Automation Engineering Team Lead

Pfizer • Rocky Mount, NC

1d • $139,100 - $231,900 • Onsite

About The Position

The Automation Engineering Team Lead is a key member of the Site Digital and Automation Leadership Team and leads the Operations Services function. Reporting to the Site Digital and Automation Lead, the role delivers and enhances operational support and provides leadership oversight across site digital and automation activities.

The role manages support for 24/7 plant operations, including automation system performance, project execution, and new product introductions. It promotes collaboration among site operational teams, core Digital & Automation teams, and above-site partners. The position is accountable for safe, compliant, and reliable automation systems aligned with GMP, data integrity, and cybersecurity requirements.

The Team Lead manages and develops site colleagues and contract resources, oversees automation operations and lifecycle support, and directs incident response, infrastructure strategy, capital planning, and continuous improvement. The position is on-premise. The last date to apply is October 21, 2026. The annual base salary range is $139,100 to $231,900, with eligibility for a performance-plan bonus targeted at 17.5% of base salary and a share-based long-term incentive program. Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and eligibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 6 years of experience; or master’s degree and at least 5 years of experience; or PhD and at least 1 year of experience.
• Degree in engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in Digital, Automation, IT systems, or related technical environments, including experience in regulated manufacturing.
• Experience leading and developing technical teams, including people management within a matrix team structure.
• Experience managing technical projects or programs in operational environments.
• Knowledge of delivery frameworks such as Agile, SDLC, or project/program management.
• Knowledge of regulated environments and compliance requirements, including GMP, change management, and lifecycle governance.
• Ability to make decisions, work independently, and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Expert knowledge of relevant automation systems, such as DeltaV DCS, PLCs, and PC-based platforms.
• Strong understanding of GMP, regulatory expectations, and data integrity principles in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including assessing impact, troubleshooting, and escalating appropriately.
• Ability to follow formal change control and documentation practices in regulated and validated environments.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management and influencing skills across cross-functional teams.
• Experience leading technical automation programs and complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated breadth of leadership experience, including influencing peers, coaching and developing others, and guiding colleagues’ work to achieve meaningful outcomes and business impact.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant certifications, such as Lean/Six Sigma, ITIL, Agile, or technical certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Operations Services function and manage the team’s work plans.
• Provide technical expertise in automation control system design and lifecycle management.
• Drive continuous improvement, support other teams, and help ensure uptime, compliance, and data integrity.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations partners for run-state digital and automation systems.
• Ensure an appropriate on-call and out-of-hours support model for 24/7 operations.
• Support new product introduction projects and new equipment introduction.
• Provide operational support and ownership for control systems, hardware, instrumentation, and PLC environments.
• Ensure proactive maintenance strategies, plans, and execution.
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance and support audit and inspection readiness.
• Plan for system obsolescence, patching, and upgrades.
• Manage automation and digital system incident response within agreed SLAs, including triage, escalation, coordination, and stakeholder communication.
• Collaborate with network support teams and the Site Digital and Automation Lead on crisis response, recovery, and business continuity.
• Drive control systems strategies for process optimization, system integration, and modernization.
• Oversee technical support contracts for automated systems.
• Align site systems with architecture standards, cybersecurity policies, and network segmentation requirements.
• Own the site automation roadmap and capital planning, contribute to global automation topics, and provide strategic direction in SME forums.
• Deliver automation systems continuous improvement initiatives using Six Sigma methodologies and replicate best practices across the site and network.
• Ensure new equipment and upgrades are ready for operations as projects transition to business-as-usual support.
• Oversee lifecycle documentation, project specifications, contracts, purchases, and installations within budget.
• Manage changes and follow automation standards for software and hardware design.
• Coach and mentor technical teams and support training.
• Lead, coach, and develop site colleagues and contract resources supporting digital and automation activities.
• Set expectations for conduct, standards, responsiveness, documentation quality, and delivery of responsibilities.
• Conduct performance reviews and support career growth and capability development.
• Foster ownership, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with peer leads and network partners as a member of the site Digital & Automation leadership community.
• Ensure appropriate resourcing, succession planning, and capability building aligned to future needs.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer matching contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid vacation, holiday, and personal days.
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave.
• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
• Potential relocation assistance based on business needs and eligibility.
• Eligibility to participate in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan, with a bonus target of 17.5% of base salary.
• Eligibility to participate in a share-based long-term incentive program. The posting does not specify the award amount.

What This Job Offers

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