Job Title: Automation EngineerJob DescriptionThe Automation Engineer provides first and second-level support for building automation systems (BMS), process control systems, utilities, and HVAC systems in a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. This role focuses on maintenance, troubleshooting, emergency response, and ensuring reliable operation of facility and utility infrastructure. The Automation Engineer also defines service, equipment, and maintenance specifications, including associated SAP procedures, and plays a key role in continuous improvement and compliance with cGMP requirements.
Responsibilities
- Carry out engineering activities on automation systems and lead internal projects related to investments, system updates, planned exceptions, and change controls for repairs or interventions.
- Connect to PLCs to perform programming analysis, diagnosis, and troubleshooting in support of reliable system operation.
- Manage the lifecycle, maintenance, and compliance requirements of complex control systems that support pharmaceutical production.
- Develop recommendations and technical solutions to eliminate system weak points and drive continuous improvement of automation and utility infrastructure.
- Ensure documentation is created and maintained in accordance with cGMP standards and regulatory expectations.
- Ensure the technical availability and reliability of all building automation systems and process control systems, including maintaining availability of critical replacement parts.
- Establish user requirement specifications for new equipment and define service and maintenance specifications, including all relevant SAP procedures.
- Provide technical supervision, coordination, and oversight of external contractors and service providers working on automation, utilities, and HVAC systems.
- Inspect equipment-related documentation, such as user requirement specifications and operating instructions, and revise standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality control (QC) forms as needed.
- Monitor the technical performance of existing systems, equipment, machines, devices, and utilities to identify issues and improvement opportunities.
- Organize and supervise equipment installation, startup, and approval/release activities to ensure systems are properly commissioned and ready for production use.
- Participate in a rotating on-call duty schedule to respond to critical system or equipment failures and provide timely technical support.
- Perform troubleshooting and weakness analysis, including incident management, root cause analysis, and system recovery activities.
- Present engineering documentation during inspections and audits and clearly explain system design, operation, and compliance measures.
- Support external and internal audits by providing facility tours, presenting documentation and trending data, and defending procedures and technical decisions.
- Coordinate and support qualification activities for equipment and systems when required, ensuring that validation and qualification standards are met.
Essential Skills
- Strong experience in building automation systems, process control systems, utilities, and HVAC infrastructure.
- Hands-on experience with Siemens PLCs, including troubleshooting and integration.
- Practical experience with Siemens PCS7, Siemens Desigo CC, and Siemens PX controllers.
- Proficiency in automation engineering tasks such as PLC troubleshooting, PLC integration, and facilities maintenance.
- Ability to connect to PLCs for programming analysis, diagnosis, and problem resolution.
- Experience working within regulated environments, ideally in the pharmaceutical or food industry.
- Knowledge of cGMP requirements and the ability to ensure documentation and systems comply with these standards.
- Strong incident management and root cause analysis skills for complex automation and utility systems.
- Ability to supervise and coordinate external contractors and service providers in technical projects.
- Competence in preparing, reviewing, and presenting engineering documentation for inspections and audits.
- Proficiency with MS Office for documentation, reporting, and analysis.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Engineering or a related technical field is preferred but not required.
- 37 years of work experience; experience in the pharmaceutical or food industry is preferred, though candidates from other industries are welcome.
- Experience defining user requirement specifications and service and maintenance specifications, including SAP-related procedures.
- Experience organizing and supervising equipment installation, startup, and release activities.
- Ability to participate in a rotating on-call schedule and respond effectively to critical system issues.
- Strong communication skills for interacting with auditors, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
- Detail-oriented approach to revising SOPs and QC forms and maintaining accurate technical documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to support qualification and validation activities for equipment and systems.
Work EnvironmentThis role is based in a large, modern pharmaceutical manufacturing facility located in Des Plaines. The environment centers on complex building automation, process control, utilities, and HVAC systems, with extensive use of Siemens technologies such as PCS7, Desigo CC, PX controllers, and Siemens PLCs. Work involves both office-based tasks, including documentation and analysis, and time spent in production and utility areas overseeing equipment, installations, and troubleshooting activities. The position includes participation in a rotating on-call duty schedule to support critical system and equipment failures. The facility is designed to support regulated manufacturing operations, with a strong emphasis on safety, compliance, and collaboration across engineering, operations, and quality teams. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Morton Grove, IL. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $125000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Benefits Overview HSA Health Plan: Premiums are 100% company paid. In addition, the company contributes $5,000 toward the deductible for family coverage or $2,500 toward the deductible for single coverage. 401(k) Plan: Company contribution of 5% of eligible compensation (not a matching contribution). Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability: 100% company paid. Paid Holidays: 11 company-observed holidays annually. Paid Time Off (PTO) New Hire to 3 Years of Service: 20 days per year (13.333 hours accrued per month) 3 to 9 Years of Service: 30 days per year (20.0 hours accrued per month) 10 to 14 Years of Service: 33 days per year (22.0 hours accrued per month) 15+ Years of Service: 35 days per year (23.333 hours accrued per month) Additional Benefits
Tuition Reimbursement (waiting list model):
o Bachelor's Degree: Up to $30,000 o Master's Degree: Up to $30,000 o Ph.D.: Up to $30,000 Childcare Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 annually. Dental Insurance: Employee-paid. Vision Insurance: Employee-paid. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Morton Grove, IL. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 27, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Morton Grove,IL.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
