Automation Engineer

Lonza•Walkersville, MD

23h•$100,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

Automation Engineer Location: This position is based in our Walkersville, MD office, the typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM EST. What you will get: The full-time base annual salary for this remote position is expected to range between $100,000 to $160,000. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer: Performance-related bonus. Medical, dental and vision insurance. 401(k) matching plan. Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance. Employee assistance programs. Paid time off (PTO). Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge. What you will do: Provide hands-on support for site Automation and Operational Technology (OT) systems used in manufacturing, utilities, and laboratory environments, including PLCs, SCADA, BAS/EMS, and MES platforms. Assist senior engineers with troubleshooting, configuration, and maintenance to ensure system reliability, data integrity, and compliance in a regulated (GMP) setting. Monitor automation and control systems for alarms, performance issues, and deviations; perform routine checks and basic corrective actions. Support day-to-day operation of automation infrastructure, including user management, system backups, patching, and security updates. Assist with small-scale system changes, upgrades, and validation testing under supervision, following established change control procedures. Participate in installation, commissioning, and qualification activities for new or upgraded equipment. Help investigate automation or OT system issues, gather data, and document findings under guidance from senior team members. Maintain accurate system documentation, inventories, and records in alignment with site quality and compliance requirements. Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation and providing basic technical information. Collaborate with cross-functional partners in Engineering, IT, Quality, and Manufacturing to resolve issues and improve system performance. Contribute to cybersecurity and data integrity programs by applying basic protection measures and supporting periodic updates. Provide end-user assistance and informal training to operations and maintenance personnel on proper system use and troubleshooting basics. Demonstrate initiative in developing technical knowledge and advancing automation skills through on-the-job learning and mentorship. What we are looking for: Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. Prior experience supporting automation, OT, IT, or controls systems in pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing environments. Awareness of network fundamentals including VLANs, switches, and firewalls. Strong hands-on experience working directly with automation and control systems in a production setting. Deep technical expertise with Rockwell-based systems, Environmental Monitoring Systems (EMS) and/or Building Automation Systems (BAS), and/or Emerson DeltaV, Ignition, or Niagara. Experience supporting Plant Monitoring Systems (PMS) and managing integrated or managed automation systems. Ability to manage assigned tasks independently with supervision and to seek guidance when needed Exposure to cybersecurity practices—account management, patching, endpoint protection, and secure access. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with operations, engineering, contractors, and external consultants. Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, regulated environment. Foundational knowledge of regulated manufacturing concepts such as GMP, 21 CFR Part 11, or Annex 11. Experience assisting with network configuration, system maintenance, or cybersecurity controls is beneficial but not required. Certifications such as ISA/IEC 62443, CompTIA Security+, or vendor-specific credentials are a plus. Experience with MES is a plus but not a primary requirement. Experience with HVAC controls is a plus but not a primary requirement. About Lonza At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of. Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board. Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
Prior experience supporting automation, OT, IT, or controls systems in pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing environments.
Awareness of network fundamentals including VLANs, switches, and firewalls.
Strong hands-on experience working directly with automation and control systems in a production setting.
Deep technical expertise with Rockwell-based systems, Environmental Monitoring Systems (EMS) and/or Building Automation Systems (BAS), and/or Emerson DeltaV, Ignition, or Niagara.
Experience supporting Plant Monitoring Systems (PMS) and managing integrated or managed automation systems.
Ability to manage assigned tasks independently with supervision and to seek guidance when needed
Exposure to cybersecurity practices—account management, patching, endpoint protection, and secure access.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with operations, engineering, contractors, and external consultants.
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
Foundational knowledge of regulated manufacturing concepts such as GMP, 21 CFR Part 11, or Annex 11.

Nice To Haves

Experience assisting with network configuration, system maintenance, or cybersecurity controls is beneficial but not required.
Certifications such as ISA/IEC 62443, CompTIA Security+, or vendor-specific credentials are a plus.
Experience with MES is a plus but not a primary requirement.
Experience with HVAC controls is a plus but not a primary requirement.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on support for site Automation and Operational Technology (OT) systems used in manufacturing, utilities, and laboratory environments, including PLCs, SCADA, BAS/EMS, and MES platforms.
Assist senior engineers with troubleshooting, configuration, and maintenance to ensure system reliability, data integrity, and compliance in a regulated (GMP) setting.
Monitor automation and control systems for alarms, performance issues, and deviations; perform routine checks and basic corrective actions.
Support day-to-day operation of automation infrastructure, including user management, system backups, patching, and security updates.
Assist with small-scale system changes, upgrades, and validation testing under supervision, following established change control procedures.
Participate in installation, commissioning, and qualification activities for new or upgraded equipment.
Help investigate automation or OT system issues, gather data, and document findings under guidance from senior team members.
Maintain accurate system documentation, inventories, and records in alignment with site quality and compliance requirements.
Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation and providing basic technical information.
Collaborate with cross-functional partners in Engineering, IT, Quality, and Manufacturing to resolve issues and improve system performance.
Contribute to cybersecurity and data integrity programs by applying basic protection measures and supporting periodic updates.
Provide end-user assistance and informal training to operations and maintenance personnel on proper system use and troubleshooting basics.
Demonstrate initiative in developing technical knowledge and advancing automation skills through on-the-job learning and mentorship.