Principal Manufacturing Automation Engineer
AbbVie
August 20, 2026
On-site
Branchburg, NJ
$109,500 - $208,500 USD yearly
Operations
Responsibilities:
- Identify automation improvement opportunities for Manufacturing productivity, quality, and EHS (environmental, health, and safety), including technology options, vendor identification, and business cases.
- Develop moderate to complex control configuration/programming per design documents.
- Act as Automation Applications SME; lead design/deployment of automated visual systems, aggregation, and track-and-trace on packaging/manufacturing lines.
- Lead/support site digitalization, AI, robotics, and Factory of the Future initiatives.
- Integrate machine vision (cameras, lighting, optics) with track-and-trace hardware (printers, scanners) into a cohesive quality/identification system.
- Ensure seamless data flow from vision/track-and-trace to control systems (PLCs, printers, scanners) and enterprise software (ERP or MES).
- Lead OT Systems lifecycle deliverables, including validation and documentation (e.g., System Functional and Design Specifications).
- Implement OT Systems administration/maintenance tools (OS/antivirus updates, user accounts, critical data backup).
- Establish project management techniques to monitor/control automation projects; support capital projects when needed.
- Conform to EHS management system requirements; consider EHS during design/change.
- Diagnose/troubleshoot OT hardware/software/networking; implement/validate upgrades and data migrations for DCS, PLCs, SCADA, and Data Historian.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (required).
- 10+ years developing/maintaining automation software/equipment and PLC systems in manufacturing; AI/ML experience including new technology development for new product introductions.
- System development/validation experience (DS/FS/URS), risk-based validation, and validation protocol execution.
- Knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11 for automated systems in pharmaceutical/medical device industries.
- Problem-solving and ability to develop/implement untested solutions.
- Technical program leadership, including vendor management and leading cross-functional teams.
Preferred:
- SCADA/PLC programming (ladder logic/instructional texts), HMI graphics, commissioning/qualification, computerized systems validation, data historian administration/configuration.
- Machine vision platforms (e.g., Cognex/Keyence/Omron) and imaging principles (lighting/optics/camera).
- Serialization/aggregation; marking tech (1D/2D barcodes, QR, RFID); robotics with control systems, machine vision, and track-and-trace.
- Experience with pharmaceutical/biotech or medical device manufacturing processes, best practices, and regulatory expectations.
- Identify automation improvement opportunities for Manufacturing productivity, quality, and EHS (environmental, health, and safety), including technology options, vendor identification, and business cases.
- Develop moderate to complex control configuration/programming per design documents.
- Act as Automation Applications SME; lead design/deployment of automated visual systems, aggregation, and track-and-trace on packaging/manufacturing lines.
- Lead/support site digitalization, AI, robotics, and Factory of the Future initiatives.
- Integrate machine vision (cameras, lighting, optics) with track-and-trace hardware (printers, scanners) into a cohesive quality/identification system.
- Ensure seamless data flow from vision/track-and-trace to control systems (PLCs, printers, scanners) and enterprise software (ERP or MES).
- Lead OT Systems lifecycle deliverables, including validation and documentation (e.g., System Functional and Design Specifications).
- Implement OT Systems administration/maintenance tools (OS/antivirus updates, user accounts, critical data backup).
- Establish project management techniques to monitor/control automation projects; support capital projects when needed.
- Conform to EHS management system requirements; consider EHS during design/change.
- Diagnose/troubleshoot OT hardware/software/networking; implement/validate upgrades and data migrations for DCS, PLCs, SCADA, and Data Historian.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (required).
- 10+ years developing/maintaining automation software/equipment and PLC systems in manufacturing; AI/ML experience including new technology development for new product introductions.
- System development/validation experience (DS/FS/URS), risk-based validation, and validation protocol execution.
- Knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11 for automated systems in pharmaceutical/medical device industries.
- Problem-solving and ability to develop/implement untested solutions.
- Technical program leadership, including vendor management and leading cross-functional teams.
Preferred:
- SCADA/PLC programming (ladder logic/instructional texts), HMI graphics, commissioning/qualification, computerized systems validation, data historian administration/configuration.
- Machine vision platforms (e.g., Cognex/Keyence/Omron) and imaging principles (lighting/optics/camera).
- Serialization/aggregation; marking tech (1D/2D barcodes, QR, RFID); robotics with control systems, machine vision, and track-and-trace.
- Experience with pharmaceutical/biotech or medical device manufacturing processes, best practices, and regulatory expectations.