Associate Director of Automation

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

This role provides expert technical leadership across assigned engineering technology domains, contributing to the development, evaluation, and delivery of advanced technical solutions. The Associate Director will act as a subject matter expert for OT/automation systems or engineering technologies, supporting the execution of complex individual projects and ensuring technical and compliance standards are met. They will lead or oversee the delivery of technical solutions from specification and design through commissioning and stabilization, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners. This position involves translating business needs into technical strategies, influencing design decisions, technology selection, and implementation approaches, and guiding the application of internal and industry standards throughout the project or solution lifecycle. The role also supports capability development by mentoring engineers and sharing expertise, drives technical improvement initiatives by identifying innovations, applying best practices, and supporting standardization, and ensures compliance of personal and team work with safety, health, environment (SHE), and regulatory requirements. Additionally, the Associate Director will energize and empower teams to explore new digital solutions and practices that drive business value. The role may involve line management of a team.

Requirements

Fluent English
Subject Matter Expertise of either SCADA/PLC or DCS to include specification, procurement, installation, start-up, and commissioning.
Bachelor’s degree (equivalent experience of ( 5+) will be considered) in an Engineering related discipline.
10 years of experience in the field.
Excellent communication skills including an ability to engage honestly and influentially with internal and external business leaders and partners.
Experience in one or more of the following: IT and OT architectures for manufacturing environments, Integration with IT Systems, Warehouse Control Systems, AGVs, Robotics, Understanding of OT cybersecurity, Engineering standards development and governance.

Nice To Haves

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing areas including API, Biotechnology, Oral Solid Dosage, Formulation and Fill, Packaging, Medical Devices
Current GMP regulations and an understanding of regulatory agency expectations and current industry practices.
Experience from a different, non-Pharma, regulated industry would also be relevant.

Responsibilities

Provide expert technical leadership across assigned engineering technology domains, contributing to the development, evaluation, and delivery of advanced technical solutions.
Act as a subject matter expert for OT/automation systems or engineering technologies, supporting the execution of complex individual projects and ensuring technical and compliance standards are met.
Lead or oversee the delivery of technical solutions from specification and design through commissioning and stabilization, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners.
Translate business needs into technical strategies, influencing design decisions, technology selection, and implementation approaches.
Guide the application of internal and industry standards (e.g., URS, DQ/FAT/SAT, GMP) throughout the project or solution lifecycle.
Support capability development by mentoring engineers and sharing expertise within and across sites.
Drive technical improvement initiatives by identifying innovations, applying best practices, and supporting standardization across the network.
Ensure compliance of personal and team work with safety, health, environment (SHE), and regulatory requirements, including risk assessments and documentation.
Energize and empower teams to effectively explore new digital solutions and practices that drive business value.
May line manage a team.