Job Summary
Horizon Controls Group is seeking an
experienced Senior ABB Automation Engineer to support automation systems across
a highly regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The successful
candidate will provide technical leadership and hands-on expertise in ABB DCS
platforms, with a strong focus on ABB MOD300 and ABB 800xA systems,
supporting ongoing operations, upgrades, commissioning activities,
troubleshooting, and capital projects.
This role will play a key part in ensuring
reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of process automation systems
supporting API and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. The position
requires close collaboration with Engineering, Operations, CQV, Maintenance,
Quality, and external vendors to deliver automation solutions aligned with site
and global standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide senior-level technical support for ABB automation systems,
including MOD300 and 800xA DCS platforms, across manufacturing and
utility systems.
- Lead and support automation activities for capital projects, system
upgrades, migrations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Perform system configuration, logic development, troubleshooting,
testing, and modification of ABB control systems.
- Support commissioning, start-up, FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ activities, and
operational handover of automation systems.
- Collaborate with process engineers, operations, maintenance, and
CQV teams to ensure automation systems meet operational and compliance
requirements.
- Investigate and resolve automation-related deviations, incidents,
and system performance issues in a timely manner.
- Support lifecycle management activities for ABB systems, including
hardware/software upgrades and obsolescence planning.
- Develop and maintain automation documentation including functional
specifications, design documents, test protocols, SOPs, and change
controls.
- Ensure all activities are performed in compliance with GMP, data
integrity, and MSD quality standards.
- Participate in risk assessments, root cause investigations, and
continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior automation
engineers and project teams.
- Coordinate with vendors and contractors during project execution
and system support activities.
Requirements
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Degree in Automation, Electrical, Electronic, Chemical, or Process
Engineering (or related discipline).
- Significant experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated
manufacturing environments.
- Strong hands-on expertise with ABB MOD300 and ABB 800xA systems is essential.
- Proven experience supporting DCS systems within API or
pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
- Strong commissioning and qualification experience, including FAT,
SAT, IQ, and OQ support.
- Experience working on brownfield and greenfield automation
projects.
- Good understanding of GMP, GAMP5, ISA-88, ISA-95, and data
integrity requirements.
- Experience with process control, batch systems, field
instrumentation, and industrial networking.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities within live
manufacturing environments.
- Experience with change control, deviation management, and
compliance documentation.
Preferred Skills
- Experience within API manufacturing or bulk chemical processing
environments.
- Exposure to MES, historian systems, or integration with SAP/LIMS
systems.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity and automation lifecycle management.
- Previous experience working on large-scale pharmaceutical capital
projects.
- Familiarity with commissioning and CQV methodologies.
Key Competencies
- Strong technical leadership and decision-making
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
- High attention to detail and compliance focus
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborative and innovation-driven environment
- Involvement in high-impact projects supporting life-saving
medicines
- Strong focus on employee development, safety, and operational
excellence
Skills Required
- Degree in Automation, Electrical, Electronic, Chemical, or Process Engineering (or related discipline)
- Significant experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environments
- Strong hands-on expertise with ABB MOD300 and ABB 800xA systems
- Proven experience supporting DCS systems within API or pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities
- Commissioning and qualification experience including FAT, SAT, IQ, and OQ
- Experience with brownfield and greenfield automation projects
- Understanding of GMP, GAMP5, ISA-88, ISA-95, and data integrity requirements
- Experience with process control, batch systems, field instrumentation, and industrial networking
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities in live manufacturing environments
- Experience with change control, deviation management, and compliance documentation
- Experience within API manufacturing or bulk chemical processing environments
- Exposure to MES, historian systems, or integration with SAP/LIMS systems
- Knowledge of cybersecurity and automation lifecycle management
- Previous experience on large-scale pharmaceutical capital projects
- Familiarity with commissioning and CQV methodologies
What We Do
Horizon Controls Group: A global leader in automation consulting, enabling both clients and employees to live on the forefront of evolving technology. Horizon Controls Group is a modern, global technology company, specializing in automation consulting, engineering, and training. Founded on the belief that our people are the difference, we have grown entirely from customer references and successive projects. Our people and their established reputation are our most valued assets. This belief has created a great place to work, enabling us to attract the very best and to give our customers confidence in our superior solutions. Our business is comprised of excellence at every level. We employ a pro-active and comprehensive approach to projects -- asking the right questions, analyzing client needs, and engineering a skilled solution. We are committed to understanding the entire spectrum of your automation challenges and to developing uniquely tailored innovative solutions. Our decision to be vendor-independent enables us to offer tailored solutions and represent your needs free of any conflict of interest. We are aligned exclusively with our customers' goals and system requirements, enabling us to provide maximum value. Ultimately, the ability to harvest maximum value from new systems is dependent on the quality and training of your people. Just as we expect and ensure absolute expertise in our people, we work with you to ensure your team is trained to the specific needs of your organization and remain at the forefront of industry trends. We are a global company operating in the United States from our headquarters in Blue Bell, PA and offices in Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and California and from Cork in Ireland. This is Horizon Controls Group’s official company LinkedIn page.
