Job Description

About The Job

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

About the Role:

Arcadis is seeking an experienced and strategic Automation Lead to oversee automation systems integration throughout the design and construction of a new GMP manufacturing facility for our biotechnology client in Holly Springs, NC. This is a director-level position that will play a key leadership role in the successful delivery of Emerson DeltaV-based process automation—from early design through commissioning and handover to operations.

The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in DeltaV distributed control systems, a solid understanding of automation within regulated environments, and proven experience supporting large-scale capital projects in the life sciences or pharmaceutical industry.

Key Responsibilities:

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Lead the automation strategy and implementation for the new GMP facility, ensuring alignment with operational, regulatory, and business requirements.

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Serve as the technical lead and subject matter expert for DeltaV DCS across the project lifecycle—from design, configuration, and FAT/SAT through site commissioning and startup.

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Collaborate with process, engineering, validation, IT, and quality teams to develop robust, compliant automation solutions that support manufacturing readiness.

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Develop and review key documentation, including User Requirements Specifications (URS), Functional and Design Specs (FRS/DS), control narratives, alarm management strategy, and recipe configuration (ISA-88).

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Oversee the integration of DeltaV with upstream/downstream equipment, clean utilities, and supporting digital systems (e.g., MES, historians).

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Drive commissioning and qualification of automation systems in accordance with GMP guidelines and project milestones.

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Manage relationships with system integrators, automation vendors, and other third parties to ensure timely and compliant system delivery.

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Support change control, risk assessments, and deviation management associated with automation systems.

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Provide mentorship and technical guidance to project team members and client stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

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Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.

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Minimum 10+ years of automation engineering experience, including recent leadership roles on capital projects in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.

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Extensive hands-on experience with Emerson DeltaV systems, including configuration, batch control (ISA-88), and alarm rationalization.

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Proven success delivering automation scopes for greenfield GMP manufacturing facilities, from design through CQV.

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Strong knowledge of GMP, GAMP 5, 21 CFR Part 11, and other regulatory compliance requirements related to automation.

Automation Lead (Director)

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Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including Engineering, Quality, Validation, and Operations.

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Excellent communication, planning, and problem-solving skills.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Arcadis offers benefits for full time and part time positions. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision, EAP, 401K, STD, LTD, AD&D, life insurance, paid parental leave, reward & recognition program and optional benefits including wellbeing benefits, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement. We offer nine paid holidays and 15 days PTO that accrue per year. Salaries will vary and are based on several factors, such as experience, education, budget, internal equity, project and location.

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