Automation Project Manager

Job Description: Alarm Rationalization & Configuration Technical Lead

Client: Confidential Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Client

Location: Onsite Lebanon, IN

Contract Duration: Approximately 16.5 Months (August 2026 through December 2027)

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Alarm Rationalization & Configuration Technical Lead to support implementation of a site-wide Alarm Management Program within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

This role will serve as the subject matter expert for alarm rationalization, alarm configuration, alarm notification systems, historian integration, testing, and operational readiness activities. The selected candidate will work closely with automation, operations, quality, engineering, validation, and safety teams to ensure alarm systems are configured and validated in accordance with approved alarm management standards.

Key Responsibilities

Alarm Rationalization Leadership

• Lead and facilitate alarm rationalization workshops with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Guide alarm classification, prioritization, and alarm response strategy discussions.
• Develop and maintain alarm rationalization documentation and decision records.
• Ensure alarm configurations align with approved stakeholder decisions.

Alarm Configuration

• Support and provide guidance on alarm configuration within process control systems.
• Coordinate implementation of:
• Alarm priorities
• Alarm limits
• Alarm delays
• Alarm conditions
• Alarm shelving and suppression methods
• Alarm help and operator guidance
• Support HMI alarm displays, alarm summary screens, and operator interfaces.

Alarm Notification & Escalation

• Support deployment and testing of alarm notification systems.
• Configure and validate notification routing, schedules, escalation paths, and response workflows.
• Execute end-to-end testing of alarm notification processes.

Historian & Reporting Integration

• Support alarm reporting and monitoring solutions utilizing historian platforms.
• Assist in creation of alarm dashboards, KPI reporting structures, and alarm analytics tools.
• Analyze standing alarms, nuisance alarms, and flood events to support continuous improvement.

Validation & Go-Live Readiness

• Support development and execution of alarm testing protocols.
• Participate in critical alarm testing, integration testing, and validation support activities.
• Assist with operational readiness planning, SOP development, training, and go-live support.

Required Qualifications

Expertise

• Extensive experience performing alarm rationalization and alarm configuration activities within process manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of ISA-18.2 and IEC 62682 alarm management standards.
• Experience implementing alarm lifecycle programs in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience supporting automated manufacturing systems.

Skillset

• Alarm Rationalization Facilitation
• Alarm Configuration and Testing
• Process Control System Support
• Validation and Commissioning Support
• Alarm Notification Systems
• Historian Integration and Reporting
• Technical Documentation
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Training and Operational Readiness

Technical Qualifications

• Hands-on experience configuring alarms in:
• DeltaV
• Rockwell Automation Platforms
• Experience with:
• PI Historian
• PI AF
• PI Vision
• WIN911
• Strong understanding of:
• Alarm philosophy implementation
• Alarm prioritization methodology
• Alarm limits and delays
• Alarm shelving and suppression
• Alarm KPIs and performance metrics
• Alarm notification workflows

Capability Requirements

• Ability to facilitate highly technical cross-functional workshops.
• Ability to translate alarm rationalization decisions into executable configurations.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and technical leadership skills.
• Experience working within GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, operations, validation, quality, and safety organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences manufacturing experience.
• Greenfield facility startup experience.
• Commissioning, qualification, and validation experience.
• Experience developing:
• SOPs
• Training materials
• Operational handoff documentation
• Continuous improvement programs
• Familiarity with Power BI and Smartsheet for reporting and project tracking.

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