Sr. Principal Automation & Pharmaceutical Packaging Engineer

PCI Pharma Services•Rockford, IL

5d•$122,000 - $137,250

About The Position

PCI Pharma Services is hiring a senior engineering professional to lead the design and development of high-speed automated packaging equipment and associated manufacturing systems. The role supports production efficiency and project execution by working with management, production, and maintenance to assess technical advancements, improve processes, and plan equipment layouts, workspace, and workflow. It also participates in developing new or modified production projects and oversees their organization, scheduling, and implementation. The engineer develops strategic production-process documentation for anticipated project requirements involving buildings, equipment, and material flow. The position directs installation, testing, operation, maintenance, and repair of facilities and equipment beyond the scope of maintenance, using SolidWorks or CAD as needed. It provides training to Production, Maintenance, and Validations teams on new systems and manages project priorities, schedules, resources, and communication with upper management. The role leads and coordinates capital-budget activities for equipment and new construction, tracks project metrics and communicates progress, barriers, and accomplishments, and prepares CAPEX, project timelines, component requisitions, and technical documentation such as engineering studies, work instructions, SOPs, FATs, SATs, and URSs. Knowledge of and adherence to PCI, cGMP, and GCP policies and procedures is required. Overtime and/or weekend work may be required, and attendance is an essential function of the position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive engineering experience, including substantial experience designing, developing, integrating, and implementing automated manufacturing equipment.
Extensive experience with high-speed automated equipment, pharmaceutical packaging, inspection systems, or similarly complex regulated manufacturing equipment.
Demonstrated expertise in mechanical machine design and equipment development.
Strong working knowledge of robotics, servo systems, motion control, automation, machine vision, sensors, pneumatics, and integrated manufacturing systems.
Statistical and advanced mathematical skills.
Advanced computer skills, including the ability to perform complex computer tasks and operate various computer programs.
Full professional proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing for professional needs.
Ability to apply logical or scientific reasoning to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems, including work with concrete and abstract variables.
Supervisory capabilities.
Ability to travel.
Ability to work overtime and/or weekends as required.
Ability to meet the position’s attendance expectations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in pharmaceutical packaging, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries.
Experience with serialization, vision inspection, robotics, high-speed filling or packaging, automated material handling, or integrated production lines.
Experience with PLC and controls architecture and integration with mechanical automation systems.
Experience leading large-scale automation or capital-equipment programs.
Ability to present information effectively to different audiences.
Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
Demonstrated success managing employees.
Attention to detail.
Ability to provide strategic direction and make independent decisions for others in the engineering department.
Ability to set challenging goals and drive accountability and collaboration to achieve them.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of high-speed automated packaging equipment and associated manufacturing systems.
Work with management, production, and maintenance to analyze technical advancements, improve processes, and plan equipment and workspace layouts and workflow.
Participate in conceptual development of new or modified production projects and oversee organization, scheduling, and implementation.
Develop strategic production-process documentation for anticipated project requirements involving buildings, equipment, and material flow.
Plan and direct installation, testing, operation, maintenance, and repair of facilities and equipment beyond the scope of maintenance, using SolidWorks or CAD as necessary.
Train Production, Maintenance, and Validations teams on operation of new systems.
Manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines and bring assignments to completion.
Lead, plan, direct, and coordinate capital-budget activities for equipment and new construction.
Manage projects from start to completion, collaborating and coordinating resources and departments outside of engineering.
Communicate project status, issue resolution, and strategic direction to upper management.
Tie activities to key process indicators or metrics and communicate status, barriers, and accomplishments.
Prepare project documentation, including CAPEX, project timelines, and component requisitions.
Prepare technical documentation, including engineering studies, work instructions, SOPs, FATs, SATs, and URSs.
Follow PCI, cGMP, and GCP policies, procedures, and rules.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager or Supervisor.