Manager, Automation Engineering- Onsite

AbbVie Inc; Worcester; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare company based in the UK is looking for an experienced Manager - Automation and Controls. In this role, you will lead the site Automation team, ensuring the design, implementation, and optimization of automation systems comply with industry regulations. The ideal candidate should have over twelve years of experience in automation within a manufacturing context, along with strong knowledge of PLC systems and regulatory standards. This position offers a competitive compensation package along with various benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

401(k) and incentive programs

Qualifications

• Minimum twelve years of relevant experience required for Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in developing and maintaining automation systems in manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for automated systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of control systems across the facility.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, IT.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements in automation.

Skills

Automation software development

PLC systems maintenance

AI and machine learning

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related discipline

Master’s degree in computer science, Engineering

Tools

Emerson DeltaV

Foxboro I/A

Rockwell PLC

Job description

Company Description

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Job Description

We are seeking a result driven Manager- Automation and Controls to lead site Automation team within our pharmaceutical operation reporting into Digital Systems organization. This role is responsible for leading the design, implementation, maintenance and optimization of control systems and automation technologies across the facility.

Responsibilities

• Support a Safe working environment by aligning with all pertinent environmental health, safety & maintenance program practices, rules, and regulations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, IT and Maintenance.
• Manage and supports control system including standalone Manufacturing equipment, systems upgrades, data migrations for DCS, PLC’s, SCADA, and Data Historian systems.
• Ensure all automation systems comply with regulatory requirements (FDA, cGMP, etc.).
• Mitigates risk within functions through sound design, early risk assessments and implementation of fallback strategies.
• Recommend and implement business strategies and engineering controls to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and drive world‑class performance.
• Develop and manage staff through hiring, managing performance, developing talent and providing clear expectations.
• Provide technical leadership for Day‑to‑day operational shift support for Upstream and Downstream Drug Substance manufacturing.
• Oversee troubleshooting, upgrades and lifecycle planning of automation systems.
• Maintain documentation including functional specification, validation protocols and change controls.
• Experience in change control, nonconformance, corrective & preventative actions, and Commissioning & Qualification activities.
• Work with vendors and contractors for automation related projects and support.
• Lead and support Capital projects. This role involves the application of advanced automation engineering principles in the design, specification, construction, startup, commissioning and qualification of process equipment and systems for capital projects of significant scope and complexity. Demonstrated understanding of project life cycles is preferred.
• Executive presence & communicate complex automation topics in the simplest business language at various partner forums in the workplace.
• As a System SME, be accountable and responsible to provide the necessary support during the internal and external regulatory audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related discipline with a minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant experience required. Master’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related discipline with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience required.
• 10+ years’ experience developing and maintaining automation software and equipment and PLC systems in a manufacturing environment; AI and machine learning experience.
• Working experience administering and/or configuring of Distributed Control Systems (DCS) such as Emerson DeltaV, Foxboro I/A, OSI PI, Rockwell PLC are required.
• Direct experience with system development and validation, including development of system specifications (DS, FS, URS) and risk‑based validation strategies, and validation protocol development and execution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11, ISA, Data Integrity requirements for automated systems in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Some familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies and digital transformation.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our short‑term incentive programs.
• This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html