Principal Automation Engineer - DeltaV
Principal Automation Engineer - DeltaV
Location: Hybrid | Greater Philadelphia Area, PA
Travel: Approximately 30%
Industry: Life Sciences / Process Automation / Manufacturing
Overview
A growing automation and systems integration consultancy is seeking a Principal Automation Engineer - DeltaV to play a key role in the development and expansion of its DeltaV practice within the life sciences sector. This position combines hands-on technical delivery with technical leadership, strategic input, and team development responsibilities.
Reporting directly to the DeltaV Practice Lead, the successful candidate will support clients across the full project lifecycle while helping establish standards, best practices, organisational structure, and technical capabilities within a rapidly growing DeltaV engineering team.
This is an opportunity for an experienced DeltaV subject matter expert to influence both customer outcomes and the long-term success of a developing automation practice.
Key Responsibilities
Client Delivery & Technical Execution
- Lead and execute DeltaV automation projects within regulated life sciences manufacturing environments.
- Provide technical consulting, system assessments, troubleshooting support, and engineering recommendations.
- Deliver all phases of project execution, including:
- Feasibility and business case assessments
- Front-End Engineering Design (FEED)
- Solution architecture and software design
- System implementation and testing
- Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
- Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
- Commissioning and qualification
- Go-live support and operational hypercare
- Support both project-based engagements and staff augmentation assignments.
- Provide technical oversight, guidance, and leadership to other engineers when required.
Project Support & Business Development
- Support client-facing activities including proposal development and technical reviews.
- Develop project estimates covering:
- Cost
- Schedule
- Resource requirements
- Risks and dependencies
- Act as a trusted technical advisor throughout customer engagements.
Practice Development
- Contribute to the growth and maturity of theDeltaV practice through the development of:
- Engineering procedures
- Best practices
- Technical standards
- Productivity tools
- Training materials
- Help shape operational processes, team structure, and ways of working.
- Serve as a mentor and coach to junior and mid-level engineers.
- Provide direct people leadership and line management responsibilities when required.
Leadership & Culture
- Promote collaboration across teams and disciplines.
- Foster a high-performance, customer-focused culture.
- Demonstrate strong ownership, accountability, and professionalism.
- Support a safe and compliant working environment while maintaining the highest engineering standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience.
- Minimum of 8 years of hands-on engineering and project experience with Emerson DeltaV DCS.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience working within GMP-regulated life sciences environments.
- Proven ability to independently execute and lead complex automation projects.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading matrixed engineering teams delivering manufacturing technology projects.
- Previous people leadership or line management experience.
- Strong background in the design, implementation, and testing of integrated DeltaV solutions.
- Experience integratingDeltaV with:
- PLC-based skids and equipment
- Manufacturing instrumentation and analytical systems
- MES, SCADA, and manufacturing software platforms such as Werum PAS-X and Ignition
- Prior manufacturing experience within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or broader life sciences organisation.
Location & Travel Requirements
- Hybrid working arrangement.
- Must be able to commute throughout the Greater Philadelphia region as required.
- Travel to customer sites will be expected based on project demands.
- Estimated travel requirement of approximately 30%.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a highly experienced DeltaV professional who combines deep technical expertise with leadership capability and a customer-first mindset. They will be comfortable balancing project execution, client engagement, mentoring engineers, and helping build a growing DeltaV practice within the life sciences industry.
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