Associate Director of Engineering

AstraZeneca plc; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is seeking an experienced engineering leader to head a 24x7 manufacturing automation team at our Philadelphia site. You will drive system selection, lifecycle ownership, and strategic improvements across automation, aseptic manufacturing, and packaging, partnering with IT, facilities, and quality.

You will guide change controls, ensure data integrity, and foster a culture of Lean thinking, risk-based improvements, and on-time project delivery while maintaining audit readiness and

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Engineering or Life Sciences.
• 10+ years of applicable experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing or packaging environment.
• Ability to communicate, manage people and projects, and lead and coach in a regulated environment.
• Project management skills and knowledge of change management processes.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, Safety, Health and Environment.
• Strong technical background in Automation (OT), Mechanical Design, Electrical Design, or Process Development.
• Understanding of risk assessment and mitigation.
• Understanding of data analytics.
• Understanding of validation principles.
• Proficiency in investigation and problem solving.
• Proven experience leading a technical or engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers with clear goals, coaching, and performance development.
• Own the selection, design, and implementation of new and replacement systems.
• Resolve complex technical issues by identifying root causes and verifying effectiveness.
• Lead change controls for equipment and automated systems in GMP context.
• Serve as System Administrator for production and facilities equipment.
• Create and maintain operating procedures, maintenance instructions, and training materials.
• Plan and deliver projects on time and within budget, coordinating IT and stakeholders.
• Apply Lean concepts and data analytics to identify bottlenecks and improvements.
• Partner with manufacturing, facilities, maintenance, quality, and IT; oversee vendor performance.
• Ensure 24x7 support coverage and audit readiness.
• Uphold Code of Conduct and governance of Quality System.

Skills

Leadership of engineers

Team coaching

Project management

Change management

GMP knowledge

Automation systems

Data analytics

Root cause investigation

Validation principles

Vendor management

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

800+ personnel leadership

Education

BA/BS in Engineering or Life Sciences

Tools

MES/SCADA

Data historians

Job description

Introduction to the Role

Are you ready to lead an engineering team that keeps critical manufacturing running flawlessly while modernizing how we deliver life-changing medicines? This role anchors a high-performing group at our Philadelphia site, resolving complex process issues in real time and driving strategic improvements across automation, aseptic manufacturing, packaging, and project execution. Your work will help ensure reliable supply, faster scale-up, and the quality our patients depend on.

You will guide the selection and implementation of new and replacement systems, steward asset lifecycles, and bring data-driven, Lean thinking to a 24x7 GMP environment. Partnering closely with manufacturing, facilities, maintenance, IT, and quality functions, you will shape how we evolve our smart, sustainable production capabilities. How will you apply your automation and systems expertise to elevate performance and accelerate impact to patients?

Accountabilities

• Team Leadership and Development: Lead a team of engineers with clear goals, coaching, and performance development. Build capability, foster accountability, and create a culture of openness where issues are raised early and solved at speed.
• System Selection and Lifecycle Ownership: Own the selection, design, and implementation of new and replacement systems for existing and tech transfer processes. Manage asset lifecycle decisions to improve reliability, throughput, and total cost of ownership.
• Issue Resolution and Root Cause: Resolve complex technical issues with equipment and automated systems by identifying root causes, defining corrective and preventive actions, and verifying effectiveness to sustain improvements.
• Change Control and Compliance: Lead change controls for equipment and automated systems, ensuring alignment with GMP, validation, data integrity, and SHE expectations. Positively reinforce standards, ensure training completion, and support audit readiness.
• Automation and Access Governance: Serve as System Administrator for production and facilities equipment, overseeing user access, audit trail reviews, data integrity checks, and preventive maintenance to ensure safe, secure, and compliant operations.
• Documentation and Training: Create and maintain operating procedures, maintenance instructions, and training materials that enable consistent, high-quality execution and rapid onboarding.
• Project and Portfolio Delivery: Plan and deliver projects on time and within budget, managing internal and external resources. Lead site-level coordination with IT and key stakeholders to integrate technology, reduce risk, and de-risk delivery.
• Lean and Continuous Improvement: Apply Lean concepts and waste reduction to enhance flow, availability, and quality. Use data analytics to identify bottlenecks, prioritize improvements, and measure impact.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Vendor Management: Partner with manufacturing, facilities, maintenance, quality, and IT. Guide procurement decisions and manage vendor and contractor performance to achieve outcomes and value.
• 24x7 Support Model: Ensure the right coverage and on-call support to sustain 24x7 operations, balancing responsiveness with preventive actions that reduce unplanned downtime over time.
• Ethical Leadership and Governance: Uphold the Code of Conduct, ensure team compliance with policies and standards, and provide the resources needed to maintain and continuously improve the Quality System.

Essential Skills and Experience

• BA/BS in Engineering or Life Sciences.
• 10+ years of applicable experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing or packaging environment.
• Ability to communicate, manage people and projects, and lead and coach in a regulated environment.
• Project management skills and knowledge of change management processes.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, Safety, Health and Environment.
• Strong technical background in either Automation (OT), Mechanical Design, Electrical Design, or Process Development.
• Understanding of risk assessment and mitigation.
• Understanding of data analytics.
• Understanding of validation principles.
• Proficiency in investigation and problem solving.
• Proven experience leading a technical or engineering team.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Experience in aseptic manufacturing operations and packaging line integration, including FAT/SAT, commissioning, and qualification.
• Demonstrated success leading technology transfers and asset lifecycle programs.
• Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, and/or PMP.
• Experience with OT cybersecurity and data integrity for GxP systems.
• Proficiency with MES/SCADA and data historians.
• Experience preparing for and supporting regulatory inspections.
• Vendor management experience across automation, mechanical, and electrical contractors.

Working at AstraZeneca

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 advances our mission to bring medicines to patients faster and more affordably. You will work with cutting-edge automation, digital tools, and Lean practices alongside colleagues who balance ambition with kindness and value evidence over ego. By bringing diverse disciplines together, we transform ideas into reliable, scalable manufacturing, while also pursuing bold sustainability goals and a smarter, more connected factory. Your decisions will shape outcomes that matter for patients, communities, and the future of our manufacturing network.

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.