Associate Director, Automation AMER

Lonza; Bend, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching plan

Life insurance and disability coverage

Employee assistance programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Lonza seeks an experienced Automation Lead to direct MES workstreams for major CAPEX projects and to shape site automation strategy. You will manage cross‑functional teams across Manufacturing, MSAT, QA and Engineering, delivering DCS/SCADA/PLC/MES solutions with strong GMP controls.

You will mentor teams, implement Lonza best practices, and ensure validation, commissioning, and turnover meet quality and safety standards at a site‑based Bend, Oregon operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, electrical, or automation engineering.
• Experience leading full lifecycle automation projects, including MES.
• Strong project management, leadership and troubleshooting skills.
• Hands-on with Rockwell Automation platforms in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the automation and MES workstream for large CAPEX projects, meeting scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety.
• Manage cross-functional teams with Manufacturing, MSAT, QA, Engineering and partners.
• Design, develop, configure, and rollout automation systems (DCS, SCADA, PLC, MES).
• Develop automation and electronic batch record standards for operational excellence.
• Oversee software development, validation, and equipment integration through lifecycle.
• Support construction, commissioning, FATs/SATs, and GMP-compliant turnover.

Skills

Project management

Automation engineering

MES implementations

Rockwell Automation

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, electrical or automation engineering

Tools

FactoryTalk

DCS/SCADA

Rockwell control systems

Job description

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:

A competitive compensation. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• 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.