Automation Engineer

Company Overview:

Strive Pharmacy is a personalized compounding pharmacy built on a simple conviction: medicine should fit the patient, not the other way around. We started Strive because we believed the pharmaceutical industry was overdue for a more human approach—one that prioritizes individualized care, clinical nuance, and genuine partnership with patients and providers.

Compounding gives us the tools to do that. Every formulation we prepare is built to the specific needs of a specific person, and every interaction we have is guided by that same commitment to personalized care.

We're growing, and we're looking for people who share that conviction. If you're ready to be part of a pharmacy that takes the work seriously and the people even more seriously, we'd like to meet you.

Mission:

Strive exists to disrupt an industry long overdue for a more personal approach to care. We put the human element at the center of everything: every formulation, every patient interaction, every provider partnership. We're not just a compounding pharmacy. We're a team on a mission to change what personalized healthcare looks and feels like.

Location: Alachua FL (onsite Monday - Friday)

Salary: $105,000 - $117,000

Department: Automation / Engineering

Reports To: Director of Facilities & Engineering

Position Summary

The Automation Engineer (BMS) is responsible for the design, implementation, programming, and maintenance of the Building Management System (BMS) and Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical facility. This role ensures that critical HVAC systems, utility plants, and cleanroom environments (temperature, humidity, and differential pressure) are controlled and monitored in strict accordance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements.

Key Responsibilities

System Design & Programming

• Design, program, and commission PLC, DDC, and SCADA-based control logic for facility utilities (Chillers, Boilers, AHUs, and Clean Utilities).
• Manage the BMS/EMS Architecture, ensuring robust communication between field devices (sensors, actuators) and the centralized server.
• Develop and maintain Graphics/HMI screens that provide clear, real-time visualization of facility health for the Facilities team.

2. GMP Compliance & Data Integrity

• Ensure the BMS/EMS remains in a Validated State by strictly adhering to GAMP 5 (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice) guidelines.
• Maintain the system's Audit Trail and user access levels to ensure compliance with 21 CFR Part 11.
• Lead the technical investigation for "Environmental Excursions" (e.g., when a cleanroom goes out of pressure spec), identifying the root cause in the control logic or hardware.

3. Validation & Lifecycle Management

• Author and execute Functional Design Specifications (FDS) and Software Design Specifications (SDS).
• Partner with the Validation department to draft and execute IQ/OQ protocols for software upgrades and new hardware installations.
• Manage the Backup and Disaster Recovery plan for all automation databases.

4. Operational Support & Maintenance

• Provide Tier 2/3 technical support for complex system failures that the maintenance team cannot resolve.
• Manage automation vendors (e.g., Siemens, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, or Schneider Electric) during service visits and system upgrades.
• Perform periodic "Loop Tuning" and sensor calibration verification to ensure system stability and energy efficiency.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 3–5 years in Automation or Controls Engineering specifically within a GMP environment (Pharma/Biotech).
• Technical Knowledge:
  • Expertise in common BMS platforms: Siemens Desigo/Apogee, Honeywell EBI, Johnson Controls Metasys, or Schneider EcoStruxure.
  • Proficiency in communication protocols: BACnet, Modbus, and LonWorks.
  • Strong understanding of HVAC sequences of operation for ISO-classified cleanrooms.
• Skills: Ability to read/interpret electrical schematics and P&IDs; experience with change control management in a quality-driven environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• System Uptime: Maintenance of the EMS/BMS to prevent data loss or monitoring gaps.
• Compliance: Successful completion of periodic system reviews and zero overdue audit trail reviews.
• Project Delivery: Implementation of logic updates or new hardware within defined maintenance windows.

Work Environment:

This position is primarily based in an onsite work environment. The role requires regular periods of sitting, standing, and computer use, with occasional lifting as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Join Us in Making an Impact:

At Strive, the work is real and the impact is direct. Every role here contributes to a patient experience that's more personal, more attentive, and more human than what most people have come to expect from a pharmacy. Apply today and help us raise the bar.

Benefits/ Perks:

Strive Pharmacy offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Employer-paid healthcare coverage, effective the 1st day of the following month of your hire date
• Free Strive compounded medications for employees based on a valid patient-specific prescription from a licensed healthcare provider
• Paid time off
• Sick time
• FSA and HSA options
• Parental leave
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Life insurance
• Vision and dental insurance
• Veterinary insurance

Culture:

Culture isn't an afterthought at Strive. It's something we actively build. At our Gilbert, Arizona location, that looks like Food Truck Fridays and Casual Fridays. Company-wide, we also celebrate throughout the year with holiday potlucks and seasonal gatherings. We're committed to supporting the personal and professional growth of every employee, inside and outside the workplace. 

EEO:

Strive Pharmacy is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer*** Please do not call the pharmacy location with questions about your application or interview. A talent acquisition partner will reach out to you.