Director, Automation
BioSpace, North Chicago, IL, United States
Director of Automation – Role Summary
The Director of Automation provides owner‑side leadership for automation architecture, process control systems, and digital infrastructure supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing capital projects of total value > $2B. The role serves as the Design Authority for automation and digital systems, ensuring manufacturing control systems, data infrastructure, and digital platforms are designed to meet operational, regulatory, and data integrity requirements. This position ensures effective integration of process automation, facility control systems, and enterprise digital platforms supporting modern pharmaceutical manufacturing. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that the automation systems are designed, integrated, and implemented in alignment with corporate engineering standards, regulatory expectations, and operational requirements. The role provides technical oversight of specialist contractor engineering activities and ensures that core automation engineering deliverables meet the technical, safety, and operational standards required for pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. It also supports the integration of process design with utilities, automation, commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness activities. The role supports integration of technology with AI and digital innovation teams such as the Factory of the Future. The incumbent will report to the Director of Engineering in the Operations Transformation organization.
Responsibilities
Serve as the owner’s senior automation and digital systems leader.
Define the automation architecture and digital strategy for the project.
Lead the owner’s automation engineering team.
Oversee design and implementation of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), PLC‑based equipment control systems, Batch automation systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Process control strategies.
Oversee design and implementation of environmental monitoring systems and Building automation systems.
Ensure automation supports reliable manufacturing operations and regulatory compliance.
Ensure compliance with data integrity and regulatory requirements.
Oversee development of control narratives and cause‑and‑effect diagrams.
Ensure integration between automation systems, equipment vendors, and process control systems.
Ensure automation supports process control, safety interlocks, and operational efficiency.
Ensure automation systems comply with corporate cybersecurity and GxP data integrity requirements.
Implement secure and reliable automation architectures.
Support automation system testing and commissioning, including system integration testing and operational readiness; ensure automation systems support CQV activities.
Drive transformation across all phases of the projects to deliver best‑in‑class technology, improve execution efficiency to reduce the overall project line‑up by up to 20% from the baseline, and introduce AI and digitalization in various aspects of project management and development.
Monitor and control the cost and schedule of automation vendor‑driven programs, including hardware and software, to ensure adherence to project budgets and timelines.
Qualifications
BS in Engineering or equivalent technical degree; Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.
15+ years of experience as a process lead across multiple platforms and industries, with a substantial portion in biopharmaceuticals.
Proven leadership experience in automation projects supporting mega‑capital projects ($500M–$1B+).
Deep knowledge of automation systems, codes, and architecture.
Proven inclusive management and leadership capabilities of large cross‑functional teams and the ability to effectively interact and communicate with senior leadership, executives, strategic partners, and authorities.
Demonstrated experience managing engineering contractors and global equipment vendors.
Results‑oriented leadership with outstanding negotiation skills and risk‑based decision making.
Ability to mentor and develop the next generation of leaders.
Travel within the U.S. and outside the U.S. for reviews, workshops, and vendor facility visits will be required.
Key Stakeholders ME&C, PDS&T, R&D, Procurement, Global Engineering, EHS, Facilities, AI and Digital Transformation.
Benefits
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and a 401(k) to eligible employees.
This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only – to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Serve as the owner’s senior automation and digital systems leader.
Define the automation architecture and digital strategy for the project.
Lead the owner’s automation engineering team.
Oversee design and implementation of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), PLC‑based equipment control systems, Batch automation systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Process control strategies.
Oversee design and implementation of environmental monitoring systems and Building automation systems.
Ensure automation supports reliable manufacturing operations and regulatory compliance.
Ensure compliance with data integrity and regulatory requirements.
Oversee development of control narratives and cause‑and‑effect diagrams.
Ensure integration between automation systems, equipment vendors, and process control systems.
Ensure automation supports process control, safety interlocks, and operational efficiency.
Ensure automation systems comply with corporate cybersecurity and GxP data integrity requirements.
Implement secure and reliable automation architectures.
Support automation system testing and commissioning, including system integration testing and operational readiness; ensure automation systems support CQV activities.
Drive transformation across all phases of the projects to deliver best‑in‑class technology, improve execution efficiency to reduce the overall project line‑up by up to 20% from the baseline, and introduce AI and digitalization in various aspects of project management and development.
Monitor and control the cost and schedule of automation vendor‑driven programs, including hardware and software, to ensure adherence to project budgets and timelines.
Qualifications
BS in Engineering or equivalent technical degree; Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.
15+ years of experience as a process lead across multiple platforms and industries, with a substantial portion in biopharmaceuticals.
Proven leadership experience in automation projects supporting mega‑capital projects ($500M–$1B+).
Deep knowledge of automation systems, codes, and architecture.
Proven inclusive management and leadership capabilities of large cross‑functional teams and the ability to effectively interact and communicate with senior leadership, executives, strategic partners, and authorities.
Demonstrated experience managing engineering contractors and global equipment vendors.
Results‑oriented leadership with outstanding negotiation skills and risk‑based decision making.
Ability to mentor and develop the next generation of leaders.
Travel within the U.S. and outside the U.S. for reviews, workshops, and vendor facility visits will be required.
Key Stakeholders ME&C, PDS&T, R&D, Procurement, Global Engineering, EHS, Facilities, AI and Digital Transformation.
Benefits
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and a 401(k) to eligible employees.
This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only – to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
#J-18808-Ljbffr