Sr. Automation Project Manager - Facility Startup

Senior Automation Project Manager – Facility Startup

Overview: Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Automation Project Manager to lead automation project delivery for a new facility. This individual will take ownership of the automation workstream from code handover through first demo batch, ensuring all control systems are delivered on schedule, fully GMP-compliant, and ready to support a successful startup.

This is a high-visibility role ideal for an automation professional who has personally led automation activities for at least one new facility startup within pharma or another regulated industry. The environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and suited to someone who thrives in cross-functional project leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead automation project management for a new facility startup, including scope, schedule, and punch-list oversight for all control system deliverables
• Act as the primary liaison between process engineering, automation engineering, system integrators, construction teams, and Site Quality
• Coordinate FAT/SAT execution and support Computer System Validation (CSV) to ensure systems are ready for commissioning, qualification, and startup
• Identify, track, and mitigate risks related to automation scope, schedule, and quality
• Provide ongoing project status updates to site leadership and key stakeholders
• Support development of automation staffing plans, standards, and procedures for a new site organization
• Partner closely with Site Quality to integrate CSV, data integrity, and GMP compliance strategies into project execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Electrical, Controls Engineering, or related discipline
• 8+ years of automation engineering or automation project management experience
• Proven experience leading automation workstreams for at least one new or greenfield facility startup in a pharmaceutical or regulated manufacturing environment
• Strong background working with DCS/SCADA/MES vendors and system integrators
• Solid understanding of ISA-88 batch standards, GMP, CSV, and data integrity principles
• Demonstrated project management capability across scope, schedule, and budget
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Experience

• PMP or equivalent project management certification
• Hands-on experience with DeltaV Batch DCS or comparable platforms (Honeywell Experion, Rockwell PlantPAx, etc.)
• Experience leading C&Q activities for greenfield or major capital automation projects
• Background in building automation teams, standards, and procedures for new manufacturing sites
• Familiarity with electronic validation/test management systems (e.g., Kneat)

Base salary + additional hourly compensation based on billable hours performance. The salary range above assumes 1880 billable hours a year (5 weeks of vacation).