Associate Director - Automation

AstraZeneca; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca Singapore ADC Site is building its first biologics manufacturing campus with autonomous manufacturing capabilities. The Associate Director - Automation will set OT direction, lead automation projects from concept to qualification, and foster a high-performing engineering culture across multiple units.

You will drive digital, AI-enabled capabilities, ensure regulatory compliance and partner with Global IT to align data standards for future-ready automation and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering required.
• Proven leadership in manufacturing, engineering and project management.
• Strong capability in developing and implementing business strategy.
• Project and change-management skills.
• Experience leading teams.
• Solid understanding of lean operations.
• Ability to handle ambiguity.
• Deep knowledge of Safety, Health & Environment legislation.
• Proven domain expertise in SCADA/PLC and DCS.
• Strong IT/OT architecture and OT cybersecurity knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Define OT strategy and architecture aligned with AstraZeneca’s global automation strategy.
• Lead planning, budgeting, solution development, and contract management to achieve operational readiness.
• Collaborate with Global/ Site Engineering and IT to align data standards and enable autonomous manufacturing.
• Provide technical authority to senior management and resolve complex issues.
• Manage costs, capacity planning and performance metrics across productivity, quality, safety, schedule and cost.
• Develop and enforce standards ensuring regulatory compliance and audit readiness.

Skills

Leadership

SCADA/PLC/DCS

IT/OT architecture

OT cybersecurity

Project management

Lean operations

Regulatory knowledge

Ambiguity management

Education

Degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Title: Associate Director - Automation

Career Level: E

About Singapore ADC Site

Be part of history in the making. AstraZeneca is building its first biologics manufacturing campus in Singapore - a groundbreaking USD 1.5 billion investment that will serve as a global hub for innovation and excellence.

This innovative facility will deliver end-to-end Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) capabilities with different manufacturing units/buildings in one campus:

• Small molecule- chemical API production
• Large molecule- monoclonal antibody manufacturing
• Conjugation
• Fill-and-finish operations, including sterile filling and lyophilization
• Final secondary packaging

The campus will be equipped with innovative digital and automation infrastructure, enabling autonomous manufacturing powered by artificial intelligence. In addition, it will be designed for carbon neutrality, embedding sustainability into every aspect of operations and setting a new benchmark for environmentally responsible biologic's manufacturing.

Introduction To Role

Are you ready to lead automation that accelerates safe, reliable medicines to patients and brings a smart factory vision to life? This role connects strategy to execution, turning digital ambition into operational reality across a complex manufacturing environment.

You will set the direction for Operational Technology and automation, guide high-impact projects from concept to qualification, and build a culture where engineers thrive. Working closely with multi-functional partners, you will ensure our plants are ready for tomorrow’s demands-more medicines, delivered faster and more affordably-while safeguarding quality and compliance. How will you shape our OT landscape to unlock autonomous manufacturing and measurable performance gains?

Accountabilities

OT Strategy and Architecture: Provide guidance into the development of engineering approaches and OT strategy, ensuring systems are specified and delivered in alignment with AstraZeneca’s global automation strategy and the broader Engineering framework.

Program Leadership and Delivery: Manage planning, budgeting, solution development, supplier liaison and contract management to deliver projects that achieve operational readiness and sustained performance in operations.

Stake-holder Collaboration: Collaborate with Global Engineering and Site Engineering to drive successful project execution and readiness; work with Global IT to align data standards and infrastructure that enable autonomous manufacturing and smart factory technologies.

Technical Authority and Critical issue: Act as a technical advisor to senior management and an escalation point for complex issues; develop fit-for-purpose engineering delivery solutions aligned to global and local priorities.

Performance and Cost Management: Control and monitor cost, capacity planning and utilization to operate within budget; own and drive critical metrics across productivity, quality, safety, schedule adherence and cost.

Standards and Compliance: Develop standards that achieve technical excellence, right-first-time outcomes and regulatory compliance; participate in FDA audits and other inspections, supporting audit readiness and automation-related responses.

Validation Leadership: Lead and execute FAT/SAT/IQ/OQ/PQ activities end-to-end, including planning, coordination, documentation review, test execution, deviation resolution and final closure.

Expansion and Change Enablement: Support and deliver in-house expansion projects involving automation scope; support the business in communicating and enabling change across the area.

Digital, Data and AI Enablement: Use approved AI tools and digital capabilities to improve work efficiency, support analysis, enhance documentation workflows and strengthen problem-solving effectiveness; develop or support automation dashboards and reporting to increase visibility of system performance, alarms, trends and operational insights.

Supplier and Contract Management: Manage supplier performance and maintain contracts that secure reliable, high-quality engineering services for projects and operations.

People Leadership and Culture: Coach automation engineers and own development plans; create an inclusive, collaborative culture, own grey areas across functions and drive best-in-class outcomes with diverse teams.

Continuous Improvement and Sustainability: Drive a Continuous Improvement mind-set that delivers lean, cost-efficient operations and supports environmental sustainability goals.

Documentation and Governance: Maintain technical-documentation in line with internal procedures and regulatory requirements, including system records, specifications, test documents and change documentation.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Degree in Engineering
• Leadership experience in manufacturing, engineering, and project management
• Capability in developing and implementing business strategy
• Project and change-management skills
• Leadership experience in managing teams
• Comprehensive understanding of lean operations
• Experience and comfort in dealing with ambiguity
• Full and detailed knowledge of relevant Safety, Health & Environment legislation
• Proven domain expertise in SCADA/PLC and DCS
• Deep knowledge in IT/OT architecture and OT cybersecurity

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Post-graduate Engineering or business qualification
• Implementation of Digital / autonomous roadmap
• Facility startup and ops preparation
• Knowledge in cGMP regulations and regulatory agency expectations

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca

Here, your engineering leadership directly shapes how life-changing medicines reach patients with speed, quality and reliability. You will work at the intersection of cutting-edge automation, data, and validation with cross-discipline teams who combine curiosity with disciplined delivery. We invest in modern manufacturing, digitalisation and sustainability, bringing unexpected teams together to solve complex problems and scale what works. You will find a culture that values kindness alongside ambition, where you can lead, learn and leave a tangible legacy-advancing smart factory capabilities while helping reduce our environmental footprint.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.