Automation Engineer

Job Title: Automation Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Sr. Automation Engineer to lead and support site automation initiatives, capital projects, and automation system integration activities in a highly regulated GMP manufacturing environment. You will serve as a key technical resource within the Automation group, driving the design, implementation, integration, qualification, and maintenance of automation systems that support manufacturing, packaging, and production operations. In this role, you will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, vendors, and system integrators to ensure robust, compliant automation solutions that meet business, regulatory, and operational needs while requiring minimal oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support automation projects from concept through design, implementation, testing, startup, and handoff to operations.
• Coordinate with equipment vendors, system integrators, engineering teams, and site stakeholders to define, track, and deliver automation project milestones.
• Review, develop, and maintain automation documentation, including User Requirements Specifications (URS), Functional Specifications (FS), Configuration Specifications, and related project records.
• Support integration efforts between manufacturing equipment, process control systems, business systems, and site automation infrastructure to ensure seamless data and control flows.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and qualification activities for new and modified automation systems.
• Provide hands-on support for Allen-Bradley PLC-based automation systems, SCADA applications, control networks, and manufacturing infrastructure.
• Assist in troubleshooting complex automation, industrial networking, and system integration issues to minimize downtime and maintain system reliability.
• Collaborate with Quality, Validation, Engineering, Manufacturing, and IT teams to support audit readiness, regulatory inspections, and ongoing compliance initiatives.
• Ensure all automation systems comply with GMP, FDA regulations, Computer System Validation (CSV) principles, data integrity requirements, and Good Automation Manufacturing Practices.
• Support startup and operational readiness activities for packaging lines, manufacturing processes, and production systems in a new large-scale facility.
• Contribute to large-scale capital projects and system implementations by providing automation expertise, risk assessments, and technical guidance.
• Apply knowledge of ISA-88 and ISA-95 standards to the design and integration of batch and enterprise-level automation solutions.
• Support documentation in accordance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP), ensuring accurate, complete, and traceable records for automation systems.
• Engage with cross-functional teams to continuously improve automation strategies, standards, and procedures across the site.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience as an Automation Engineer or in controls/process automation within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience supporting Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLC systems, including programming, PLC architecture, troubleshooting, and project implementation.
• Proven experience in GMP-regulated operations such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, vaccine, food and beverage, or similar industries.
• Experience working in FDA-regulated, GMP, USDA-regulated, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated project lifecycle experience, supporting automation projects from design through implementation, testing, startup, and handoff.
• Experience with SCADA and/or Distributed Control Systems (DCS) for process monitoring and control.
• Integration experience connecting manufacturing equipment, process control systems, and business systems.
• Knowledge of automation infrastructure, industrial networking, and system integration concepts.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for automation, networking, and system integration issues.
• Familiarity with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), GDP (Good Documentation Practices), and Good Automation Manufacturing Practices.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale capital projects, system implementations, or complex automation integrations.
• Ignition, FactoryTalk, DeltaV, Siemens WinCC, or comparable SCADA/DCS platform experience.
• Experience with SAT, commissioning, qualification, and validation activities for automation systems.
• Computer System Validation (CSV) experience, including IQ, OQ, and PQ protocols.
• Knowledge and practical application of ISA-88 and ISA-95 standards.
• Experience with data integrity requirements and audit-ready automation documentation.
• Prior experience with packaging automation, manufacturing automation, or systems integration projects in a GMP environment.
• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, food and beverage, or medical device production is strongly preferred.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Quality, Validation, Engineering, Manufacturing, IT, and external partners.
• Ownership mindset and willingness to contribute to the startup and growth of a new large-scale manufacturing site.

Work Environment

This role is based in a brand-new, approximately 640,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Lithia Springs, GA, dedicated to monoclonal antibody and vaccine production for companion and farm animals. The plant has completed construction and the laboratories are operational, providing a modern, state-of-the-art environment with advanced automation, process control, and manufacturing technologies. You will work in a regulated GMP setting focused on animal health products, including an innovative monthly injectable monoclonal antibody treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, roughly 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with collaboration across engineering, quality, validation, manufacturing, IT, and external partners. The culture centers on advancing care for animals, supporting veterinarians and producers globally, and fostering an ownership mentality as the site ramps up operations. During the contract period, you will receive six paid holidays and 40 hours of paid time off, and you will contribute to building and sustaining a high-tech, compliant, and mission-driven manufacturing environment

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Marietta, GA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $75.00/hr.

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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Marietta,GA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 2026.

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.