Sr. Automation Engineer – Cold Room

Location: OH (onsite) | Duration: 12-24 Months

About the Role

The Sr. Automation Engineer will lead the design, commissioning, startup, qualification, validation, and operation of CO cold rooms, refrigeration systems, automation, and ASRS. The role will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Packaging, Warehouse, Quality, CSV, IT/OT, and external vendors to ensure compliant, reliable, and scalable cold-chain systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead cold-room and CO refrigeration system design and implementation.
• Lead commissioning, startup, CQV, IQ/OQ/PQ, and validation activities.
• Support automation development, testing, PLC/SCADA/BMS integration, and ASRS interfaces.
• Ensure systems comply with GxP/cGMP, safety, OSHA, EPA, and engineering requirements.
• Partner with Quality, CSV, IT/OT, Manufacturing, Packaging, and Warehouse teams.
• Troubleshoot refrigeration, automation, alarms, temperature excursions, and system failures.
• Lead operational readiness, SOP development, training, and system handover.
• Manage cold-room vendors, contractors, FAT/SAT, technical specifications, and deliverables.
• Drive continuous improvement, reliability, and optimization of cold-chain operations.
• Serve as the technical SME for cold-room automation and refrigeration systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's/Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, or related Engineering.
• 10+ years of industrial refrigeration/cold-room design experience.
• 5+ years of direct CO cold-room design and operation experience.
• Strong experience with automation, controls, PLC/SCADA/BMS, and system integration.
• Experience with CQV, GMP/cGMP, CSV, and validation in a GxP environment.
• Experience with ASRS/warehouse automation is highly preferred.
• Strong project management, vendor management, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of OT/IT convergence and industrial networks.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.