Associate Director, Instrumentation
AbbVie
August 14, 2026
On-site
North Chicago, IL
$141,500 - $268,500 USD yearly
Operations
Purpose:
The Associate Director, Instrumentation is the technical authority and SME for field instrumentation and control systems supporting large-scale biopharmaceutical capital projects. Establish engineering standards, lead instrumentation design strategies, ensure compliant implementation, and oversee commissioning and startup activities across major GMP manufacturing facilities and utility systems. Partner with internal engineering, automation, operations, quality, validation, and external EPCM firms; support AI/digital innovation (Factory of the Future). Reports to Senior Director, Engineering.
Responsibilities:
- Lead owner’s instrumentation engineering team and design authority for field instrumentation/control devices; provide contractor oversight.
- Establish instrumentation engineering standards and execution strategies; ensure consistent instrumentation architecture globally.
- Lead instrumentation selection/specification/integration and lifecycle management for strategic capital projects.
- Review/approve instrumentation deliverables (e.g., datasheets, indexes, I/O lists, loop drawings, cause/effect, control philosophy narrative, P&IDs, network architecture, panel/cabling/support specs, shielding/ATEX, valve sizing/calculations, data sheets).
- Support design reviews/HAZOP/constructability/FAT-SAT and operational readiness; plan/budget/negotiation/procurement for instrumentation packages.
- Review vendor submittals for process, automation, cybersecurity, and GMP alignment.
- Partner with automation/process control for integration (PLC/DCS/SCADA to MES); define control/alarm/data integrity strategies; align devices/networks to digitalization.
- Lead commissioning strategy and execution; develop/review commissioning plans/test scripts/turnover/startup; coordinate with CQV.
- Ensure GMP/ISA/IEC/NEMA and engineering-standard compliant specification, installation, calibration, testing, documentation; troubleshoot startup/operational instrumentation/control issues.
Qualifications:
- BS in engineering (Master’s preferred).
- 12+ years in field instrumentation/controls in process industry.
- Experience supporting large capital projects ($500MM–$1B+).
- Deep expertise in instruments, control devices, transmitters, communication protocols, analyzers.
- Experience managing engineering contractors and global equipment vendors.
- Results-oriented leadership, negotiation, and risk-based decision making; mentor next-generation leaders.
- Travel within the US and outside the US for reviews/workshops/visits to vendor facilities.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Application instructions:
- US & Puerto Rico only: reasonable accommodations information via abbvie.com.
The Associate Director, Instrumentation is the technical authority and SME for field instrumentation and control systems supporting large-scale biopharmaceutical capital projects. Establish engineering standards, lead instrumentation design strategies, ensure compliant implementation, and oversee commissioning and startup activities across major GMP manufacturing facilities and utility systems. Partner with internal engineering, automation, operations, quality, validation, and external EPCM firms; support AI/digital innovation (Factory of the Future). Reports to Senior Director, Engineering.
Responsibilities:
- Lead owner’s instrumentation engineering team and design authority for field instrumentation/control devices; provide contractor oversight.
- Establish instrumentation engineering standards and execution strategies; ensure consistent instrumentation architecture globally.
- Lead instrumentation selection/specification/integration and lifecycle management for strategic capital projects.
- Review/approve instrumentation deliverables (e.g., datasheets, indexes, I/O lists, loop drawings, cause/effect, control philosophy narrative, P&IDs, network architecture, panel/cabling/support specs, shielding/ATEX, valve sizing/calculations, data sheets).
- Support design reviews/HAZOP/constructability/FAT-SAT and operational readiness; plan/budget/negotiation/procurement for instrumentation packages.
- Review vendor submittals for process, automation, cybersecurity, and GMP alignment.
- Partner with automation/process control for integration (PLC/DCS/SCADA to MES); define control/alarm/data integrity strategies; align devices/networks to digitalization.
- Lead commissioning strategy and execution; develop/review commissioning plans/test scripts/turnover/startup; coordinate with CQV.
- Ensure GMP/ISA/IEC/NEMA and engineering-standard compliant specification, installation, calibration, testing, documentation; troubleshoot startup/operational instrumentation/control issues.
Qualifications:
- BS in engineering (Master’s preferred).
- 12+ years in field instrumentation/controls in process industry.
- Experience supporting large capital projects ($500MM–$1B+).
- Deep expertise in instruments, control devices, transmitters, communication protocols, analyzers.
- Experience managing engineering contractors and global equipment vendors.
- Results-oriented leadership, negotiation, and risk-based decision making; mentor next-generation leaders.
- Travel within the US and outside the US for reviews/workshops/visits to vendor facilities.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Application instructions:
- US & Puerto Rico only: reasonable accommodations information via abbvie.com.