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Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

SAIC

Automation Engineer Junior

Ashburn, VA · Hybrid

$40K - $80K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description We are currently seeking a motivated and energetic entry-level Automation Engineer to join our team to begin an exciting and challenging career. Position Summary The ...

SAIC

Automation Engineer Junior

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$40K - $80K/yr

Description We are currently seeking a motivated and energetic entry-level Automation Engineer to join our team to begin an exciting and challenging career. Position Summary The Automation Engineer ...

SAIC

Automation Engineer Junior

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$40K - $80K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description We are currently seeking a motivated and energetic entry-level Automation Engineer to join our team to begin an exciting and challenging career. Position Summary The ...

XPERTECHS

Automation Associate

Columbia, MD

Description This role is an entry level position aimed at a blend of AI-focused project work ... Support AI and Automation projects post-deployment, acting as first level response. * Scoping ...

Sargent & Lundy

Entry Level Civil Engineer

Elkridge, MD · On-site

$62K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your civil engineering ... AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to solve ...

Sargent & Lundy

Entry Level Civil Engineer

Elkridge, MD

$62K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your civil ... Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical ...

M.C. Dean, Inc

Control Engineer 2 - Manassas

Manassas, VA · On-site

$83K - $108K/yr

Lead programming / configuration team efforts for complex automation and SCADA applications ... Assigns technical tasks and coordinates with entry-level engineers * Assigns tasks and coordinates ...

Catalent Pharma Solutions

Engineering Technician

Harmans, MD

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Automation and controls operation, repairs and maintenance are preferred. * Requires basic math and ... Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or ...

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All JobsPharma Automation Engineer JobsEntry Level Pharma Automation Engineer JobsEntry Level Pharma Automation Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$41.9K

$121.3K

$184.6K

How much do entry level pharma automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level pharma automation engineer in Washington, DC is $121,331.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $139,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer vs Process Technician?

AspectEntry Level Pharma Automation EngineerProcess Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Automation, or related fieldHigh school diploma or associate degree, technical training
Work EnvironmentManufacturing facilities, labs, automation systemsProduction lines, manufacturing floors
Industry UsageDesign, develop, and maintain automation systems in pharmaOperate and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment

While both roles work within pharmaceutical manufacturing, the Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer focuses on automation system design and maintenance, requiring a degree and technical knowledge. The Process Technician primarily operates and troubleshoots production equipment, often with technical training or experience. Both roles are essential but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What does an entry level pharma automation engineer do?

An Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer works on designing, implementing, and maintaining automated systems in pharmaceutical manufacturing environments. Their responsibilities often include programming equipment, troubleshooting automation issues, and ensuring that processes comply with regulatory standards. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize production efficiency, improve safety, and maintain product quality. This role provides foundational experience in both engineering and the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level pharma automation engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering (such as chemical, electrical, or mechanical), understanding of automation principles, and a relevant degree. Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, and industry standards like GAMP or FDA regulations is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and problem-solving. These skills ensure safe, compliant, and efficient automation processes vital to pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control.

What types of projects and technologies do entry level pharma automation engineers typically work on in their first year?

Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineers often begin their careers supporting the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of automation systems in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Common projects include assisting with the configuration of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and distributed control systems (DCS) to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. You’ll likely work closely with senior engineers and cross-functional teams such as quality assurance, production, and IT, gaining hands-on experience with validation protocols and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This collaborative environment offers valuable exposure to industry-specific automation tools and prepares you for more advanced responsibilities as you progress.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pharma Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Pharma Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Pharma Automation Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,331 per year, or $58.3 per hour.

Automation Engineer Junior

SAIC

Ashburn, VA • Hybrid

$40K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 224 rated it services

Job description

Job ID: 2613931

Location: Ashburn, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Category: Software

Subcategory: SW Testing

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: None

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Public Trust

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE


Description

We are currently seeking a motivated and energetic entry-level Automation Engineer to join our team to begin an exciting and challenging career.

Position Summary

The Automation Engineer will participate in software testing, creation and implementation of Test Strategies, Plans, and Automated Test Scripts as well as other aspects of the software development lifecycle. The candidate will be responsible for developing and testing web applications as dictated by project requirement.

Job Responsibilities

  • Developing automation test scripts.
  • Generating test data and performing Data Validation.
  • Data interface message testing with JSON and XML message sets.
  • Developing SQL or Unix scripts for test data generation or test harness automation.
  • Execute regression, functional, and system testing.
  • Verifying results and producing test summaries and defect reports.
  • Identifying defects and requirement discrepancies, and generating defect change requests and reporting discrepancies.
  • Use modern software engineering IDEs including Eclipse, IntelliJ, etc. for design, development, and testing the software.
  • Work with users in an Agile development approach to understand and document requirements in JIRA.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

  • Bachelor’s in Computer Science or related field with 2+ years of technical experience.
  • Experience with Java/JEE design and software development experience including designing, developing, and documenting large-scale enterprise software systems.
  • Spring Boot.
  • Selenium WebDriver, TestNG.
  • Basic SQL query skills and general understanding of relational databases.
  • Ability to understand data models and write test scripts based on the data model.
  • Evaluate test results, report and manage defects.
  • Good understanding of object-oriented programming and data structures.
  • Ability to work in a high-pressure, tight-deadline environment.
  • Good written/oral communication skills and problem-solving skills; ability to communicate information to a variety of groups at different technical skill levels.
  • Strong initiative: must be able to take a high-level requirement, ask questions/seek clarifications, and get the job done.

Desired Skills and Experience

  • Experience with any one of the following test management software (Bugzilla, Jira, Rally.)
  • Experience in all stages of application testing, including backend testing, functional, usability, regression, load/stress and performance testing.
  • Experience with integration level testing, requiring ability to work with both big picture & in-depth domain knowledge.
  • Proven ability to develop, execute and maintain automated test suites across multiple environments: frontend/backend applications and API Service testing using tools such as Soap UI and Postman with basic JSON and XML knowledge.
  • Experience with any SPA framework testing tools (e.g. e2e, Protractor.)
  • Prior experience in a software development arena is a plus.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills. Must have the ability to present solutions to technical and non-technical project members.
  • Experience working in an agile development process is a plus.
  • Customer Requirements
  • Clearance – Ability to obtain and hold a public trust position and favorable suitability based on a CBP Background Investigation.
  • Citizenship – Must be a US Citizen.
  • Location – Required to be on-site in Ashburn, VA 5 days per week for the first year of employment. After the first year, have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2 days on-site) depending on the needs of the team.

Target salary range: $40,001 - $80,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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