Senior Automation Engineer (Warehouse & AMR)

Job Description

Senior Automation Engineer (Warehouse & AMR) | Wilson, North Carolina

Project: Major pharmaceutical manufacturing investment project involving automated warehousing, material handling and AMR integration

Duration: Inital 12month contract scope w/ extensions

Working Arrangement: Primarily on-site, particularly during integration, commissioning and startup.

Summary:

Blackfield Associates are seeking an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to support the delivery of a hyper-scale pharmacetucial investment project in Wilson, North Carolina.

The successful candidate will lead the integration and delivery of automated warehouse and material transport systems, combining AS/RS, WMS/WCS platforms, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and manufacturing equipment.

Working alongside Manufacturing, Warehouse Operations, IT/OT, Quality and external suppliers, you will take technical ownership of system interfaces and controls, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient material movement within a cGMP manufacturing environment.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in delivering a complex automation project from design through commissioning and operational handover.

Key Responsibilities:

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• Develop automation requirements, functional specifications, controls architecture and system interface specifications.
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• Lead integration across WMS, WCS, AS/RS, AMR fleet management and manufacturing systems, including SAP EWM and MES.
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• Develop and troubleshoot PLC/HMI applications, equipment interfaces, handshakes, permissives and interlocks.
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• Integrate conveyors, transfer stations, pallet washers, automatic doors and material airlocks.
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• Configure and optimise AMR fleet operations, including mission priorities, traffic management, docking and charging strategies.
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• Develop recovery strategies for communication failures, equipment faults, failed transfers and safety stops.
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• Lead FAT, SAT, integrated commissioning and startup activities.
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• Support qualification and computer system validation (CSV), ensuring traceable requirements and documented test evidence.
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• Validate throughput, fleet capacity and critical material delivery requirements alongside simulation and operations teams.
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• Collaborate with IT/OT and safety teams on network connectivity, cybersecurity and safe operating practices.
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• Coordinate suppliers, resolve integration challenges and maintain technical documentation.
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• Provide post-startup support, root cause analysis and continuous system improvement.
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Required Technical Expertise:

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• Industrial automation, PLC/HMI development and controls engineering.
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• Automated material handling systems, including AS/RS and conveyors.
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• AMR/AGV integration and fleet management systems.
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• WMS/WCS platforms and manufacturing system integration.
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• Industrial communication protocols, including APIs, OPC UA and Industrial Ethernet.
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• PLC-controlled equipment integration, electrical drawings and interlocks.
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• FAT, SAT, commissioning, troubleshooting and system handover.
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• Functional specifications, test protocols and system validation.
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Candidate Profile:

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• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Controls, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering or a related discipline.
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• Minimum five years' industrial automation or controls engineering.
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• Proven experience integrating automated warehouse or material handling systems, including AMR/AGV and PLC-controlled equipment.
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• Hands-on PLC/HMI development and troubleshooting experience.
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• Experience integrating multiple automation platforms, software systems and equipment suppliers.
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• Knowledge of industrial communications, commissioning and startup.
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• Experience with FAT, SAT, validation and controlled documentation.
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• Strong technical coordination and stakeholder management skills.
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Desirable Experience:

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• Pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing, including cGMP, CQV and CSV.
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• SAP EWM, MES, WMS/WCS and automated warehouse integration.
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• Siemens or Rockwell PLCs, SCADA, SQL or scripting.
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• AMR fleet deployment, traffic management and simulation.
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• Cleanroom material transfers, cold-chain requirements and IT/OT cybersecurity.
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