Automation Engineer III
The Opportunity
As an Automation Engineer III, you'll play a key role in supporting and enhancing the automated systems that drive our GMP manufacturing operations. Working across manufacturing equipment, utilities, and control systems, you'll contribute to projects from concept through implementation while ensuring reliability, compliance, and operational excellence. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing site where you'll have visibility, influence, and the chance to make a real impact as we scale our capabilities.
This position does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. Applicants must be legally authorised to work in the United States.
What You'll Be Doing
- Plan, implement, and maintain automation systems supporting GMP manufacturing processes and facility utilities.
- Provide technical expertise across: control system design, hardware specification and design, control panel design, alarm management strategies, and instrument start-up, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver automation projects safely, efficiently, and compliantly.
- Support the configuration, administration, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing automation systems.
- Troubleshoot complex automation, instrumentation, and process control issues.
- Participate in an after-hours support rotation to ensure critical manufacturing operations remain uninterrupted.
- Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Validation, and Quality teams to optimise system performance.
- Support investigations and resolution of deviations, Change Controls, and CAPAs.
- Ensure systems meet regulatory and compliance requirements (including 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, GMP, and Good Engineering Practices (GEP)).
- Develop and maintain technical standards, procedures, and best practices.
- Support automation system integration and validation activities, including: Functional and User Requirement Specifications, Hardware and Software Design Specifications, and System Testing and Qualification.
- Develop P&IDs, loop descriptions, and documentation supporting manufacturing processes and equipment.
- Partner with automation vendors, contractors, and technical specialists during project execution.
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of automation experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
- 5+ years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences manufacturing.
- Strong understanding of GMP regulations and Good Engineering Practice (GEP).
- Facility start-up, commissioning, and qualification activities.
- Design, programming, or qualification of bioreactor and chromatography skid recipes.
- Biopharmaceutical manufacturing automation systems.
Why Join OXB?
- Make an Impact — Help deliver advanced therapies that have the potential to transform patients' lives globally.
- Be Part of Something Growing — Join a rapidly expanding organisation and play a key role in the development of our Durham manufacturing site.
- Grow Your Career — Access opportunities for professional development, technical growth, and career progression.
- Enjoy Great Benefits — Competitive compensation and benefits package; comprehensive wellbeing programmes supporting physical and mental health; learning and development opportunities; inclusive, collaborative, and supportive culture; state-of-the-art laboratories and manufacturing facilities; values-driven organisation built on being Responsible, Responsive, Resilient, and Respectful.
About OXB
OXB is a quality- and innovation-led viral vector CDMO dedicated to helping our clients bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide. As one of the pioneers in cell and gene therapy, we offer deep expertise across lentiviral vectors, AAV vectors, and adenoviral vectors. From early-stage development through commercial manufacturing, we partner with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the delivery of breakthrough therapies.