Automation/Pi Engineer – Global MSAT, Redmond, WA
Just-Evotec Biologics is seeking a highly skilled and motivated professional to lead the global rollout and ongoing expansion of our AVEVA PI software system. This role will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the AVEVA PI infrastructure to support operational technology (OT) and process control systems across our global operations, with a key focus on collaboration with our site in France.
The successful candidate will ensure the system meets business needs, adheres to data governance standards, and delivers robust reporting and analytics capabilities. This is a dynamic, hands-on role requiring expertise in process control systems, OT infrastructure, and AVEVA PI tools, including PI Asset Framework (AF) and PI Vision.
This role is part of the Automation team in Global MSAT and is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the AVEVA PI infrastructure to support operational technology (OT) and process control systems across our global operations. This includes designing and implementing creative solutions to complex technical challenges in helping Just achieve a novel flexible and reconfigurable cGMP manufacturing facility focused on continuous processing. The role has requiring expertise in process control systems, OT infrastructure, and AVEVA PI tools, including PI Asset Framework (AF) and PI Vision. The role also requires some experience in other automation platforms (ie, DeltaV, Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Wonderware, etc.) as there will be some production automation support. The role also requires experience working in a GMP environment, change control management, and automation validation in accordance with GAMP5 guidelines
Travel Requirements & Flexibility:
Please note that this position requires occasional travel to our JEB Toulouse site. Additionally, some flexibility in working hours will be necessary to effectively collaborate with our European colleagues across different time zones.
Responsibilities (including but are not limited to):
- Lead the end-to-end implementation of the AVEVA PI software system, including planning, configuration, testing, and deployment across global sites.
- Collaborate closely with the team in France to ensure seamless integration and alignment with local operational requirements.
- Design and maintain the PI system architecture, leveraging PI AF and PI Vision to support process control, data management, and visualization needs.
- Drive the ongoing expansion of the AVEVA PI ecosystem, incorporating new data sources, use cases, and enhancements based on business requirements.
- Ensure robust OT infrastructure integration, maintaining secure and reliable connectivity between PI systems and process control environments.
- Establish and enforce data governance and data management best practices to ensure data integrity, consistency, and accessibility.
- Develop and optimize reporting and analytics solutions using AVEVA PI tools to provide actionable insights for stakeholders.
- Provide technical expertise and support to global teams, troubleshooting issues and ensuring system reliability and performance.
- Work with cross-functional teams, including IT, OT, and engineering, to align the PI system with organizational goals.
- Stay current with industry trends and advancements in AVEVA PI, process control systems, and OT technologies to recommend improvements and innovations.
- Collaborate with multiple disciplines, including manufacturing, process engineering, process development, data scientists, utility operations, maintenance, quality assurance, and validation to implement operational improvements
- Author and execute test scripts or validation protocols
- Lead or contribute to technical root cause analysis, incident investigations, and troubleshooting of process control issues.
- Lead CAPAs and change controls, and work closely with the site MTS (Manufacturing technical services) team to implement changes
- Participate as a core team member on the NPI team to ensure all the automation changes/ MES changes are designed/tested as part of NPI readiness.
- Provide technical support to the manufacturing sites as needed, specific to process control and automation systems
Position Requirements:
- B.S or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Biotech Engineering, or related life science engineering.
- 8+ years relevant experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences
- Strong control system automation background. Design, installation, programming, and validation of automated processes is essential.
- Understanding of FDA CFR 21 Part 11 compliance
- Established record of successful project completions employing proven engineering and project management skills
- Demonstrated skills coding in configuring Pi and Pi using Pi Tools
- Demonstrated skills in designing and implementing OT / Digital systems
- Must possess strong focus on quality and attention to detail
- Motivated, self-starter with strong organizational skills
- Good interpersonal, team, and communication skills are a must
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience in computer software validation
- Participation on global teams, Center of Excellence, etc.
- Leverage expertise using GAMP5 risk-based approach when implementing changes to the validated PAS
- Authority inspection or audit support involvement
- Experience with single-use technologies and systems
- Experience with DeltaV systems, Siemens, Allen Bradley, Wonderware automation platforms
- Certification in AVEVA PI System administration or development.
- Experience with additional OT or IT systems commonly used in industrial settings (e.g., SCADA, DCS, MES).
- Understanding of cybersecurity principles related to OT environments.
- Proficiency in scripting or programming (e.g., Python, SQL) to enhance PI system functionality.
This job description is intended to describe the general content of the job, and to identify the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Because job requirements evolve with the changing needs of Just-Evotec Biologics business, this description is subject to change and may be modified at any time, whether formally or informally.
The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be $112,560 to $154,100; Base salary offered may vary depending on the individual’s skills, experience and competitive market value. Additional total rewards include discretionary annual bonus, comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, short-term and long-term disability, company paid basic life insurance, 401k company match, flexible work, generous paid time off and paid holiday, wellness and transportation benefits.
Evotec (US) Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, age, disability, genetic information, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Top Skills
What We Do
Evotec is a biotechnology company that is committed to advancing drug discovery and development. Through flexible business models, we collaborate with pharmaceutical companies, biotechs, foundations, and government agencies on a substantial scale. We believe that by working together, we can make a difference in the lives of patients.
Our Pipeline Co-Creation model represents our adaptable, multi-modality, fully integrated end-to-end approach to drive collaborations and services across all phases of drug discovery and development – from discovery of novel targets to achieving Proof of Concept in the clinic and into commercial manufacturing.
We aspire to contribute data-driven disease understanding and early disease relevance in humans to bring the probability of success up. We select the right modality, which is then propelled forward on our platforms by our passionate people striving for the fastest and most effective ways towards patient impact. This is enabled by convergence of human ingenuity with data and AI.
We also offer specific solutions, products, and CRO/CDMO-like services, always in support of the Biopharma R&D innovator. Our more than 4,000 scientists work closely with numerous partners concurrently, delivering fully integrated research and development portfolios or individual projects with the highest quality standards and efficiency, coupled with great science, passion, engagement, and communication.
