Senior Automation Engineer

Novartis • Durham, NC

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Automation Engineer reports to the Site ITOT Head and is responsible for providing automation design team leadership and serving as a technical subject matter expert for a Novartis gene therapy manufacturing facility. This includes responsibilities for maintaining, troubleshooting, and modifying the GMP and non-GMP control systems. Systems include plant wide DCS (DeltaV), BMS (Rockwell SCADA) and 3rd party local control systems. Location: This position will be located in Durham, NC and will be an onsite role. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 8 years work experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical based GMP manufacturing operations, or equivalent work experience (12 years) in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical based GMP manufacturing operations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated technical writing skills.
• Experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining site DCS systems, preferably DeltaV.
• Experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining site SCADA/HMI systems, preferably Rockwell FactoryTalk View SE.
• Experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining site PLC/BMS systems, preferably Allen Bradley CompacLogix/ControlLogix.
• Experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining site data historian, preferably OSI PI.
• Experience configuring and maintaining Statistical Analysis packages, preferably Statistica.
• Experience configuring and maintaining MES, preferably OpsTrakker.
• Experience in development and execution of system level validation testing including providing guidance on qualification plans in conjunction with C&Q department.
• Proven experience applying S88 in an automated environment and development of control system standards aligning with S88 methodology.
• Experience in field wiring practices and panel design, experience with troubleshooting and start-up of control systems, and experience with instrumentation.
• Experience in using industrial communication protocols such as MODBUS, Ethernet IP, etc.
• Experience writing and executing complex change controls.
• Able to develop MS SQL queries and utilize queries to help streamline periodic reviews and other automation tasks.
• In-depth knowledge of FDA regulations particularly 21 CFR part 11 and GMP systems.
• Applied knowledge of Quality by Design, six-sigma, and operational excellence tools in creating efficient and high quality processes and end products.
• Experience managing 3rd parties (both in-sourcing and outsourcing).
• Strong project management skill set with extensive experience in strategic / tactical planning, demonstrated ability to perform long-term project planning.
• Ability to prepare contingency plans and logically work through complex issues in a pressure filled atmosphere.
• Provide technical support on all manufacturing issues when driving towards issue resolution.
• Up to 10% travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide design, configuration, installation, and maintenance of automation software and associated hardware; including interacting with other teams as necessary.
• Provide oversight or participation on automation aspects of future projects including integration of 3rd party equipment to the plant DCS and BMS systems, data concentration, batch reporting, and data retention.
• Prepare scopes of work for large projects and manage automation contractors as required to complete required work within project timelines.
• Develop project objectives working with user requirements and business plans.
• Determine equipment or system specifications and most cost-effective technology to be implemented.
• Lead discussions with internal business partners on priorities, timelines and transparent sharing of information.
• Establish equipment specifications in standard documentation – User Requirements (URS), Functional Specification (FS) and Detail Design Specifications (DDS/HDS/SDS).
• Take programs from concept thru execution while managing all stages in the process utilizing a strong set of project management tools.
• Maintain procedures to meet GMP requirements, CFR’s and internal company policies.
• Participate and/or lead new product implementation processes to ensure smooth transition from process development into GMP manufacturing.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Quality to ensure a quality and compliant manufacturing environment.
• Problem solve any technical related issues impacting production.
• Support 24x7 site-based operations including rotating on-call responsibilities.
• Create and update procedures to drive operational efficiency and compliance.
• Implement and revise SOPs to conform with standards and policies.
• Deploy, maintain, and upgrade manufacturing applications.
• Perform investigations of non-conformances related to automation systems.
• Analyze and interpret data, and make sound technical recommendations on continuous improvements and non-conformance remediations.
• Execute change controls to update and upgrade automation systems and equipment.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
• US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits.
• In addition, employees are eligible for a 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