Associate Director, Automation AMER

Lonza Group Ltd.; Bend (OR); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) matching

Life insurance & disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Job summary

Lonza Group Ltd. in Bend, Oregon, invites an experienced Automation Engineer to lead the MES and automation workstreams across major CAPEX projects on site.

You will drive design, configuration, and deployment of DCS, SCADA, PLC, MES, and data systems to meet quality and safety standards. You will collaborate with Manufacturing, MSAT, QA, Engineering, and external partners, delivering continuous improvement and compliance within a cGMP environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Automation Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience leading full lifecycle automation projects including MES implementations.
• Excellent project management, communication, leadership and troubleshooting skills.
• Hands‑on experience with Rockwell Automation platforms, FactoryTalk and related control technologies.
• Extensive experience delivering automation solutions involving MES, PLC, DCS, SCADA, instrumentation and data systems.
• Strong understanding of cGMP manufacturing environments, validation requirements and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the automation and MES workstream for large CAPEX projects, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety.
• Manage cross‑functional teams with Manufacturing, MSAT, QA, Engineering, and external partners.
• Direct design, development, configuration, and rollout of automation systems (DCS, SCADA, PLC, MES, instrumentation).
• Develop and implement automation and electronic batch record standards per Lonza practices.
• Oversee software development, testing, validation, revision control, and equipment integration.
• Support construction, commissioning, startup, FATs/SATs and turnover with advanced troubleshooting and GMP compliance.
• Provide technical leadership and project management oversight to consultants, contractors, and vendors.

Skills

Project leadership

Automation engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Electrical/Automation Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Automation (FactoryTalk)

DCS/SCADA/PLC

MES systems

Instrumentation data systems

Job description

AD, Automation AMER Location: Bend, Oregon

Join Lonza's Engineering team and play a critical role in delivering cutting‑edge automation solutions across major capital projects. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the design, implementation, and deployment of automation technologies that support the manufacture of life‑changing therapies while shaping global automation standards and strategies. This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What you will get:

• Performance-related bonus.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) matching plan.
• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long‑term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Paid time off (PTO).

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What you will do:

• Lead the automation and MES workstream for multiple large-scale CAPEX projects, ensuring delivery against scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety objectives.
• Manage cross-functional project teams and collaborate with Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality Assurance, Engineering, and external partners to develop and implement automation solutions.
• Direct the design, development, configuration, and rollout of automation systems, including DCS, SCADA, PLC, MES, instrumentation, historians, and associated data systems.
• Develop and implement automation and electronic batch record standards that leverage Lonza best practices and support long‑term operational excellence.
• Oversee software development, testing, documentation, validation, revision control, and equipment integration activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support construction, commissioning, startup, FATs, SATs, and engineering turnover activities while providing advanced troubleshooting expertise and ensuring GMP compliance.
• Provide technical leadership and project management oversight to consultants, contractors, and vendors while contributing to site automation strategy and continuous improvement initiatives.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience leading full lifecycle automation projects, including MES implementations, from concept and design through commissioning, validation, startup, and operational handover.
• Excellent project management, communication, leadership, and troubleshooting.
• Must have hands‑on experience with Rockwell Automation platforms, including FactoryTalk and related control technologies, in a manufacturing environment.
• Extensive experience delivering automation solutions involving MES, PLC, DCS, SCADA, instrumentation, historians, and data systems.
• Strong understanding of cGMP manufacturing environments, validation requirements, commissioning activities, and quality systems.
• skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive successful project outcomes.
• Ability to travel as needed.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow.

Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together.

Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table.

At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.