Director, Global Automation Engineering
AbbVie
August 19, 2026
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
$182,000 - $346,000 USD yearly
IT
Position Summary
- Director, Global Automation Engineering: enterprise authority for automation architecture, process control systems, and digital infrastructure across global manufacturing.
- Provide financial accountability for ~$100M annual automation operating spend; owner-side oversight for ~$200M automation capital spend.
Responsibilities
- Define, own, and continuously evolve AbbVie’s Factory of the Future automation strategy and ensure requirements are embedded in capital projects and site modernization.
- Serve as Design Authority across the enterprise for automation/digital systems (standards, specifications, vendor qualification, operational readiness).
- Lead harmonization of automation standards and engineering practices across sites; reduce compliance risk.
- Own enterprise automation architecture and governance for DCS, PLC, batch automation, SCADA, OSI-PI/data historians, EMS, BAS, and related infrastructure.
- Oversee OT cybersecurity strategy; champion data integrity (FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, GAMP 5).
- Define automation deliverables/specs for capital projects; ensure FAT/SAT, commissioning, qualification, and CQV.
- Build and lead a globally distributed automation engineering organization; manage resource planning and succession.
- Maintain automation standards program; support audits/inspections and develop training/competency frameworks; oversee procurement strategy.
Qualifications (Required/Preferred)
- Required: Bachelor’s in Electrical/Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, or related; 20+ years automation engineering with increasing leadership.
- Required: Biopharma/pharma manufacturing experience (biologics + small molecules strongly preferred).
- Required: Owner-side/lead automation scope on large capital projects ($50M+); enterprise matrix leadership.
- Strong hands-on experience with DCS/PLC/batch/SCADA/OSI-PI/EMS/BAS; deep GxP, data integrity, CQV.
- Preferred: Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Skills
- Executive presence; strategic roadmap development; financial acumen; people leadership; vendor/stakeholder management; high compliance/quality standards.
Benefits (as stated)
- Comprehensive benefits: paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k); eligible for long-term incentive programs.
- Director, Global Automation Engineering: enterprise authority for automation architecture, process control systems, and digital infrastructure across global manufacturing.
- Provide financial accountability for ~$100M annual automation operating spend; owner-side oversight for ~$200M automation capital spend.
Responsibilities
- Define, own, and continuously evolve AbbVie’s Factory of the Future automation strategy and ensure requirements are embedded in capital projects and site modernization.
- Serve as Design Authority across the enterprise for automation/digital systems (standards, specifications, vendor qualification, operational readiness).
- Lead harmonization of automation standards and engineering practices across sites; reduce compliance risk.
- Own enterprise automation architecture and governance for DCS, PLC, batch automation, SCADA, OSI-PI/data historians, EMS, BAS, and related infrastructure.
- Oversee OT cybersecurity strategy; champion data integrity (FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, GAMP 5).
- Define automation deliverables/specs for capital projects; ensure FAT/SAT, commissioning, qualification, and CQV.
- Build and lead a globally distributed automation engineering organization; manage resource planning and succession.
- Maintain automation standards program; support audits/inspections and develop training/competency frameworks; oversee procurement strategy.
Qualifications (Required/Preferred)
- Required: Bachelor’s in Electrical/Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, or related; 20+ years automation engineering with increasing leadership.
- Required: Biopharma/pharma manufacturing experience (biologics + small molecules strongly preferred).
- Required: Owner-side/lead automation scope on large capital projects ($50M+); enterprise matrix leadership.
- Strong hands-on experience with DCS/PLC/batch/SCADA/OSI-PI/EMS/BAS; deep GxP, data integrity, CQV.
- Preferred: Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Skills
- Executive presence; strategic roadmap development; financial acumen; people leadership; vendor/stakeholder management; high compliance/quality standards.
Benefits (as stated)
- Comprehensive benefits: paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k); eligible for long-term incentive programs.