Automation & Digital Manufacturing Leader

Alexion Pharma Spain S.L.; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a senior leader to set the automation, OT and digital manufacturing agenda for its Dublin site. You will shape roadmaps, lead a multidisciplinary team across Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, IT and Engineering, and ensure systems are compliant, resilient and capable of accelerating new product introductions.

You will partner with our Athlone site to align technology choices and scale successful approaches, advancing AI, analytics and digital twins while maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical, Electronic, Computer, Software or Control Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline. An advanced degree is desirable.
• Typically 10 or more years of relevant experience in GMP pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or similarly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Substantial experience leading large automation, manufacturing systems, digital or OT teams, including direct people leadership of diverse teams of FTEs and Outsourced Service Providers.
• Demonstrated experience developing automation roadmaps, handling system lifecycles and delivering complex technology or capital programmes.
• Experience handling budgets, suppliers, systems integrators and multi-disciplinary stakeholders in a regulated environment.
• Broad knowledge of PLC, MCS, MES, HMI, historian, industrial networks, Windows-based OT infrastructure, vision, motion control and manufacturing system integration.
• Strong understanding of automation architecture, process control, compatibility, integration, security, cybersecurity and lifecycle management.
• Working knowledge of cGMP, GAMP, computer system validation, data integrity, electronic records and signatures, change control and inspection readiness.
• Ability to apply data, analytics, AI and digital technologies to engineering opportunities in a responsible, compliant and value-focused manner.
• Strong project and programme management capability across planning, risk, schedule, budget, vendor governance and benefits realisation.
• Strategic thinking and business acumen: Connects technology, data and business trends to shape practical plans, priorities, investment decisions and measurable outcomes.
• Results and execution focus: Creates actionable short- and long-term plans, anticipates risk, removes obstacles and builds team capability to deliver.
• Digital fluency and stewardship: Leads adoption of digital tools and practices while promoting responsible, secure and compliant use.
• Communication, collaboration and influence: Communicates with clarity, facilitates alignment and constructively influences stakeholders with different perspectives.
• Adaptability and change orientation: Identifies barriers and enablers, leads structured change and remains resilient as priorities and technologies evolve.
• Talent development and engineering breadth: Builds inclusive teams and applies broad understanding across automation, process, maintenance, validation, projects and manufacturing operations.
• Lean mindset: Consistently enables the application of lean approaches to utilise data to identify and action improvements to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of processes.
• Customer Focus: Demonstrates a strong connection to the needs of internal customers, supports short-term requirements and achieves alignment on medium, to long term priorities.

Responsibilities

• Automation and Digital Strategy: Own and execute the site Automation, OT and Digital Manufacturing strategy, including multi-year roadmaps for capability, lifecycle, obsolescence, resilience, compliance, cybersecurity and investment.
• Technical Leadership: Provide strategic and technical leadership for PLC, HMI, historian, MCS, MES interfaces, industrial networks, OT infrastructure and related manufacturing systems.
• Architecture and Standards: Establish and govern standards for automation architecture, integration, compatibility, configuration management, system ownership, documentation and technical decision-making.
• System Reliability and Compliance: Ensure manufacturing systems remain available, secure, validated and inspection-ready with administration, backup, recovery, and 24-7 Front Line Support.
• Flexible OT and NPI Enablement: Develop flexible OT systems adaptable to future needs and enable multi-product manufacturing facilities and accelerated NPIs.
• Issue Resolution and CAPA: Lead systemic resolution of complex automation issues through risk assessment, structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, investigations, change controls and CAPAs.
• OT Cybersecurity: Be responsible for the site OT cybersecurity improvement plan with IT and global teams, including segmentation, privileged access, patching, vulnerability management, monitoring, incident response and recovery controls.
• Advanced Analytics and AI: Identify and prioritize opportunities to use AI, analytics, predictive maintenance, digital twins and manufacturing intelligence to improve reliability, yield, cycle time, cost, energy and decision-making.

Skills

Automation leadership

GMP/Regulated environments

OT/ICS experience

Project & programme management

Data analytics & AI awareness

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation/Electrical/Control Engineering or related

Tools

DeltaV

MES

HMI

PLC

SCADA

Job description

AstraZeneca is seeking a senior leader to set the automation, OT and digital manufacturing agenda for its Dublin site. You will shape roadmaps, lead a multidisciplinary team across Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, IT and Engineering, and ensure systems are compliant, resilient and capable of accelerating new product introductions.

You will partner with our Athlone site to align technology choices and scale successful approaches, advancing AI, analytics and digital twins while maintaining