Sr. Manager, Automation

Work Schedule: Standard (Mon‑Fri). Environmental Conditions: Office.

About the Business

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Pharma Services Group (PSG) is a global leader providing integrated drug development and manufacturing solutions to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The Greenville, North Carolina site specializes in sterile and oral solid dose (OSD) manufacturing, supported by advanced technologies and a highly collaborative team environment.

Role Overview

The Sr. Manager, Automation leads a team of automation and controls engineering leaders responsible for supporting manufacturing operations, capital projects, and the site’s digital/automation strategy. This highly visible role is part of the succession pipeline for future leadership and focuses on automation systems lifecycle management, reliability, and obsolescence mitigation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of approximately five automation/controls engineering managers.
• Serve as the site subject‑matter expert 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 the site‑wide automation obsolescence program, conducting risk assessments, tracking asset lifecycles, and planning upgrades.
• Oversee automation deliverables across lifecycle phases: URS, functional/design specifications, FAT/SAT, installation, startup, and validation handoff.
• Drive troubleshooting of complex automation issues, perform root‑cause analysis, and implement 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical, or a related discipline (highly preferred); advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing with a strong focus on automation systems in sterile environments.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams, including people leaders.
• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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 skills in control systems.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with technical expertise.
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration abilities.
• Experience with lifecycle asset management and obsolescence risk mitigation.
• Competencies: Leadership, Technical Expertise, Automation Strategy, Lifecycle Management, Continuous Improvement, Talent Development, Customer Focus.