Systems Engineering Manager

ATS Automation•Charlotte, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

SP Industries, Inc. is expanding its team and has an opening for a Senior Systems Engineer. We’re looking for a Senior Systems Engineer who wants true technical ownership – someone ready to step beyond a single discipline and take responsibility for how complex systems come together, perform, and succeed in the field. In this role, you’ll be the technical glue across mechanical design, controls, automation, process engineering, quality, and manufacturing. You’ll work at the system level to ensure our pharmaceutical equipment meets customer needs, regulatory expectations, and long‑term performance goals—from early concept through qualification and deployment. This position is a strong fit for an experienced engineer who enjoys seeing the whole system, not just their piece of it, wants more authority, accountability, and visibility, and is looking for a clear path into senior technical leadership or principal‑level roles. You’ll be embedded on‑site with a pharmaceutical customer, taking hands‑on ownership of two aseptic filling systems. Your mission is to stabilize, improve, and guide these systems through successful IQ/OQ, working closely with internal teams and the customer. This is a visible role where your technical judgment matters. You’ll have the opportunity to build trust with a key customer through sound engineering decisions, drive issues to closure with cross‑functional teams, and directly influence system architecture, integration strategy, and execution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
8–12+ years developing complex pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated process equipment.
Experience integrating mechanical, controls, and process subsystems.
Working knowledge of GMP-regulated environments, including FDA, ISPE, ASME, and ASTM expectations.
Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Technical aptitude and system-level thinking.
Customer-centric consultative approach.
Ability to drive standardization and repeatable processes.
Excellent prioritization, organization, and problem-solving skills.
All employees have the responsibility to work in a safe manner and report any health, safety or environmental concern to their manager or supervisor in a timely manner.
Work in compliance with divisional health, safety and environmental procedures.
Refrain from removing or altering safety devices or guarding unless hazardous energies are controlled through lockout-tagout methods.
Report any unsafe conditions or unsafe acts.
Report defect in any equipment or protective device.
Ensure that the required protective equipment is used for the assigned tasks.
Attend all required health, safety and environmental training.
Report any accidents/incidents to supervisor.
Assist in investigating accidents/incidents.
Refrain from engaging in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running or rough and boisterous conduct.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with aseptic fill-finish and/or lyophilization systems.
Working knowledge of systems engineering methodologies, including requirements management and V-model practices.
Experience leading or facilitating system-level FMEAs and formal design reviews.
Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks or Creo.
Exposure to vacuum, thermal, refrigeration, and pressure-vessel-based equipment common in GMP environments.

Responsibilities

Translate customer, GMP, and regulatory requirements into clear, verifiable system-level requirements.
Define and maintain system architectures spanning mechanical, controls, automation, utilities, vacuum, refrigeration, and process interfaces.
Manage requirements traceability through design, verification, validation, and change management.
Lead cross-disciplinary integration across mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and process engineering teams.
Facilitate system-level design reviews, trade studies, and risk analyses, including FMEAs.
Identify and mitigate integration risks impacting performance, reliability, safety, and compliance.
Provide technical oversight for major subsystems such as chambers, shelves, condensers, fill paths, motion systems, vacuum, and refrigeration.
Review and approve system-level specifications and technical documentation.
Support manufacturing, testing, FAT/SAT, and field deployments.
Partner with quality, validation, supply chain, and manufacturing to ensure designs are buildable, testable, and serviceable.
Participate in customer‑facing technical discussions and architecture reviews.
Act as a go‑to technical resource for system‑level questions and decisions.