Sr. Manager, Automation

About the role

As the Sr. Manager, Automation, you will lead a team of automation and controls engineering leaders responsible for supporting manufacturing operations, capital projects, and digital/automation strategy across the site. This role is highly visible and part of the succession pipeline for future leadership, with a strong focus on automation systems lifecycle management, reliability, and obsolescence mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of ~5 automation/controls engineering managers
• Serve as site SME for automation systems supporting sterile fill/finish (PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI, historians, and integrations)
• Own automation systems lifecycle management, including design, configuration, validation, maintenance, upgrades, and retirement
• Lead site-wide automation obsolescence program, including risk assessments, asset lifecycle tracking, and upgrade planning
• Oversee automation deliverables across lifecycle phases: URS, functional/design specs, FAT/SAT, installation, startup, and validation handoff
• Drive troubleshooting of complex automation issues, root cause analysis, and system reliability improvements
• Support CapEx projects, including new equipment integration, control system design, and platform standardization
• Partner with business development on technical capabilities, automation strategies, and digital readiness for new programs
• Collaborate with process engineering, validation, IT/OT, maintenance, quality, and operations to ensure compliant and reliable systems
• Mentor and develop future leaders in automation and digital manufacturing

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical, or related discipline (highly preferred); Advanced degree preferred
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing with strong focus on automation systems in sterile environments; 5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams, including people leaders
• Knowledge: Proven experience managing automation systems lifecycle (URS, design specs, FAT/SAT, commissioning, validation); Demonstrated experience leading automation obsolescence strategies; Strong experience with PLC/SCADA/DCS platforms in GMP environments; Experience supporting capital projects (CapEx) and system migrations; Exposure to business development technical support preferred
• Skills: Deep expertise in automation systems supporting aseptic processing environments; Strong knowledge of GAMP 5, 21 CFR Part 11, Annex 11, and data integrity principles (ALCOA+); Experience with automation cybersecurity and IT/OT integration; Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis in control systems; Strong cross-functional collaboration; Experience with lifecycle asset management and obsolescence risk mitigation

Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing with a focus on automation systems in sterile environments
• Leadership experience managing engineering teams, including people leaders
• Proven experience managing automation systems lifecycle (design, configuration, validation, maintenance, upgrades, and retirement)
• Demonstrated experience leading automation obsolescence strategies
• Strong experience with PLC/SCADA/DCS platforms in GMP environments
• Experience supporting capital projects (new equipment integration, control system design, platform standardization)
• Exposure to business development technical support
• Deep expertise in automation systems supporting aseptic processing environments
• Strong knowledge of GAMP 5, 21 CFR Part 11, Annex 11, and data integrity principles (ALCOA+)
• Experience with automation cybersecurity and IT/OT integration
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis in control systems
• Strong cross-functional collaboration
• Experience with lifecycle asset management and obsolescence risk mitigation

Skills

• Automation Systems Lifecycle Management
• Automation Obsolescence Strategies
• PLC/SCADA/DCS Platforms in GMP Environments
• Automation Cybersecurity and IT/OT Integration
• Problem-Solving and Root Cause Analysis
• Lifecycle Asset Management and Obsolescence Risk Mitigation

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Flexible work schedule
• Professional development opportunities
• Health and wellness programs

Pay

$XX.XX - $XXXX per year

Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)