Controls Strategy Lead (SCADA/Ignition)

MSD • Rahway, NJ

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Within Development Sciences and Clinical Supply, the Digital Technologies team is building connected, data-rich laboratory environments where hardware, software, and AI-driven tools accelerate pharmaceutical development. The Controls Strategy Lead serves as a technical leader for laboratory operations technology and orchestration platforms across the organization. The role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic leadership to define architecture, standards, roadmaps, and adoption strategies for laboratory SCADA and orchestration platforms, while designing and implementing high-impact solutions. The position works with laboratory automation, scientific organizations, facilities, IT, engineering, digital product teams, and external technology partners to develop a scalable, sustainable, enterprise-aligned ecosystem.

The role shapes platform strategy and delivers complex Ignition, automation, and integration solutions. It establishes reusable architectures, development practices, governance, and validation approaches that connect instruments, robotics, process equipment, data platforms, and enterprise systems. It also evaluates emerging capabilities such as AI, advanced analytics, digital twins, and autonomous laboratories, and builds organizational technical depth through coaching, mentoring, training, and technical communities. The position is based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with a hybrid work arrangement and 10% travel. Domestic relocation is available, and visa sponsorship is offered.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field, with at least 6 years of relevant experience; or a master's degree in one of these fields with at least 8 years; or a bachelor's degree with at least 10 years.
• Significant experience designing and deploying industrial or laboratory SCADA, orchestration, or operations technology solutions.
• Demonstrated expertise with Ignition, DeltaV, WinCC OA, or similar industrial automation platforms.
• Ability to lead technical strategy while remaining an active individual contributor.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex automation, integration, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience developing software using modern engineering practices, including version control, testing, CI/CD, and maintainable software architectures.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical concepts to scientific and leadership audiences.
• Demonstrated experience coaching, mentoring, and developing talent.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of systems integration, industrial networking, OT/IT convergence, cybersecurity, and platform architecture.
• Deep expertise with Ignition architectures, gateway deployment strategies, module development, and enterprise-scale implementations.
• Experience developing laboratory digital transformation strategies.
• Experience with data historians, MES, LIMS, ELN, enterprise data platforms, and cloud-based analytics solutions.
• Experience integrating laboratory robotics, process analytical technology (PAT), and advanced instrumentation platforms.
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in laboratory operations and scientific workflows.
• Experience building reusable software frameworks, development standards, or enterprise technology platforms.
• Understanding of biologics, vaccine, sterile, small molecule, or analytical development environments.
• Experience leading communities of practice, technical academies, or organizational training programs.
• Demonstrated ability to identify future technology needs and develop long-term platform roadmaps.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, quality, and compliance considerations relevant to pharmaceutical development environments.
• Ability to influence technical direction across multiple organizations without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Shape the vision, roadmap, architecture, standards, and investment priorities for scalable SCADA and orchestration capabilities across Development Sciences and Clinical Supply.
• Partner with scientific, automation, digital, IT, and engineering leaders on laboratory technology strategy.
• Design, develop, and deploy complex Ignition, automation, and integration solutions while providing technical leadership on critical programs and business challenges.
• Establish reusable architectures, development patterns, governance, validation approaches, and implementation practices connecting instrumentation, robotics, process equipment, data platforms, and enterprise systems.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and translate opportunities in AI, advanced analytics, digital twins, and autonomous laboratories into practical platform capabilities.
• Coach, mentor, and educate laboratory automation, software, and digital engineering colleagues through project engagement, mentorship, training, technical forums, and communities of practice.
• Communicate complex technical concepts, build alignment across teams and sites, and guide technology selection, resource prioritization, and adoption of common platform approaches.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and family.
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, compassionate days, and sick days.
• Annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

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