Automation Specialist Jobs in Virginia

Group Leader - Instrument Automation

I. Job Summary

The Group Leader - Instrument Automation provides technical expertise and frontline leadership to the automation and instrumentation team. This role is responsible for ensuring that all plant manufacturing, packaging, utility, and laboratory instrumentation systems are operating at peak efficiency, compliant with cGMP guidelines, and fully integrated with site automation platforms. The Group Leader balances hands-on technical execution—including programming, troubleshooting, and system design—with daily operational leadership, team training, and workload distribution.

II. Core Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Work Coordination: Plan, organize, and assign daily tasks and special projects to the instrumentation and automation team based on site priorities. Serve as the primary technical escalation point for complex troubleshooting.
• Automation & Systems Integration: Program, configure, and maintain site automation and control systems, including SCADA, MES, Building Automation Systems (BAS), PLC architectures, and HART communication protocols.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all documentation, system modifications, and instrument calibrations strictly adhere to cGMP guidelines and site metrology procedures. Review and approve team technical documentation before it is logged into the site's asset management database (e.g., Blue Mountain or equivalent).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Production teams to support the design, installation, start-up, and commissioning of new equipment and automated processes.
• Training & Mentorship: Lead the technical development of the team. Conduct routine procedural reviews, identify training gaps, and ensure technicians are fully qualified to support advanced automated instrumentation.
• Continuous Improvement: Develop and implement optimized calibration, maintenance, and automation methods to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and maintain a robust state of validation.

III. Decision Making & Autonomy

• Interpretive & Creative: Operates with a high degree of autonomy under general direction. Interprets site procedures to determine the best course of action during critical equipment downtime.
• System Design: Authorized to design and modify process control loops and instrumentation setups to support evolving manufacturing and packaging requirements.
• Quality Gatekeeper: Responsible for reviewing and signing off on subordinate documentation to guarantee audit readiness for regulatory bodies (FDA, internal corporate audits).

IV. Education, Experience, and Skills

• Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a closely related technical field.
• Experience: Minimum of 4–5 years of progressive experience in industrial instrumentation and automation, ideally within a regulated cGMP manufacturing environment (e.g., pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or consumer goods). Prior experience acting in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity is preferred.
• Certifications: CCST (Certified Control Systems Technician) or equivalent automation certification is highly desirable.
• Technical Skills:
• Proven proficiency in PLC/SCADA programming and industrial networking.
• Strong working knowledge of calibration management software (e.g., Blue Mountain RAM).
• Deep understanding of loop tuning, electrical schematics, and P&IDs.
• Soft Skills: Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to coach and guide a technical team.

V. Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Must be able to navigate a manufacturing plant environment, which may include climbing ladders, entering confined spaces, and occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to variable environments, including production floors, mechanical utility rooms, and conditioned laboratory spaces.

What we offer:

Competitive salaries, comprehensive health/vision/dental insurance, company paid short term disability, company paid life and accidental death insurance, 401(k) plan match of 4.5% with immediate vesting, generous employee referral program, paid vacation annually, paid holidays annually, onsite cafeteria, job advancement opportunities. Manufacturing employees also receive company paid work shoes, uniforms and prescription safety eyeglasses.