Automation Engineer Project Manager Jobs in Iowa

You Matter to Cambrex.

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as comprehensive analytical and IND enabling services. 

With over 40 years of experience and a team of 2,000 experts servicing global clients from North America and Europe, Cambrex offers a range of specialized drug substance technologies and capabilities, including continuous flow, controlled substances, liquid-phase peptide synthesis, solid-state science, material characterization, and highly potent APIs.

Your Work Matters.

At Cambrex, we strive to build a culture where all colleagues have the opportunity to:

• engage in work that matters to our customers and the patients they serve
• learn new skills and enjoy new experiences in an engaging and safe environment
• strengthen connections with coworkers and the community

We’re committed to attracting and nurturing a passionate team of valued professionals in our fast-paced and growing company.  We offer a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare, life insurance, planning for retirement, and more!

Your Future Matters.

Known for our customer-focused scientific and manufacturing excellence, as well as our strong commitment to quality and safety, we offer a range of career and growth opportunities across our global network of locations. Together with our customers, we aim to improve the quality of life for patients around the world. Start a career where You Matter by applying today!

The Manager of Automation Engineering is a first-line technical leader responsible for overseeing the automation engineering team and ensuring reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of control systems across the site. This individual manages automation resources, develops team capability, and personally leads to high-impact automation projects or system upgrades. The role combines people leadership with hands-on engineering execution, driving continuous improvement in process automation, data systems, and manufacturing reliability. 

• Leadership & People Management 

  • Directly supervise and mentor a team of automation engineers, technicians, and/or controls specialists. 
  • Set performance goals, conduct reviews, and support individual development and training plans. 
  • Allocate team resources across projects, maintenance support, and continuous improvement initiatives. 
  • Establish and enforce automation standards, engineering procedures, and best practices. 
  • Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and innovation within the team. 

  Project Ownership 

  • Serve as project lead or subject matter expert on select automation projects, upgrades, and system integrations. 
  • Provide hands-on design, programming, configuration, and commissioning support for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and DCS systems. 
  • Ensure automation systems meet operational, reliability, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements. 
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, IT, maintenance, quality) to deliver integrated system solutions. 
  • Review and approve automation design packages, control narratives, and change control documentation. 

  Strategic and Continuous Improvement 

  • Lead the automation roadmap for the site — including system modernization, digital transformation, and process optimization initiatives. 
  • Identify opportunities for automation or advanced control to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance product quality. 
  • Oversee vendor and integrator relationships, including scope of definition, project execution, and performance management. 
  • Ensure alignment with corporate IT/OT cybersecurity standards. 
  • Track and report automation of KPIs and reliability metrics. 

  Compliance & Documentation 

  • Ensure all automation work adheres to GMP, GAMP 5, OSHA, and other relevant regulatory standards. 
  • Oversee and approve documentation such as functional design specs (FDS), test protocols, and validation records. 
  • Maintain system lifecycle documentation and ensure changes are properly controlled and recorded. 

  Reports To 

  • Reports to: Director or Associate Director, Engineering / Capital Projects 
  • Direct Reports: 3–8 Automation Engineers and/or Controls Technicians 
  • Role Type: First-line people manager with active technical and project responsibilities. 

• Strong expertise in control system design, PLC/HMI programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.), and network communications. 

• Experience in regulated manufacturing (pharmaceutical, biotech, or chemical) strongly preferred. 

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple concurrent projects. 

• Strong communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills. 

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering (master's preferred). 

• Minimum 7–10 years of engineering experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or lead project role. 

• Ability lift and move 25 lb. weight 

• Ability to climb stairs and/or ladders 

• Exposure to chemicals, moving parts, vibration, noise, etc. 

• Travel would be <5% of work hours 

Cambrex is committed to providing a safe and productive work environment. All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a comprehensive pre-employment screen. The pre-employment screen may consist of several components including but not limited to a drug test, criminal record check, identity verification, reference checks, education and employment verification, and may vary based on federal, state, and local laws. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration. 

All requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Cambrex Corporation is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), ancestry, national origin, place of birth, age, marital status, disability/handicap, genetic information, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state, and/or local law.

#LI-RD1

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering (master's preferred). 

• Minimum 7–10 years of engineering experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or lead project role.