Automation Senior Engineer II

About the role

The Automation Engineer supports management and implementation of control systems for equipment in a GMP manufacturing facility. This role supports equipment upgrades, troubleshooting, lifecycle planning, and compliant system operation as well as configuration for network integration and data historian management. The engineer provides day-to-day technical direction to contractors and works closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Validation, and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Support automation upgrades and modifications for data integrity and reliability improvements for manufacturing equipment.
• Configure, troubleshoot, test, and maintain PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and related automation components.
• Maintain OT asset inventories, software versions, patching records, and equipment lifecycle plans.
• Support vulnerability assessments, backup and recovery, change control, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Integrate the equipment systems into the manufacturing network through configuration of interface technologies, such as NATR devices and Kepware.
• Configure and manage the site data historian.
• Prepare and maintain automation documentation, including configuration records, SOPs, work instructions, and test records.
• Coordinate assigned contractor activities and provide technical direction for automation work.
• Escalate technical, quality, compliance, and schedule risks to engineering leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing automation.
• Experience with PLC- and HMI-based control systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with GAMP, 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, validation, change control, and controlled documentation practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Skills

• Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMI applications
• Industrial networking and control-system integration
• Kepware drivers and connectors
• AVEVA PI Historian
• Automation testing, commissioning, and validation documentation
• OT asset management, patching, and software-version control

Pay

Pay Range $124,000 - $186,000. The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous paid time off (including a week‑long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter)
• Educational assistance programs including student loan repayment
• Generous commuting subsidy
• Matching charitable donations
• 401(k)

Schedule

This is an On‑Site designated role requiring five days per week on‑site with ad hoc flexibility; flex status is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.