Apply to Senior DeltaV Automation Engineer – Biopharma Drug Substance Manufacturing - (JP15768)

Job Title: Senior DeltaV Automation Engineer – Biopharma Drug Substance Manufacturing - (JP15768)
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA. 91320
Employment Type: Contract
Business Unit: Advanced Technology & Automation
Duration: 1+ year (with likely extensions and/or conversion to permanent)
Posting Date: 08/25/26
Pay Rate: $43 - $48/hour W2
Notes: Only qualified candidates need apply. Shift/Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8am - 5:00pm. *Must be willing to be on call - After hours support once every 4 weeks (Manufacturing calls that come in, resolve any issues that come up) - 1 call per week that their own (call is 2 hours)

3 Key Consulting is hiring an Senior DeltaV Automation Engineer – Biopharma Drug Substance Manufacturing for a consulting engagement with our direct client, a leading global biopharmaceutical company.

Job Description:
We are seeking an External Automation Engineer based in Thousand Oaks, California to augment our client’s MCS F&E Automation team. This role will support ongoing biological processes by updating, maintaining, and improving DeltaV automation systems, and providing critical site support. The successful candidate must exhibit sound analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, exemplary communication and collaboration, and operational excellence. A proven ability to work in cross-functional teams is critical for this role.

The ideal individual must be a self-directed team player ready to mentor and develop engineering staff and embrace a team-based culture that relies on collaboration for effective decision-making.

Strong leadership, technical writing, and communication/presentation skills.

Ability to perform independently, self-motivated, organized, able to multi-task in project environments, and skilled in communication, facilitation, and collaboration.

Why is the Position Open?
Supplement additional workload on team

Top Must Have Skills:
1. DeltaV Batch Experience
2. Knowledge of standard biopharma manufacturing processes
3. Background in design, installation, programming, and validation of automated processes.

Day to Day Responsibilities:
Develop and support process control applications via Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems (SCADA), and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).

Collaborate with scientific and operational staff to help translate process requirements into automation and engineering design.
Participate in technical root cause analysis, incident investigations, and troubleshooting on process control issues related to instrumentation and control systems.
Design and test of automated process equipment. Support new product and technology introductions by performing engineering assessments, implementing automation system configuration changes, and supporting engineering runs.
Support capital projects by applying advanced automation engineering principles in the design, specification, configuration, startup, and commissioning of process equipment and systems for capital projects of significant scope and complexity. Demonstrated understanding of project life cycles is preferred. Candidate should be familiar with engineering processes from initial conceptualization through project turnover to operations.
Development of detailed specification, engineering documents, SOPs, and operating standards.

Basic Qualifications:
Doctorate degree OR Masters degree and 2 years of experience OR Bachelors degree and 4 years of experience OR Associates degree and 8 years of experience OR High school diploma / GED and 10 years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, Chemical Engineering or Biotech

Engineering.
Extensive understanding and background in programming, design, installation and lifecycle
management of manufacturing process controls, automation and field instrumentation
technologies.
Demonstrated hands-on experience in developing process control strategies for New
Product Introduction and New Technology Deployment for Clinical and Commercial Drug
Substance Plant Operations.
Direct knowledge of Automation design, experience in process control engineering and
troubleshooting with GMP biopharmaceutical production facility equipment/systems such
as media, harvest, bioreactors, chromatography, vial filtration, and ultrafiltration/diafiltration,
and integrating various OEM automation software.
Demonstrated experience with continuous improvements resulting in enhanced safety,
system reliability, and productivity (e.g. cycle times, and reduced plant utilities usage etc.)
related to Drug Substance Plant Operations.
5+ years’ combined experience with the following:
- Emerson Delta-V DCS system
- Rockwell Automation SCADA and PLC Platform.
- Electronic Batch Reporting Systems Design and implementation experience.
- Process Control Network design including network segregation
- Process Control Systems: Virtual Infrastructure design and implementation and ability to perform advanced troubleshooting activities with client IS.
- System Integration using OPC, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, and DeviceNet technologies.
- Compliance and regulatory requirements such as 21 CFR Part 11, ASTM 2500, S88, S95 and GAMP.

Red Flags:
1. No DeltaV Batch Experience
2. No biopharma experience

Interview process:
1. Virtual interview with manager
2. Interview with team

We invite qualified candidates to send your resume to resumes@3keyconsulting.com. If you decide that you’re not interested in pursuing this particular position, please feel free to take a look at the other positions on our website www.3keyconsulting.com/careers. You are also welcome to share this opportunity with anyone you think might be interested in applying for this role.