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• Conduct on-site assessments of existing processes and infrastructure to surface brownfield constraints early and prevent solutions that work in concept but fail during integration, startup, or sustained operation.

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• Translate operational needs into project scope, user requirements, success criteria, business value, and clear deliverables aligned with technical, safety, compliance, and site expectations.

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• Assess automation and robotics opportunities in existing brownfield environments, distinguishing between what is technically possible and what can be reliably operated, maintained, supported, and scaled. Evaluate application fit, process variability, cycle time, space, material flow, utilities, legacy equipment and controls, safety, end-of-arm tooling, sensing and vision, exception handling, human interaction, and implementation risk.

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• Build alignment and ownership with site stakeholders, clarify roles and decisions, resolve roadblocks, and maintain momentum across diverse operating environments.

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• Lead or support the selection and management of system integrators, equipment suppliers, and technology partners; review proposals, concepts, schedules, risk assessments, and implementation plans, and hold partners accountable for delivery.

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• Provide practical technical oversight grounded in prior robotics deployment experience. Compare solution alternatives, identify hidden brownfield constraints, test vendor assumptions, and challenge recommendations without serving as the detailed designer or programmer.

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• Support the development of the future automation pipeline by documenting repeatable needs, assessing additional opportunities, and sharing site insights with the global robotics team.

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• Plan and oversee focused proof-of-concept activities by defining objectives and evaluation criteria, coordinating partners, assessing results, and recommending whether to advance, modify, or stop the work.

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• Produce clear project documentation, decision records, status updates, risk tracking, and handoffs appropriate to the project and operating environment.

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• Travel within the US and Puerto Rico as needed to support site engagement, project definition, vendor activities, implementation, and startup.

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Required Experience and Skills

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• Demonstrated experience evaluating, implementing, or supporting industrial robotics and automation deployments in operating brownfield manufacturing, logistics, laboratory, or similar environments. Experience limited to greenfield design, demonstrations, research, or simulation is not sufficient on its own.

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• Ability to independently structure and drive work across multiple stakeholders, manage ambiguity, surface decisions, and move projects toward measurable outcomes.

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• Experience translating workflows and operational needs into requirements, scopes of work, vendor deliverables, and implementation plans.

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• Experience managing system integrators, equipment suppliers, engineering firms, or other external technical delivery partners.

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• Strong working knowledge of industrial robotics and automation technologies, including their capabilities, limitations, and common failure modes in existing facilities. Must be able to assess application fit and deployment risk across industrial and collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, machine vision, material handling, end-of-arm tooling, safety systems, controls, and interfaces with legacy equipment.

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• Strong communication and stakeholder leadership skills, with the ability to work credibly across technical and non-technical functions and with both site and global teams.

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• Comfort working in a contract role that requires hands-on ownership of defined deliverables, rapid integration into an existing team, and independent execution within the established strategic direction.

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Preferred Experience

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• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, food, chemical, or another regulated manufacturing environment.

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• Familiarity with GMP, validation, quality systems, or regulated project documentation, including IQ/OQ/PQ where applicable.

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• Prior experience as an end user, system integrator, automation supplier, applications engineer, technical program manager, or automation consultant.

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• Experience supporting opportunity assessments or early project definition in addition to project execution.

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• Exposure to deployments across multiple sites or business units and to solutions intended for reuse or scale.

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What This Role Is Not

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• It is not a hands-on robot programming or detailed machine design position, but it does require firsthand understanding of the realities and limitations of deploying robotics in existing brownfield operations.

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• It is not an open-ended strategy consulting role; overall strategy and priorities are established by the Robotics Director and global robotics team.

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• It is not limited to a single robot brand or technology. The focus is selecting and delivering the right automation solution for the operational need.

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EEO:

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“Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans. ”