Automation Technical Lead in Carolina at JC Automation Corp
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Job Description
About Company:
JC Automation Corp. (JCA) was founded in 1997 with the mission of filling a gap between technology and regulatory requirements in the life science manufacturing industry. The company offers highly capable resources at an affordable cost to build solutions and execute projects in: Automation, Control Systems Integration, Information Technology, System Integration and Regulatory Compliance.
JCA is a HUBZone Certified Small Business Firm, NMSDC Certified Minority Business Enterprise, and Certified Critical Industry Supplier. It’s mission is to add value by delivering quality services & solutions on time all the time by transforming processes & technology into business advantages.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a senior Automation Technical Lead to serve as the primary engineering authority for automation systems supporting Utilities and Building Management Systems (BMS), including HVAC, central plant, critical utilities monitoring, and facility integration points within a cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
In this role, you will own the full technical lifecycle of BMS and utilities automation — from requirements definition and design review through vendor management, commissioning, and handover to operations. You will collaborate closely with IT/OT, Facilities, Quality, and external integrators and EPC partners, while mentoring junior engineers and establishing automation standards across the site.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Technical Requirements Ownership: Define and own automation and BMS technical requirements including URS/FRS, control narratives, I/O lists, points lists, network architecture, and cybersecurity requirements in coordination with IT/OT teams.
- Design Review & Deliverable Management: Develop and review design deliverables (P&IDs, control diagrams, sequences of operation, panel designs, wiring schematics, and specifications) submitted by integrators and EPC partners, ensuring full alignment with site standards and regulatory requirements.
- Vendor & Integrator Management: Lead vendor and integrator selection support, conduct technical bid evaluations, define scope-of-work, manage technical interfaces, and provide RFI responses throughout the project lifecycle.
- Commissioning & Qualification Leadership: Drive commissioning readiness by reviewing test protocols, supporting FAT/SAT/IOQ activities, overseeing functional testing, managing punch lists, and ensuring turnover packages are complete and fully documented.
- Operations Coordination & Troubleshooting: Coordinate system cutovers, downtime planning, and operational readiness with Facilities and Operations teams; provide expert troubleshooting support and root cause analysis for complex automation issues.
- Compliance & Change Control: Ensure all automation activities comply with applicable GMP standards, change control requirements, documentation practices, and validation deliverables.
- Standards Development & Mentorship: Establish and enforce site standards for alarms, trending, graphics, naming conventions, and CMMS/EMS integrations; mentor engineers and technicians to build internal automation capability.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Instrumentation, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 6–8 years of progressive experience in industrial automation, with demonstrated technical leadership in BMS, HVAC, or critical utilities systems.
- Expertise in automation control system design including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, DCS, BMS/HVAC controls, and central plant systems.
- Proven experience developing URS/FRS, control narratives, I/O lists, and network architecture documentation.
- Hands-on experience leading FAT/SAT/IOQ commissioning activities and managing integrator/EPC technical interfaces.
- Strong knowledge of cGMP standards, change control processes, and automation validation requirements.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (oral and written).
Preferred
- Experience with CMMS and EMS integration for pharmaceutical or biotech facilities.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks for OT/IT environments (ISA/IEC 62443 or equivalent).
- PMP certification or equivalent project management credential.
- Background in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
SKILLS
Technical Skills
- PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, DCS, BMS/HVAC control systems — technical lead level
- URS/FRS, control narratives, I/O lists, network architecture documentation
- P&ID and wiring schematic review and development
- FAT/SAT/IOQ commissioning protocol development and execution
- cGMP, change control, and automation validation requirements
- OT/IT cybersecurity requirements and network architecture
- CMMS and EMS integration standards
- Microsoft Office 365 — Project, Excel, Word, Visio, Teams
Soft Skills
- Technical authority with the ability to drive decisions across diverse engineering teams
- Strong leadership presence — able to hold vendors, integrators, and internal teams accountable
- Clear and structured communicator across technical and non-technical audiences
- Mentor and coach who invests in the growth of the engineering team
- Systematic problem-solver with deep root cause analysis capability
- Disciplined in documentation, compliance, and engineering quality standards