What are the responsibilities and job description for the Utilities Automation Lead position at Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom?
Title: Utilities Automation Lead
Location: Richmond, VA (this role will start remote, then require being onsite as the site progresses)
Type: 3 year Contract (with potential to convert)
Hourly Pay: $60-$100 per hour, based on level and experience
Benefits: Enhanced Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), Paid Holidays, PTO
Are you ready for a career-defining challenge at the forefront of biopharmaceutical manufacturing? We’re seeking a Utilities Automation Lead to join the core project team supporting a major, next-generation biologics and bioconjugation facility in the Richmond, VA area.
Key Responsibilities
As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.
Why Kelly® Engineering?
Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.
About Kelly
Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.
Location: Richmond, VA (this role will start remote, then require being onsite as the site progresses)
Type: 3 year Contract (with potential to convert)
Hourly Pay: $60-$100 per hour, based on level and experience
Benefits: Enhanced Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), Paid Holidays, PTO
Are you ready for a career-defining challenge at the forefront of biopharmaceutical manufacturing? We’re seeking a Utilities Automation Lead to join the core project team supporting a major, next-generation biologics and bioconjugation facility in the Richmond, VA area.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the technical lead for automation of all building utilities, including clean utilities (WFI, clean steam, process gases, industrial gases, HVAC, and water systems).
- Oversee automation strategies for utility systems leveraging DeltaV and Rockwell platforms, supporting both drug substance and drug product suites.
- Review P&IDs, block flow diagrams, instrumentation lists, and prepare/approve functional and design specifications for utility equipment.
- Collaborate with equipment vendors and system integrators on code review, documentation, and commissioning/qualification activities—across both custom (stick-built) and packaged solutions.
- Act as the primary interface for cross-system integration and technical troubleshooting, supporting successful handover through the project lifecycle.
- Engage regularly with stakeholders, process leads, and area leads to align on schedules, priorities, scope, and technical queries.
- Hands-on experience with utilities automation (DeltaV, Rockwell, PLC/DCS) in GMP-regulated biopharma or pharmaceutical facilities.
- Strong knowledge of clean utility systems—such as WFI (water for injection), clean steam, process gases, and plant-wide utility integration.
- Demonstrated history of delivering automation solutions for both drug substance (active ingredient/API) and drug product (formulation/fill-finish) environments.
- Experience overseeing vendor and system integrator deliverables, from design through FAT/SAT and qualification.
- Engineering and technical documentation skills—able to manage specs, test plans, and validation protocols in a regulated environment.
- Ability to operate in a high-profile, complex greenfield project involving multiple stakeholders and evolving requirements.
- This position begins remotely, with regular site visits as construction progresses, and will ultimately transition onsite once the facility is operational.
- Candidates must have a strong biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing background and an interest in joining an innovative, large-scale project team.
- Competitive compensation offered.
As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.
Why Kelly® Engineering?
Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.
About Kelly
Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.
Salary : $60 - $100