Plant Engineer

SUMMARY

The Plant Engineer has a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. This role requires innovative thinking and will contribute to maintaining and optimizing the plant's equipment, systems, and processes to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. This role will support, manage, coordinate, and implement engineering projects at the designated Sharp facility from concept stages through completion. On going support will continue through production start-up, technology transfer and ongoing support post qualification and start up. This function includes interdepartmental communications with Central Engineering, Operations, Finance, QC, Project Managers and Sales. Includes the functional authority for planning, organization, control, integration, and completion of engineering projects within area of assigned responsibility by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

Oversee Equipment Maintenance: Support Mechanical Electrical Services Group in monitoring and maintaining all manufacturing equipment, including but not limited production machinery, utilities, and automated systems. Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs to minimize downtime, optimize performance, and ensure safe operation.

Troubleshooting and Problem Solving: Utilize technical knowledge to identify, diagnose, and resolve equipment or process-related issues promptly. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish effective solutions, ensuring minimal disruption to production activities.

Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction, and energy efficiency improvements within the plant. Propose and implement innovative ideas to enhance productivity, quality, and safety, while adhering to regulatory requirements.

Compliance and Documentation: Maintain accurate records of equipment maintenance, repairs, and incidents. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory guidelines, including FDA, cGMP, and other applicable standards. Participate in audits and inspections, addressing any findings promptly.

Capital Projects: Collaborate with Central Engineering and Electrical Controls and Serialization teams to plan and execute capital projects, including equipment installations, upgrades, and modifications. Provide technical expertise during the design, procurement, installation, and commissioning phases. Project Management includes developing and writing specific project documentation, such as URS, FRS, FAT, SAT as required. Bring all aspects of the project together including the formulation of design for product handling, the filling process and the machinery to accomplish the above. Coordinates with Project Team Manager and Mechanical & Electrical Services Group to assure technical project goals are aligned with overall project plan.

Tooling Projects: Collaborate with existing equipment vendors to obtain tooling and service quotes. Responsible for project proposal drawings, review of artwork drawings, material layouts and web layouts. Capable of reverse engineering for parts and or assemblies. Maintain and update Engineering Turn Over Packages and databases such as Sample Order, Tool Set Number and Tooling Number.

Shall possess a competent knowledge of all equipment and processes. Increase competence through individual technical data, interpretation of mechanical functions, comprehensive discussions with production mechanics, quality, equipment operators and manufacturers' representatives. Work with Mechanical and Electrical Services Group to design tooling and machine parts based on layouts and package proposal drawings.

Training and Development: Stay updated with industry trends, new technologies, and best practices related to pharmaceutical manufacturing. Author and update equipment work instructions, preventative maintenance schedules. Train and mentor junior technicians and operators on equipment operations, maintenance, and safety protocols.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities but will provide technical support to the Mechanics and Electricians during the construction, start-up and ongoing production activities for machinery.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering (or related field) with a minimum of 3 to 5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Also essential are direct experience in troubleshooting manufacturing lines; ability to plan and coordinate projects; strong written, verbal communication and presentation skills. Proven experience in project management and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred attributes include working knowledge of applied manufacturing engineering principles; industry experience in food or pharmaceutical and experience working in FDA/cGMP compliance environments. Excellent understanding of regulatory requirements (FDA, cGMP, etc.) and quality systems. A working knowledge of AutoCad is a must and experience with Solidworks is a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to stand, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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