Automation Engineer

Novartis • Durham, CA

21h • Onsite

About The Position

At Novartis, automation is more than technology — it is how we ensure safe, reliable medicines reach patients. In this role, you will take ownership of critical building management and environmental monitoring systems within a new manufacturing facility, helping shape how advanced automation supports quality, compliance, and operational excellence. You will work at the intersection of innovation and impact, partnering with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to design, maintain, and continuously improve systems that enable a compliant and efficient production environment. If you enjoy solving complex problems, influencing how manufacturing systems perform at scale, and seeing the direct results of your expertise in a highly regulated setting, this role offers meaningful responsibility and long-term growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum five years of experience supporting GMP automation systems in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing environments
• Hands-on experience with Distributed Control Systems, including Emerson DeltaV
• Experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Human Machine Interface platforms, including Copadata enon and Rockwell FactoryTalk
• Practical expertise with Programmable Logic Controllers and building systems, including Emerson PACSystems and Allen‑Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix
• Working knowledge of data historians and manufacturing data systems, including OSIsoft PI, and basic Structured Query Language query development
• Demonstrated understanding of system validation, change control, and regulated automated manufacturing environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills when working across engineering, quality, and operations teams

Nice To Haves

• Business Continuity
• Change Control
• Cost Management
• Data Analytics and Digital
• Engineering Technical Expertise
• GDP Knowledge
• gmp knowledge
• HSE Knowledge
• Knowledge Of Relevant Tools And Systems
• Manufacturing Process (Production)
• Operational Excellence
• Quality Compliance
• Resilience and Risk Management
• Total Productive Maintenance

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain building management and environmental monitoring systems supporting a new manufacturing facility
• Design, configure, install, and maintain automation software and associated hardware across GMP and non-GMP systems
• Lead integration of third-party equipment into plant automation and distributed control systems
• Prepare scopes of work and manage automation contractors to meet project timelines and quality expectations
• Develop project objectives aligned with user requirements, business plans, and operational priorities
• Author and maintain system documentation, including user requirements and functional specifications
• Ensure automation systems meet GMP, regulatory, and internal compliance requirements
• Partner with Quality to support a compliant, inspection-ready manufacturing environment
• Troubleshoot and resolve automation-related issues impacting operations and production performance
• Execute change controls and support investigations related to automation system non-conformances

Benefits

• performance-based cash incentive
• eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards
• health, life and disability benefits
• a 401(k) with company contribution and match
• generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees