Associate Director of Automation

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD is seeking a senior engineering leader to provide expert technical leadership across OT/automation domains. You will guide delivery from design through commissioning, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners to meet compliance standards.

The role requires 10+ years in engineering, strong SCADA/PLC or DCS experience, and a proven ability to translate business needs into technical strategies.

Qualifications

• Fluent English required.
• Subject Matter Expert in SCADA/PLC or DCS, including specification, procurement, installation, start-up, and commissioning.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline (5+ years considered in lieu).
• 10+ years of field experience.
• Excellent communication skills, able to engage honestly and influence with internal and external leaders.
• Experience in IT/OT architectures for manufacturing, IT integration, and OT cybersecurity.
• Experience with Engineering standards development and governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical leadership across engineering domains and deliver advanced technical solutions.
• Act as SME for OT/automation systems, supporting complex projects with compliance.
• Lead delivery from specification/design through commissioning and stabilization; collaborate with stakeholders and partners.
• Translate business needs into technical strategies, influencing design choices and implementation approaches.
• Guide application of internal and industry standards (URS, DQ/FAT/SAT, GMP) through project lifecycle.
• Mentor engineers to develop capability across sites.
• Drive technical improvements and standardization across the network.
• Ensure safety, health, environment (SHE) and regulatory compliance and risk assessments.
• Energize teams to explore new digital solutions driving business value.
• May line manage a team.

Skills

Fluent English

SCADA/PLC or DCS expertise

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Typical Accountabilities

• Provide expert technical leadership across assigned engineering technology domains, contributing to the development, evaluation, and delivery of advanced technical solutions.


• Act as a subject matter expert for OT/automation systems or engineering technologies, supporting the execution of complex individual projects and ensuring technical and compliance standards are met.


• Lead or oversee the delivery of technical solutions from specification and design through commissioning and stabilization, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners.


• Translate business needs into technical strategies, influencing design decisions, technology selection, and implementation approaches.


• Guide the application of internal and industry standards (e.g., URS, DQ/FAT/SAT, GMP) throughout the project or solution lifecycle.


• Support capability development by mentoring engineers and sharing expertise within and across sites.


• Drive technical improvement initiatives by identifying innovations, applying best practices, and supporting standardization across the network.


• Ensure compliance of personal and team work with safety, health, environment (SHE), and regulatory requirements, including risk assessments and documentation.


• Energize and empower teams to effectively explore new digital solutions and practices that drive business value.


• May line manage a team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Fluent English


• Subject Matter Expertise of either SCADA/PLC or DCS to include specification, procurement, installation, start-up, and commissioning.


• Bachelor’s degree (equivalent experience of (5+) will be considered) in an Engineering related discipline.


• YOE in field 10 years


• Excellent communication skills including an ability to engage honestly and influentially with internal and external business leaders and partners.


• Experience in one or more of the following:
  
  
  
  • IT and OT architectures for manufacturing environments
  
  
  • Integration with IT Systems
  
  
  • Warehouse Control Systems, AGVs, Robotics
  
  
  • Understanding of OT cybersecurity
  
  
  • Engineering standards development and governance
  
  
  
  

Desired

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing areas including API, Biotechnology, Oral Solid Dosage, Formulation and Fill, Packaging, Medical Devices


• Current GMP regulations and an understanding of regulatory agency expectations and current industry practices. Experience from a different, non-Pharma, regulated industry would also be relevant.

Date Posted

30-Sep-2026

Closing Date

30-Oct-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.