Senior Lead Automation Engineer

This position plays a key role in leading automation system design, serving as a technical authority, and supporting the successful delivery of GMP-compliant Pharmaceutical, Biologics, and Cell & Gene Therapy facilities—from feasibility through qualification. The Senior Lead Automation Engineer (Connected Automation) is a senior-level technical role providing automation design leadership on complex, regulated Life Sciences projects across the PM Group US region.

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The Senior Lead Automation Engineer (Connected Automation) position is an exciting opportunity to join PM Group’s quickly growing USA regional team. Together we are sharing knowledge, learning, growing, and continuing to be an integral part of supporting PM Group’s ongoing expansion in the US. This individual will be located out of our Philadelphia area office in Conshohocken, PA (consideration will be given to candidates out of the Burlington, MA and Apex, NC areas). We are executing cutting-edge projects for the Pharmaceutical, Biologics and Cell & Gene Therapy (life sciences) industry – from feasibility through to qualification – for both local and international clients. Together with our clients and partners, we deliver projects that improve the everyday lives of people across the globe.

The Senior Lead Automation Engineer (Connected Automation) is a senior-level technical role providing automation design leadership on complex, regulated Life Sciences projects across the PM Group US region. This position plays a key role in leading automation system design, serving as a technical authority, and supporting the successful delivery of GMP-compliant Pharmaceutical, Biologics, and Cell & Gene Therapy facilities—from feasibility through qualification.

This role suits an experienced automation professional who enjoys hands-on technical work, client engagement, and mentoring junior engineers, while also contributing to the growth and capability of PM Group’s Connected Automation offering in the US.

 

PM Group is an employee owned, international project delivery firm with a team of 4,000+ people.  We are world leaders in the pharma, food, biotech, medical technology and mission critical sectors. From our network of offices in Europe, Asia and the US, we work with the world's leading organizations. We are focused on growing a sustainable business centered on our people, our clients and trade partners.

 

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• Technical Leadership & Project Delivery
  • Lead the end-to-end automation design on Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical projects as part of a multidisciplinary project team
  • Act as a technical authority for automation system architecture, standards, and best practices
  • Develop, review, and approve key automation deliverables, including:
    • Process Descriptions
    • Functional Descriptions / Functional Design Specifications (FDS)
    • Control Narratives
    • Automation system architectures and design documentation
  • Support projects through design reviews, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and site execution activities
  • Ensure all automation solutions comply with GMP, GAMP 5, 21 CFR Part 11, and client quality standards
• System Design & Vendor Oversight
  • Perform control system design for PLC, SCADA, and DCS-based systems across all project phases
  • Review and comment on system integrator and vendor design documentation
  • Select, coordinate, and manage automation contractors and system integrators throughout the project lifecycle
  • Maintain strong working relationships with automation vendors and stay current with emerging automation technologies and industry trends
• Client Engagement & Communication
  • Serve as a key point of contact for automation with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders
  • Lead and participate in technical discussions, client meetings, and design reviews
  • Participate in project site visits to monitor, review, and sign off on automation and process control installations
• Mentorship & Team Development
  • Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and intermediate Automation Engineers
  • Perform peer reviews to ensure technical quality, consistency, and adherence to PM Group standards
  • Support the development and strengthening of PM Group’s Connected Automation capability in the US
• Commercial & Business Support
  • Support automation scope development and proposal generation, including fee and capital budget inputs
  • Apply commercial awareness to project execution, including value engineering, resourcing, and change control
  • Collaborate across multiple PM Group offices to deliver projects efficiently and consistently
• Industry Engagement
  • Support and promote PM Group’s Connected Automation services at client meetings and industry events, as appropriate

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• Bachelor’s Degree in Automation, Electrical, Electronics Engineering, or similar discipline
• 10+ years of experience delivering industrial automation projects, preferably within Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical, or Cell & Gene Therapy environments
• Strong hands-on experience with:
  • PLC / DCS-based control systems design
  • Industrial automation architectures and software design (including S88)
  • Regulated GMP project delivery
• Solid knowledge of industrial communications and networks (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Profibus, ControlNet)
• Proven ability to lead technical workstreams and interface effectively with clients and multidisciplinary teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical specifications and design documentation
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred (CA, PA, or MA strongly preferred)
• Ability to work across multiple offices and client sites as project needs require

All of your information is confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Why PM Group?

As an employee-owned company, we are inclusive, committed and driven. Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability are the heart of our new 2026 business strategy. Click here to read more in our 2025 Environmental, Social and Governance Report.

 

Inclusion and Diversity are core to our culture and values. Wherever we work, we commit to a culture of mutual respect and belonging by building a truly inclusive workplace rich in diverse people, talents and ideas. Valuing the contributions of all our people and respecting individual differences will sustain our growth into the future.

 

PM Group is committed to ensuring our hiring process is fair and accessible to all and will provide candidates with disabilities with reasonable accommodations required to participate in the recruitment process. If you require any assistance in this regard, please let us know.

 

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