Sr. Automation Engineer – DeltaV

Novartis•Durham, CA

11d•$108,500 - $201,500•Onsite

About The Position

Join Novartis to advance manufacturing automation that helps deliver innovative medicines to patients worldwide. The Sr. Automation Engineer – DeltaV serves as a technical expert supporting and optimizing critical automation systems in a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment. The role leads automation initiatives, improves system reliability and performance, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to enable operational excellence. The position is onsite in Durham, North Carolina; relocation support is not available. The engineer provides DeltaV expertise for GMP manufacturing operations; designs, configures, troubleshoots, and optimizes control strategies and system performance; and supports automation systems throughout their lifecycle, from implementation and upgrades through maintenance and retirement. The role leads projects from concept through commissioning, qualification, and operational handover, and partners with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Validation, and IT. The role also drives continuous improvement, investigates automation deviations, implements corrective actions, and supports CAPA activities. It develops and maintains automation documentation, including specifications, test protocols, and system drawings, and ensures systems meet GMP, FDA, and data integrity requirements. The engineer provides technical mentorship and subject matter expertise for DeltaV and site automation technologies.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, or a related technical field, with 8+ years of experience supporting GMP pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations; or equivalent experience.
Strong hands-on experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining DeltaV DCS automation systems.
Experience supporting SCADA, HMI, PLC, BMS, and manufacturing automation platforms in a regulated environment.
Knowledge of GMP, FDA, and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for manufacturing automation systems.
Experience with automation system validation, qualification, and lifecycle management within GMP operations.
Ability to lead automation projects, execute complex change controls, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience developing automation documentation, technical specifications, and test protocols.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, including experience partnering across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, and IT teams.

Responsibilities

Serve as a DeltaV subject matter expert for automation systems supporting GMP manufacturing operations.
Design, configure, troubleshoot, and optimize DeltaV control strategies and system performance.
Support the automation system lifecycle, including implementation, upgrades, maintenance, and retirement.
Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning, qualification, and operational handover.
Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Validation, and IT teams to deliver automation solutions.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system reliability, efficiency, and product quality.
Investigate automation deviations, implement corrective actions, and support CAPA activities.
Develop and maintain automation documentation, including specifications, test protocols, and system drawings.
Ensure automation systems comply with GMP, FDA, and data integrity requirements.
Provide technical mentorship and subject matter expertise for DeltaV and site automation technologies.