Automation Engineer Jobs in Princeton, NJ (NOW HIRING)

About Penn Life Sciences

Penn Life Sciences (PLS) is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturer dedicated to producing high-quality sterile generic drug products. Headquartered in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, PLS is developing a modern, U.S.-based sterile manufacturing facility designed to meet the highest FDA and global cGMP standards. Our mission is to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical supply, enhance patient access to affordable, life-saving medications, and uphold the values of integrity, innovation, and scientific excellence in everything we do.

What You’ll Do

The Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining automation and control systems that support GMP manufacturing and facility operations. This role provides advanced technical support for PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, leads automation-related continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures that all automated systems operate reliably, safely, and in compliance with applicable regulatory and data integrity requirements. The Automation Engineer partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, and Engineering teams to support equipment performance, system lifecycle management, and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and support automation and control solutions for manufacturing and facility equipment, including PLC, HMI, SCADA, and instrumentation interfaces.
• Troubleshoot complex automation and control system issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve system reliability and uptime.
• Develop, modify, and maintain PLC logic and HMI/SCADA configurations in accordance with approved standards, cybersecurity expectations, and validated system requirements.
• Lead automation activities for new equipment introductions and capital projects, including requirements definition, vendor coordination, FAT/SAT support, commissioning, and system handoff.
• Support computerized systems compliance activities, including change control, risk assessments, validation documentation, system backups, and data integrity controls.
• Maintain accurate, inspection-ready automation documentation such as control narratives, network diagrams, I/O lists, alarm configurations, and system configuration baselines.

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on automation or controls engineering experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience supporting PLC/HMI/SCADA systems throughout the full system lifecycle, including design, implementation, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and sustained operations.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex control systems in a production environment with uptime-critical equipment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong proficiency in PLC programming and troubleshooting, including ladder logic and online diagnostics.
• Experience configuring and supporting HMI and SCADA platforms, including alarms, trends, and user access controls.
• Working knowledge of industrial networking concepts (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/Serial) and control system connectivity.
• Familiarity with computerized systems practices in GMP environments, including change control, validation, access management, and data integrity principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and external vendors.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation with annual performance bonus eligibility
• Annual merit-based pay increases
• Automatic enrollment in a 401(k) at 3% pre-tax with 50% company match on the first 6% contributed
• Paid Time Off
• 10 paid company holidays
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
• Professional development reimbursement
• Career growth opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement for children and childcare expense reimbursement

Schedule

• Full-time, on-site position (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Penn Life Sciences (PLS) is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturer dedicated to producing high-quality sterile drug products. Headquartered in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, PLS is developing a modern, U.S.-based sterile manufacturing facility designed to meet the highest FDA and global cGMP standards. Our mission is to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical supply, enhance patient access to affordable, life-saving medications, and uphold the values of integrity, innovation, and scientific excellence in everything we do.