Associate Director - Digital Manufacturing & Automation Lead, Cell Therapy

AstraZeneca plc; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc seeks an Associate Director to lead digital manufacturing and automation for Cell Therapy operations. You will architect and deliver MES/LIMS, robotics integrations, and low-code Tulip apps, aligning OT/IT ecosystems in GMP environments.

In this role you will shape roadmaps, own backlogs, and partner with Quality, MSAT, and Manufacturing Operations to ensure scalable, compliant digital workflows across sites. Strong leadership in agile delivery is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Automation Engineering, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years in manufacturing systems, digital manufacturing, MES implementation, or automation engineering.
• Strong technical product ownership or program management experience delivering complex manufacturing system implementations.
• Experience with MES/LIMS platforms in pharmaceutical, biotech, cell therapy, or regulated manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with Tulip platform or similar low-code manufacturing platforms.
• Experience integrating manufacturing automation systems, robotics, environmental monitoring, and OT systems.
• Technical integration expertise: API development/integration; HighByte, OPC-UA, MQTT; SMB/NFS scripting; database design; event-driven architectures.
• Experience with SAP manufacturing integrations
• Ability to review/validate technical work by development teams and vendors
• Strong understanding of GxP, CFR Part 11, data integrity and validation
• Experience in Agile product delivery environments

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of scalable digital manufacturing platforms across Cell Therapy operations.
• Lead development of MES, LIMS, automation interfaces, robotics workflows, and orchestration capabilities.
• Define product roadmaps, manage backlogs, and drive delivery of digital batch execution and real-time visibility.
• Serve as technical product owner ensuring solutions meet manufacturing and compliance requirements.
• Lead MES and LIMS workflow orchestration for autologous and allogeneic processes.
• Design orchestration frameworks integrating MES, LIMS, ERP, automation systems, and data platforms.
• Define APIs, data exchange patterns, and event-driven architectures.
• Manage vendor delivery and validate technical designs and quality.
• Own Tulip application roadmap, deliver shop floor apps and operator workflows.
• Integrate robotics platforms, automation equipment, OT systems with enterprise platforms.
• Lead SAP/MES/LIMS integrations, ensure real-time sample tracking and manufacturing genealogy.
• Drive AI/ML adoption for workflows, predictive maintenance, and analytics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for deployment, validation, and readiness.

Skills

Technical product ownership

Program management

Agile delivery

GxP knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field

Tools

Tulip

HighByte

OPC-UA

MQTT

SAP integrations

Job description

The Associate Director, Digital Manufacturing & Automation will lead the design, implementation, integration, and continuous improvement of next-generation manufacturing digital platforms supporting Cell Therapy operations. This role bridges Manufacturing Operations, Automation Engineering, Digital IT, Quality, and Product teams to enable scalable, compliant, and intelligent manufacturing ecosystems across global Cell Therapy sites.

The primary focus is architecting and delivering advanced manufacturing capabilities including MES, LIMS, manufacturing automation, robotics integration, Tulip applications, and process orchestration platforms supporting end-to-end digital manufacturing workflows. The ideal candidate possesses strong technical product ownership capabilities combined with deep manufacturing systems expertise and hands-on experience integrating OT/IT ecosystems in regulated GMP environments.

Key Responsibilities

Digital Manufacturing Platforms

• Own delivery of scalable digital manufacturing platforms across Cell Therapy operations
• Lead development of MES, LIMS, automation interfaces, robotics workflows, and orchestration capabilities through internal teams and external partners
• Define product roadmaps, manage technical backlogs, and drive delivery of digital batch execution, electronic work instructions, device integration, and real-time visibility
• Serve as technical product owner ensuring solutions meet manufacturing and compliance requirements

MES & LIMS Workflow Orchestration

• Lead MES and LIMS workflow orchestration supporting autologous and allogeneic manufacturing processes
• Design orchestration frameworks integrating MES, LIMS, ERP, automation systems, robotics, and data platforms
• Define manufacturing process flows, APIs, data exchange patterns, and event-driven architectures
• Manage vendor delivery, reviewing technical designs and validating implementation quality

Tulip Manufacturing Applications

• Own Tulip application roadmap and delivery, partnering with development teams to build applications supporting shop floor execution, operator workflows, deviations, equipment monitoring, and process visibility
• Define application requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria
• Build or oversee development of reusable components, connectors, integrations, and low-code automation workflows
• Partner with manufacturing SMEs to rapidly prototype and deploy solutions

Robotics & Manufacturing Automation Integration

• Lead integration of robotics platforms, automation equipment, OT systems, and edge devices into enterprise platforms
• Own technical delivery of automated material movement, manufacturing execution, environmental monitoring, and equipment telemetry
• Perform hands-on integration including middleware configuration (HighByte, OPC-UA), scripting, and file system management

Enterprise Systems Integration

• Lead integration of MES and LIMS with SAP, automation systems, and analytics platforms
• Enable real-time sample tracking, chain of identity/custody, and manufacturing genealogy
• Define canonical data models supporting advanced analytics and AI use cases
• Drive API integrations with SAP ERP, vein-to-vein systems, and custom/bespoke supplier applications

Technical Leadership & Solution Delivery

• Act as technical product owner managing delivery roadmaps, sprint planning, and stakeholder expectations
• Apply Agile methodologies, CI/CD, DevSecOps, automated testing, and version control
• Ensure applications are scalable, secure, maintainable, and GxP compliant
• Review and validate technical work by development partners and vendors

AI & Advanced Digital Manufacturing

• Leverage AI/ML to optimize workflows, exception handling, predictive maintenance, and manufacturing intelligence
• Support digital twins, manufacturing analytics, and intelligent automation implementation
• Drive innovation through rapid experimentation and Industry 4.0 technology adoption

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing Operations, MSAT, Quality, Supply Chain, Automation Engineering, Digital IT, and vendors
• Translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions and delivery plans
• Support site deployments, validation, training, and operational readiness

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Automation Engineering, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 8+ years in manufacturing systems, digital manufacturing, MES implementation, or automation engineering
• Strong technical product ownership or program management experience leading complex manufacturing system implementations
• Experience with MES/LIMS platforms in pharmaceutical, biotech, cell therapy, or regulated manufacturing
• Hands-on experience with Tulip platform or similar low-code manufacturing platforms
• Experience integrating manufacturing automation systems, robotics, environmental monitoring, and OT systems
• Technical integration expertise:
  • API development and integration
  • Middleware platforms (HighByte, OPC-UA, MQTT)
  • File system management (SMB, NFS) and scripting
  • Database design and connectivity
  • Event-driven architectures
• Experience with SAP manufacturing integrations
• Ability to review and validate technical work by development teams and vendors
• Strong understanding of GxP, CFR Part 11, data integrity, and validation requirements
• Experience in Agile product delivery environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy, biologics, or ATMPs
• Experience with manufacturing orchestration platforms and digital thread architectures
• Experience with HighByte, OPC-UA, MQTT, or industrial connectivity platforms
• Experience integrating robotics platforms and autonomous manufacturing systems
• Exposure to AI/ML applications in manufacturing operations
• Experience designing manufacturing data platforms and operational analytics solutions
• Knowledge of ISA-95, ISA-88, and Industry 4.0 principles
• Programming experience with Python, JavaScript, Java, C#, or similar
• Experience with cloud-native applications and CI/CD pipelines

#CellTherapy

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $124K to $186K. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted

23-Oct-2026

Closing Date

05-Nov-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.