Director, Automation
AbbVie
6 months ago
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
IT
Purpose:
The Director of Automation provides owner-side leadership for automation architecture, process control systems, and digital infrastructure supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing capital projects > $2B. Serves as Design Authority for automation and digital systems to meet operational, regulatory, and data integrity requirements, ensuring integration across process automation, facility control systems, enterprise digital platforms, utilities, commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness. Supports integration with AI and digital innovation teams (e.g., Factory of the Future).
Responsibilities:
- Serve as the owner’s senior automation and digital systems leader.
- Define automation architecture and digital strategy.
- Lead the owner’s automation engineering team.
- Oversee design/implementation of DCS, PLC-based equipment control, batch automation, SCADA, and process control strategies.
- Oversee environmental monitoring and building automation systems.
- Ensure automation supports reliable operations and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance.
- 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 compliance with corporate cybersecurity and GxP data integrity requirements; implement secure, reliable automation architectures.
- Support testing/commissioning, system integration testing, operational readiness, and CQV.
- Drive transformation and introduce AI/digitalization to improve execution efficiency (up to 20% reduction vs. baseline).
- Monitor/control automation vendor program cost and schedule to meet budget/timeline.
Qualifications:
- BS in Engineering (or equivalent); Master’s preferred.
- 15+ years as a process lead across multiple platforms/industries, with significant biopharmaceutical experience.
- Proven leadership on automation projects for mega-capital ($500MM–$1B+).
- Deep knowledge of automation systems, codes, and architecture.
- Inclusive leadership of large cross-functional teams; effective communication with senior leadership and external authorities/partners.
- Experience managing engineering contractors and global equipment vendors.
- Results-oriented leadership; negotiation and risk-based decision making.
- Ability to mentor and develop next-generation leaders.
- Travel within the US and outside the US for reviews/workshops/visits to vendor facilities required.
The Director of Automation provides owner-side leadership for automation architecture, process control systems, and digital infrastructure supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing capital projects > $2B. Serves as Design Authority for automation and digital systems to meet operational, regulatory, and data integrity requirements, ensuring integration across process automation, facility control systems, enterprise digital platforms, utilities, commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness. Supports integration with AI and digital innovation teams (e.g., Factory of the Future).
Responsibilities:
- Serve as the owner’s senior automation and digital systems leader.
- Define automation architecture and digital strategy.
- Lead the owner’s automation engineering team.
- Oversee design/implementation of DCS, PLC-based equipment control, batch automation, SCADA, and process control strategies.
- Oversee environmental monitoring and building automation systems.
- Ensure automation supports reliable operations and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance.
- 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 compliance with corporate cybersecurity and GxP data integrity requirements; implement secure, reliable automation architectures.
- Support testing/commissioning, system integration testing, operational readiness, and CQV.
- Drive transformation and introduce AI/digitalization to improve execution efficiency (up to 20% reduction vs. baseline).
- Monitor/control automation vendor program cost and schedule to meet budget/timeline.
Qualifications:
- BS in Engineering (or equivalent); Master’s preferred.
- 15+ years as a process lead across multiple platforms/industries, with significant biopharmaceutical experience.
- Proven leadership on automation projects for mega-capital ($500MM–$1B+).
- Deep knowledge of automation systems, codes, and architecture.
- Inclusive leadership of large cross-functional teams; effective communication with senior leadership and external authorities/partners.
- Experience managing engineering contractors and global equipment vendors.
- Results-oriented leadership; negotiation and risk-based decision making.
- Ability to mentor and develop next-generation leaders.
- Travel within the US and outside the US for reviews/workshops/visits to vendor facilities required.