Automation Engineer

Welcome to Your Next Career Chapter At Afton Scientific, every role contributes to advancing the quality and reliability of sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Our team is driven by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

We support employees at every stage of their career by fostering an environment where development, learning, and meaningful impact are possible.

We invite you to explore opportunities to join our organization and contribute to our mission.

We are currently seeking an Automation Engineer to support our growing biopharmaceutical operations at our on-site facility in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Overview of this Position: The Automation Engineer will support our GMP-regulated biotech manufacturing operations.

This role will focus on designing, implementing, and maintaining automation systems for sterile fill-finish processes, ensuring compliance with FDA, EMA, and ICH guidelines.

Expertise in Siemens automation platforms is required.

Non-Negotiable Requirements: • At least five (5) years of experience as an Automation Engineer at a GMP facility •At least three (3) years of hands-on experience in Siemens automation systems (PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA integration). • Minimum of three (3) years of experience leading teams, including mentoring and training employees, and partnering with Human Resources on performance management activities such as improvement plans, review processes, and retention strategies.

Preferred Requirements: • Bachelor's degree in engineering or similar • Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt or higher •Ability to train junior teammates on manufacturing processes, workflows, production equipment, and industrial techniques.

• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills; including the ability to explain highly technical information to a non-technical audience Responsibilities Include: • Design, configure, and maintain automation systems (PLC, SCADA, HMI) for GMP manufacturing environments • Support equipment qualification and validation activities (URS, DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ) in compliance with FDA and EU Annex 1 requirements • Troubleshoot and resolve automation issues to minimize downtime and ensure product quality • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering) to optimize processes and maintain audit readiness • Develop and maintain automation documentation, including SOPs, change controls, and system lifecycle records • Implement data integrity and cybersecurity measures for automation systems • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.

The duties listed above are intended to describe the essential functions of this position.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

This role may require sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods; using a computer; and working in a standard office environment.

Specific physical or environmental requirements will be addressed through the reasonable accommodation process.

We do not discriminate based on disability and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.