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Senior Automation Engineer

KBI Biopharma


Job Location:

Durham, NC - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 8 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 5 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

JOB SUMMARY:

The Facilities Engineering Department is responsible for all aspects of maintaining the site infrastructure in an active reliable state to support cGMP operations. Facilities Engineering oversees the architectural features of the buildings Structural/Civil Biotech process and laboratory equipment and systems HVAC Plant and Clean Utility Systems Electrical Power and Lighting and Automation for the facility. A Senior Automation Engineer is responsible for providing technical support for ongoing operations by serving as a system owner for Facilities automation systems maintaining the site in a compliant state and ensuring engineering and quality standards are maintained. Facilities Engineering is responsible for the generation and implementation of Change Controls Corrective Actions Preventive Actions Deviations and other quality system records. As a part of project execution a Senior Automation Engineer will support the design implementation commissioning and validation of new systems or the modification of existing systems and serve as a project manager or lead project engineer for multiple concurrent projects. For larger more complex projects a Senior Automation Engineer will manage KBI engineering resources by assigning tasks setting work priorities and being responsible for project completion. A Senior Engineer will also manage outside contractors and trades. Project Management activities may include scope definition scope adherence stakeholder agreement budgeting scheduling risk management procurement and installation support

Responsibilities:

Direct or support concurrent automation engineering projects on both technical and project management aspects for capital and operational projects while ensuring their success in meeting their respective objectives.

Support the maintenance oversight of site instrumentation plant level automation hard and software and oversight of the Manufacturing Execution Systems Building Management System and Data Historian.

Support Validation with the planning and execution of commissioning and validation protocols. Support CAPA Change Control Deviation Risk Analysis Root Cause Analysis and other Quality Systems.

Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and other procedures for installed systems.

Support and comply with engineering standards drawing controls project controls and other procedures and standards necessary for the successful operation of the department as well as the creation and maintenance of the same.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering discipline and a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible instrumentation/automation development implementation and maintenance activities or;

Bachelor of Science degree and a minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible instrumentation/automation development implementation and maintenance activities.

Minimum 5 years hands on experience with instrumentation and controls equipment including PLCs HMIs SCADA systems and networking equipment

Have strong automation engineering skills and ability.

Have Fieldbus configuration and management experience with Profibus being preferred or be able to obtain the same.

Experience with Unicorn Wonderware Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Rockwell Automation RSLogix Siemens Apogee Open Process Control (OPC) preferable.

Experience with qualifiable MES systems such as OSI Pi preferable.

Must have experience with Windows Servers hardware and Microsoft Windows - applications.

Experience with communication protocols including but not limited to RS-485 RS-232 Ethernet Modbus & Profibus is preferable.

Experience in Biopharmaceutical manufacturing preferable

Must have experience with writing protocols test scripts user requirements and system design documents.

Must have strong organization interpersonal oral and written communication skills.

Must be able to prioritize multiple commitments and technical problems.

Must have the ability to shift priorities according to changes in department/facility needs and be open to different ideas/approaches.

Language Ability:

Ability to concisely write reports and to effectively communicate information to executive management managers technicians government agencies and customers.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply engineering principles and problem-solving skills to everyday challenges.

Math Ability:

Strong math and analytical skills required. Ability to perform heat load calculations and size utility systems. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution variance analysis and determination of reliability and validity.

Physical Demands

Execution of assigned tasks will require the ability to access hard to reach areas of the facility to include confined spaces cramped or low ceilings interstitials and mechanical rooms.

Computer Skills:

Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint and Project) AutoCAD 3.7

Equipment Use:

Standard hand tools power tools electrical multimeter large format plotter computer telephone copy and fax machine

KBI Biopharma Inc. is an EEO/AA employer and actively seeks to diversify its work force. Therefore all qualified applicants regardless of race color national origin religion gender gender identity sexual orientation age disability or veteran status are strongly encouraged to apply.

I understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for KBI Biopharma Inc. to hire me. If I am hired I understand that either KBI Biopharma Inc. or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of KBI Biopharma Inc. has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

I attest with my signature below that I have given to KBI Biopharma Inc. true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize KBI Biopharma Inc. to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue or if I have concealed material information I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.


Required Experience:

Senior IC


About Company

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KBI Biopharma Inc. is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO / CMO) offering Cell Line Development, Process Analytical & Formulation Development, Clinical & Commercial Manufacturing, and more.

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