Sr. Process Control Automation Engineer

at  Thermo Fisher Scientific

JOB DESCRIPTION

The ThermoFisher Scientific St. Louis site is a multi-product and multi-client biopharmaceutical site with manufacturing facilities for pharmaceutical products for both (pre)clinical trials and commercial applications. We are a hardworking and passionate team making products that improve people’s lives.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Sr. Automation Engineer role is a member of the site Engineering staff. This role uses engineering principles and process knowledge to fulfill two critical roles. Responsible for support of projects associated with new process installations, including but not limited to automation design/strategy, start-up, commissioning, mechanical/electrical installation, and validation support. Provide 24/7 support to the Manufacturing Support Engineering team on manufacturing process equipment operation and maintenance as well as provides technical leadership to improve and enhance process automation functions. Each project is unique and collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving is required for success.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or technical degree in engineering, instrumentation, process automation or related experience.
• 5+ years demonstrated ability supporting and resolving complex processes, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Experience in computer control automation system start-ups, loop tuning, fixing, and control system modifications.
• Knowledge around control system programming lanquages, IO networks, control computers and associated control components.
• Experience with control platforms like; Rockwell Factory Talk, AB PLCs, WonderWare, iFix, DeltaV, associated IO and communication protocols.
• Knowledge of engineering principals and skills including Microsoft office tools (i.e. excel, word, visio) required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Development of distributed control and supervisory systems, SCADA, Historians and SQL type program development.
• Experience with Pi Historians, relational Data Bases, and visualization software.
• Experience within the Biotech industry, understanding of the cGMPs and the regulatory requirements is desired.
• Experience with AutoCad, MS project tools a plus.

• SME for site automation and control systems. This includes design, maintenance and monitoring of manufacturing control components and infrastructure to meet site manufacturing objectives.
• Actively participate in automation/controls project planning, execution, and startup.
• Understands process equipment control systems, programming and how to implement control systems in a GMP environment.
• Design and implement solutions to improve manufacturing operation, such as system monitoring tools for proactive monitoring and alerting of core responsibilities.
• Identify, isolate and correct manufacturing equipment problems.
• Identify and integrate data sources to improve manufacturing visibility.
• Maintain compliance for software and hardware licensing per corporate and site policies.
• Solve process equipment by diagnosing and resolving difficult hardware, software, instrument, and process problems to maintain system readiness.
• Provide technical leadership to improve and enhance process equipment and supports process investigations.
• Supports the implementation of new process equipment, including commissioning test protocols, punch-list execution, administrative documentation and training.
• Provide leadership during factory acceptance protocols (FATs) and site acceptance protocols (SATs) for new equipment – some travel required.
• Supports the Tech Transfer, Project Engineering, Manufacturing and Process Development groups in the design, documentation (URS, Process Descriptions, and Equipment Specs) and purchase equipment.
• Uses process / system knowledge to help lead technical decisions associated with automation, mechanical and electrical fixes throughout GMP/PD processes.
• Supports the validation of equipment, SOP generation, general process layout and flow.
• Works closely with site project engineers to ensure that critical utility systems are appropriately designed for new process implementation.
• Provide technical leadership and support for control systems including; network hardware design, Firewalls, Domains & Trusts, Virtualization, Windows Server, storage, security and Backup solutions for manufacturing systems.
• Lead Active Directory and related network systems.
• Maintain network, switches, servers and server backup/restore processes.
• Respond to emergency situations in manufacturing and laboratory settings.
• Supports major capital project review.
• Work closely with corporate IT to install and support LAN/WAN, routers, switches, for remote data traffic and access.
• Works in a safe and responsible manner and obey all safety policies and procedures.
• Follows all job-related safety and other training requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.