Associate Principal Automation Engineer

About the role

The Associate Principal Automation Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, integration, and maintenance of automation systems across manufacturing operations. This role involves leading small to medium-sized automation projects, providing technical support, and system troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Develops moderate to complex control configuration or programming in accordance with design documents to meet functional requirements.
• Acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Automation Applications, leading the design and deployment of automated visual systems, aggregation, and other track and trace systems on packaging and manufacturing lines.
• Integrates vision inspection technologies (cameras, lighting, optics) with track and trace hardware (printers, scanners) to form a cohesive quality and identification system.
• Ensures seamless data flow and integration from vision and track-and-trace systems to control systems (PLCs, printers, scanners) and enterprise-level software (ERP or MES).
• Led the development and execution of OT Systems lifecycle deliverables, including validation activities and associated documentation like System Functional and Design Specifications.
• Evaluates and implements new tools for OT Systems administration and maintenance, such as operating system (OS) and antivirus updates, user account management, and critical data backup.
• Establishes project management techniques to monitor, report on, and control automation projects according to size and criticality (small to medium projects). Supports capital projects when automation expertise is required.
• Covers supply chain and operations to perform or support maintenance and other system changes during off-peak hours, which may require overtime, overnight, or weekend work. Conforms to EHS management system requirements and compliance obligations, promotes continuous improvement, and considers EHS aspects during the design and change process.
• Provides training for OT Systems Users and Engineers in new automation technologies and process control applications.
• Diagnoses and troubleshoots OT System hardware, software, and networking issues, replace defective components as needed. Responsible for implementing and validating OT systems upgrades and data migrations for DCS, PLCs, SCADA, and Data Historian systems. Conforms to EHS management system requirements and compliance obligations, promote continuous improvement, and consider EHS aspects during the design and change process. Complies with all EHS procedures and policies including incident reporting.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline with a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience required. Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline with a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience.
• Working experience administering and/or configuring of Distributed Control Systems (DCS) such as Emerson DeltaV, Foxboro I/A.
• Working experience with SCADA and PLCs (such as Allen-Bradley ControlLogix), programming in ladder logic and instructional texts.
• Experience with commissioning and qualification activities, including computerized systems validation.
• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing processes, including operational best practices and regulatory expectations.
• Industry experience exposure to FDA, GMP, 21CFR11, Data Integrity, Safety and Environmental legislation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is highly desired.
• (6) years of experience with Automation Equipment specifically in SCADA and PLC programming in ladder logic and instructional texts is highly desired.
• Experience with HMI graphics development and management is desired.
• Experience administering and/or configuring a data historian system is desired.

Benefits

AbbVie offers a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

Pay

$96,500 - $183,500 USD

Schedule

This role is exclusively performed at a site or office and onsite presence is required. Employees who are site/office-based and can occasionally perform their role virtually work both in the office and remotely, following the policies and regulations in place at their location. US Employees must be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Three days in the office is the minimum; some individuals or teams may require more in-office days due to meetings, business/project needs or their role.