Automation Engineer II

Kenvue • Fort Washington, WA

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Automation Engineer II works under general supervision to provide technical support for recipe management systems, manufacturing automation platforms, and computerized systems supporting safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations. The role administers, configures, maintains, validates, and continuously improves recipe-driven manufacturing processes and automation applications. It partners with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Validation, Engineering, and Information Technology teams to ensure reliable system operation, accurate recipe execution, and progress toward safety, quality, compliance, productivity, and operational excellence objectives.

The position participates in automation system lifecycle activities, including upgrades, enhancements, troubleshooting, validation, and change control, and supports site automation strategies and digital transformation initiatives. It also contributes to project execution, system governance, user training, audits, and regulatory inspections.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• 2–4 years of hands-on experience in automation roles.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively.
• Basic computer knowledge, including Microsoft Office software such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Nice To Haves

• Proven track record of successfully delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Strong planning, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to address moderately complex business problems and present recommendations effectively.
• Leadership skills to influence peer engineers and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Results-oriented, quick learner who is motivated to take initiative.

Responsibilities

• Administer, configure, maintain, and support recipe management systems and manufacturing automation applications.
• Develop, modify, test, deploy, and maintain manufacturing recipes through approved change control processes.
• Ensure recipe accuracy, consistency, and compliance across manufacturing operations.
• Support recipe version control, security administration, audit trail review, and system governance.
• Monitor recipe execution and automation system performance to identify issues and improvement opportunities.
• Investigate recipe execution failures, automation deviations, alarms, and system performance issues, and implement corrective and preventive actions as required.
• Provide technical support to Manufacturing and other departments for automation, process, and recipe-related issues, including production support, startup activities, troubleshooting, and process investigations.
• Support integration of recipe management and automation systems with manufacturing equipment, MES, batch management systems, historians, PLCs, SCADA systems, and other enterprise applications.
• Support automation system lifecycle management, including upgrades, enhancements, maintenance, obsolescence management, and risk mitigation.
• Assist with investigations, Non-Conformances (NCs), Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), Annual Product Reviews (APRs), and technical assessments related to automation systems and recipe management.
• Support the creation, review, execution, and maintenance of automation and validation documentation, including validation plans, URS, FDS, risk assessments, traceability matrices, test scripts, IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, and validation reports.
• Participate in commissioning, qualification, validation, and startup activities, including FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, and PQ.
• Support review, implementation, and execution of automation-related change controls to ensure compliance with FDA, cGMP, data integrity, and company requirements.
• Participate in system performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives to improve automation reliability, recipe accuracy, operational efficiency, and OEE.
• Troubleshoot automation and process issues using structured methods such as Kepner-Tregoe, DMAIC, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Create, revise, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and technical documentation related to automation and recipe management systems.
• Maintain required training qualifications and comply with applicable cGMP, safety, and company requirements.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Validation, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Information Technology personnel.
• Support automation project execution, including planning, scheduling, issue tracking, risk management, resource coordination, and status reporting.
• Participate in project teams and coordinate activities needed to achieve project objectives and deliverables.
• Assist in developing and maintaining site automation strategies, technology roadmaps, and system lifecycle plans.
• Train end users and system owners on recipe management systems, automation applications, and related procedures.
• Participate in review and approval of CSV, commissioning, and qualification documentation.
• Support internal audits and regulatory inspections as a subject matter resource for assigned automation and recipe management systems.
• Use sound technical judgment to resolve moderately complex issues affecting manufacturing operations, product quality, compliance, and business performance.
• Maintain proficiency in automation technologies, computerized system validation practices, data integrity requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive benefit package.
• Paid company holidays.
• Paid vacation.
• Volunteer time.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Kenvuer Impact Networks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level