Senior Automation Engineer
Catalent · Harmans, MD
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $120k–$140k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Catalent (pharma & life sciences) in Harmans, MD. Ft., houses 10 CGMP manufacturing suites, fill/finish, central services, testing labs, and a warehouse.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Automation
- Base pay
- $120k–$140k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Maryland: typical posted base $109k–$140k. This one lists $120k–$140k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 12 controls engineer openings in Maryland, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Maryland plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 11 other live controls postings in Maryland.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Typical $109k–$145k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 50%
- Team leadership 42%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 33%
- ✓ Root cause 25%
- ✓ PLC 25%
- Python 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Catalent
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Catalent in Harmans
8 other open roles at this site.
- Senior Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Senior Engineering Technician · Manufacturing · Senior
- Senior Process Engineer - Equipment · Process · Senior
- Reliability Engineering Manager · Reliability · Manager
- Engineering Technician · Manufacturing
- Director, Commercial Operations Gene Therapy · Production · Director+
Full description from CatalentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
We have an opportunity for a Senior Automation Engineer to join our team supporting automated and computerized systems used in manufacturing and Facilities and Utility operations. This role leads complex troubleshooting, owns assigned systems, and manages automation workstreams for major changes and capital projects. The Senior Automation Engineer also mentors less-experienced engineers and ensures systems operate reliably and compliantly. The position reports to the Senior Manager, Automation Engineering.
Shift: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm
Location: Harmans, MD - BWI
100% Onsite
The Role
- ◆Serve as system owner and automation subject-matter expert ensuring reliable operation of manufacturing and facility automation systems.
- ◆Troubleshoot production-impacting issues involving PLCs, SCADA/HMI systems, historians, alarms, industrial networks, and OEM equipment.
- ◆Support manufacturing, Facilities, and Utilities teams when automation issues arise and perform root cause investigations with long-term corrective actions.
- ◆Provide after-hours escalation support for critical system failures.
- ◆Act as technical owner for assigned automation systems, monitoring performance, reliability, and data integrity.
- ◆Identify opportunities to improve uptime, maintainability, cybersecurity, and system effectiveness.
- ◆Coordinate with vendors and integrators for support and upgrades.
- ◆Lead automation workstreams for equipment installations and capital projects, including user requirements, design reviews, FAT/SAT, commissioning, qualification, startup, and handoff.
- ◆Author and review change controls, deviations, CAPAs, risk assessments, SOPs, technical specifications, and lifecycle documentation.
- ◆Ensure systems remain compliant with cGMP, GAMP, and Data Integrity requirements.
- ◆Support audits and regulatory inspections as the system subject-matter expert.
- ◆Mentor Automation Engineers I and II, review technical work, and lead cross-functional technical discussions.
- ◆Coordinate activities with Quality, Validation, MS&T, Operations, Facilities, and Engineering teams.
The Candidate
Requirements
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field with 5–8 years of relevant experience, or Associate degree in a related technical field with 7–10 years of relevant experience.
- ✓5+ years supporting automation systems in GMP manufacturing environments.
- ✓Experience with PLC, SCADA/HMI, Historian, industrial control systems, and instrumentation.
- ✓Experience leading automation projects, system upgrades, and troubleshooting efforts.
- ✓Experience managing change controls, deviations, investigations, and CAPAs.
- ✓Experience supporting validated systems within regulated manufacturing environments.
- ✓Ability to stand, walk, bend, and climb stairs or ladders regularly throughout the workday.
- ✓Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally.
- ✓Manual dexterity to operate laptops, tools, instrumentation, and testing equipment.
- ✓Ability to visually inspect equipment, read control panels, instrumentation, and technical documentation (corrected vision acceptable).
- ✓Ability to work in tight or awkward spaces, including behind equipment and within cleanroom utility areas when troubleshooting or supporting projects.
- ✓Ability to sit for extended periods while preparing technical documentation, reports, investigations, and engineering deliverables.
- ✓Must be able to wear required PPE, including safety glasses/goggles, gloves, lab coats, and respiratory protection when required.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
About Site
Our FDA-licensed, state-of-the-art CGMP manufacturing facility for Gene Therapies is located on the Harmans/BWI campus. The campus, featuring two manufacturing facilities is located 5 miles from the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) airport and 13 miles from our Baltimore location. The campus is close to Washington, DC’s I-270 Technology Corridor, top universities, and government agencies.
The Harmans/BWI-1 EMA and FDA approved facility, at approximately 200,000 sq. ft., houses 10 CGMP manufacturing suites, fill/finish, central services, testing labs, and a warehouse.
The Harmans/BWI-2 facility, at approximately 145,000 sq. ft., is under development and will house 8 CGMP manufacturing suites and cold storage warehousing.
Both facilities support Phase 3 through commercial manufacturing of advanced therapeutic products including AAV and other viral vector-based therapies and vaccines.
Preferred Skills & Background
- +Biopharmaceutical manufacturing
- +Cell & Gene Therapy
- +Vaccine manufacturing
- +CDMO organizations
- +Sterile injectable manufacturing
Pay
Why You Should Join Catalent
- •Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process
- •Diverse, inclusive culture
- •Potential for career growth on an expanding team within an organization dedicated to preserving and bettering lives
- •Competitive paid time off + 8 paid holidays
- •Community engagement and green initiatives
- •Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment
- •Tuition Reimbursement
Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directl