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Principal Controls Engineer, Operational Technology

United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics

IT
North Carolina, USA · Durham, NC, USA
Posted on Dec 5, 2025

California, US residents click here.

The job details are as follows:

Who We Are

We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs.

United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR) seeks to travel down the corridors of indifference to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. We were founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter’s pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Today, we have six FDA-approved therapies that treat PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline seeks to develop additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and many others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available to address the vast need. For this reason, we are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers available for transplant. We believe an unlimited supply of tolerable, transplantable organs will eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases for which transplant is not currently an option.

Who You Are

You're a well-rounded expert in controls engineering and automation with an eye towards the future. We're counting on you to help guide our Operational Technology teams strategy as we expand operations and eventually look to explore new technologies including the expanded use of Machine Learning and Generative AI in support of our packaging, manufacturing and building automation needs. The Principal Controls Engineer will provide expert knowledge, guidance, and leadership in the design, implementation, and support of complex distributed control systems, manufacturing and packaging automation systems, and environmental monitoring systems including Schneider EcoStruxure, AVEVA (WW) Archestra, Delta V, and Elpro in a regulated, validated environment.

  • Provide leadership and guidance to the Operational Technology Automation team
  • Participate in and lead projects as a subject matter expert in automation systems for upgrades and/or new implementations. Provide expert support of distributed control systems, manufacturing and packaging automation systems, and environmental monitoring systems.
  • Troubleshoot and maintain PLCs, HMIs and field devices under strict change control. Perform preventative maintenance procedures on systems and/or equipment as required. Perform network troubleshooting, database troubleshooting, and code troubleshooting and revisions.
  • Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, information technology, and validation teams on system configuration, network architecture, software requirements, graphics, programming, and sequence of operations
  • Review automation system specifications, programming standards and implementation plans. Verify standards are met; ensure GAMP/cGxP procedures and testing are followed.


For this role you will need

Minimum Requirements

  • Associate Degree in information technology or engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in information technology or engineering
  • 12+ years of automation experience including PLC programming and connectivity, Industrial Networking and Schneider EcoStruxure, Wonderware Archestra, Delta V, and Elpro Environmental Monitoring with an Associate's Degree or 10+ years of automation experience including PLC programming and connectivity, Industrial Networking and Schneider EcoStruxure, Wonderware Archestra, Delta V, and Elpro Environmental Monitoring with a Bachelor's Degree
  • Prior experience working in an FDA regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
  • Prior experience working on construction projects
  • Organizational skills including, but not limited to, the ability to handle multiple demands and assignments, the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and efficiently, and the ability to effectively manage resource procurement and utilization
  • Superior database maintenance / development experience
  • Computer hardware / software validation and change control experience
  • PLC programming and connectivity
  • Industrial Networking
  • Schneider EcoStruxure, AVEVA (WW) Archestra, and Delta V
  • Experience working in small, fast paced project teams; ability to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

  • 2+ years of supervisory experience
  • Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)-PMI

Job Location

United Therapeutics requires this candidate to be on-site at our Durham, North Carolina location 100% of the time. Approximately 15% travel is expected for this position.

At United Therapeutics, our mission and vision are one. We use our enthusiasm, creativity, and persistence to innovate for the unmet medical needs of our patients and to benefit our other stakeholders. We are bold and unconventional. We have fun, we do good.

Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities

United Therapeutics Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.