Automation Engineer

Job Description

For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science.  Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology.  Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.

Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence.  Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.

This Automation Engineer role in Millsboro, Delaware is responsible for the installation, repair, maintain, upgrade and support engineering projects with PLC control systems, HMIs, data acquisition systems (SCADA), production data servers and other various electro / mechanical equipment used for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This person must be capable of performing electro / mechanical installations, electrical troubleshooting and PLC / HMI programming functions. This individual will interface and work with Corporate IT for support of common site communications infrastructure such as the fiber optic network and external internet access from the shop floor network systems. Day to day support of maintenance activities will be provided on an as needed basis. Daily Tier meetings each morning to discuss updates of current issues.

This role’s primary responsibility will be to support any upset in production, however, during the times that production is running smoothly, the Engineer will have projects and tasks on hand to manage and complete. The typical activities of this position will include:

• Provide instrumentation, hardware, HMI (Human Machine Interface), PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technical expertise and troubleshooting in support of daily ongoing biological manufacturing operations.

• Log all PLC, HMI and SCADA related incidents and perform necessary troubleshooting steps to resolve incidents in a timely fashion.

• Develop, test and implement changes to automation controls, supported by approved change requests, to facilitate corrective actions and process improvements.

• Identify potential automation issues and report to the appropriate manager(s).

• Coordinate implementation and testing with appropriate area manager(s).

• Provide control engineering support on all commissioning and validation initiatives.

• Participate on Factory Acceptance Tests of equipment and skids.

• Participate in project teams related to the addition of new production equipment and/or changes to existing automation functionality.

• Define instrument and controls requirements and establish control system design criteria based on engineering analysis and evaluation.

• Analyze user requirements and functional specifications to develop detailed hardware and software design specifications for the development and implementation of process control automation.

• Perform troubleshooting on electrical systems up to 480 v.

• Routine diagnostic checks on automated systems, monitoring automated systems, troubleshooting computer controlled systems and performing repairs to maintain critical plant equipment.

• Maintain critical automation documentation including hardware and software design specs, change control documentation, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), process flow diagrams, equipment specifications, work instructions and standard operating procedures.

• Assist the Site IT Coordinator with various IT infrastructure support activities as assigned.

Education:

• HS Diploma or equivalent and 5+ years of relevant work experience with industrial electrical or mechanical systems OR
• Associate’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience, OR 
• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, industrial, electrical, mechanical or other accredited engineering degree or computer science

Required Experience:

• Must be experienced in designing and interpreting control schematics including piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), control panel schematics, and pneumatic and electrical interconnect diagrams.

• Must have SCADA programming experience developing applications using Wonderware, Rockwell, iFix and Siemens software.

• Knowledge of batch and filling machinery, operations, and repair.

• Ability to work in a compliant environment.

• Must be able to climb ladders/stairs, work in small/confined spaces – You will work around qualified equipment, in server rooms, etc. History of working in these environments is a plus.

• Ability to manage and address critical Sh