Director, Automation
AbbVie
September 03, 2026
Remote friendly (Durham, NC)
United States
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
IT
The Director, Automation has global responsibility for providing reliable, safe, and efficient operations and maintenance of AbbVie’s automated process control systems. Design and implement strategic technical programs and global processes to assure consistent service delivery and compliance for Manufacturing and Engineering Services. Point of contact within manufacturing for automation topics including data integrity; system risks, mitigations, and standardization; and long-term technology decisions and investments.
Responsibilities:
- Build and lead a virtual Community of Practice team (Site Automation leaders and global automation engineers); serve as a thought leader.
- Establish Global Leader–Automation as the internal leader for technical process control operations globally; advance automation standards for reliability and compliant practices.
- Lead engineering experts supporting Site Automation Managers and Operations Managers to maintain standards across AbbVie manufacturing sites.
- Oversee development and implementation of Automation technical training programs.
- Support Global Sourcing for contracts for Automation Process Control Systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA, OSI-PI, etc.).
- Provide audit support and ensure consistent remediation.
- Research and implement cost reduction, reliability improvement, and user interface standardization to reduce human error.
- Achieve KPIs (budget, schedule, project milestones meeting user requirements).
- Manage Talent Management: coaching, performance feedback, goal setting, and team/culture building.
- Work with virtual/remote teams; adapt schedules for conference calls.
- Travel ~20%.
Qualifications:
- B.S. in Engineering (required).
- 15+ years technical experience in Automation Engineering; lead large global initiative or capital project.
- 5+ years leading technical teams (regional or global preferred).
- Experience leading virtual teams and rolling out regional/global initiatives.
- Pharma/biotech operational best practices and regulatory expectations; subject matter expertise in DCS, SCADA, PLC, instrumentation/controls.
- Data integrity and network security understanding (highly desirable).
- Strong communication skills.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive package including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) (eligible employees).
- Eligible for long-term incentive programs.
Responsibilities:
- Build and lead a virtual Community of Practice team (Site Automation leaders and global automation engineers); serve as a thought leader.
- Establish Global Leader–Automation as the internal leader for technical process control operations globally; advance automation standards for reliability and compliant practices.
- Lead engineering experts supporting Site Automation Managers and Operations Managers to maintain standards across AbbVie manufacturing sites.
- Oversee development and implementation of Automation technical training programs.
- Support Global Sourcing for contracts for Automation Process Control Systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA, OSI-PI, etc.).
- Provide audit support and ensure consistent remediation.
- Research and implement cost reduction, reliability improvement, and user interface standardization to reduce human error.
- Achieve KPIs (budget, schedule, project milestones meeting user requirements).
- Manage Talent Management: coaching, performance feedback, goal setting, and team/culture building.
- Work with virtual/remote teams; adapt schedules for conference calls.
- Travel ~20%.
Qualifications:
- B.S. in Engineering (required).
- 15+ years technical experience in Automation Engineering; lead large global initiative or capital project.
- 5+ years leading technical teams (regional or global preferred).
- Experience leading virtual teams and rolling out regional/global initiatives.
- Pharma/biotech operational best practices and regulatory expectations; subject matter expertise in DCS, SCADA, PLC, instrumentation/controls.
- Data integrity and network security understanding (highly desirable).
- Strong communication skills.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive package including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) (eligible employees).
- Eligible for long-term incentive programs.