Automation Engineer
Novartis
June 30, 2026
On-site
Durham, NC
IT
Key Responsibilities
- Own and maintain building management and environmental monitoring systems supporting a new manufacturing facility
- Design, configure, install, and maintain automation software and associated hardware across GMP and non-GMP systems
- Lead integration of third-party equipment into plant automation and distributed control systems
- Prepare scopes of work and manage automation contractors to meet project timelines and quality expectations
- Develop project objectives aligned with user requirements, business plans, and operational priorities
- Author and maintain system documentation, including user requirements and functional specifications
- Ensure automation systems meet GMP, regulatory, and internal compliance requirements
- Partner with Quality to support a compliant, inspection-ready manufacturing environment
- Troubleshoot and resolve automation-related issues impacting operations and production performance
- Execute change controls and support investigations related to automation system non-conformances
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline
- Minimum five years of experience supporting GMP automation systems in pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical manufacturing
- Hands-on Distributed Control Systems (Emerson DeltaV)
- SCADA/HMI platforms (Copadata enon, Rockwell FactoryTalk)
- Programmable Logic Controllers and building systems (Emerson PACSystems; Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix)
- Data historians/manufacturing data systems (OSIsoft PI) and basic SQL development
- Understanding of system validation, change control, and regulated automated manufacturing environments
- Strong communication and collaboration across engineering, quality, and operations teams
Compensation and Benefits (as stated)
- Salary expected: $98,700–$183,300 annually; performance-based cash incentive; possible annual equity awards; US benefits including health, life, disability, and 401(k) with match; time off package.
- Own and maintain building management and environmental monitoring systems supporting a new manufacturing facility
- Design, configure, install, and maintain automation software and associated hardware across GMP and non-GMP systems
- Lead integration of third-party equipment into plant automation and distributed control systems
- Prepare scopes of work and manage automation contractors to meet project timelines and quality expectations
- Develop project objectives aligned with user requirements, business plans, and operational priorities
- Author and maintain system documentation, including user requirements and functional specifications
- Ensure automation systems meet GMP, regulatory, and internal compliance requirements
- Partner with Quality to support a compliant, inspection-ready manufacturing environment
- Troubleshoot and resolve automation-related issues impacting operations and production performance
- Execute change controls and support investigations related to automation system non-conformances
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline
- Minimum five years of experience supporting GMP automation systems in pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical manufacturing
- Hands-on Distributed Control Systems (Emerson DeltaV)
- SCADA/HMI platforms (Copadata enon, Rockwell FactoryTalk)
- Programmable Logic Controllers and building systems (Emerson PACSystems; Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix)
- Data historians/manufacturing data systems (OSIsoft PI) and basic SQL development
- Understanding of system validation, change control, and regulated automated manufacturing environments
- Strong communication and collaboration across engineering, quality, and operations teams
Compensation and Benefits (as stated)
- Salary expected: $98,700–$183,300 annually; performance-based cash incentive; possible annual equity awards; US benefits including health, life, disability, and 401(k) with match; time off package.