Automation Engineer

BioSpace; Swiftwater (Monroe County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanofi in Swiftwater, PA seeks an Automation Engineer to join the Manufacturing Systems & Automation team. You will support automation system changes, document updates, testing, troubleshooting, and provide SME-level support for automated process controls across biotech/pharma manufacturing.

On-call rotation, cross-functional collaboration with Operations, QA, IT, and Maintenance is required to ensure reliable production and compliance.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of direct automation experience in biopharma or related industries.
• Knowledge of DCS (DeltaV), SCADA (Aveva), PLCs in manufacturing.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; substitutions possible with relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Support automation system changes and document updates.
• Execute testing, troubleshoot events, and provide SME-level support for automation systems.
• Coordinate site change controls and collaborate with Operations, QA, IT, and Maintenance.

Skills

Automation experience

DCS/SCADA knowledge

PLC knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

DeltaV DCS

Aveva SCADA

OPC / Historian data acquisition

Job description

About The Job

Sanofi is an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to pursue scientific miracles to improve lives. Our team strives to transform the practice of medicine, connecting our science to communities in meaningful ways. Within our Sanofi Manufacturing & Supply Ambition, we’re redefining our strategy, culture, and processes to make a tangible impact worldwide.

Job Title: Automation Engineer

Location: Swiftwater, PA

About The Job

In this role, you’ll join the Manufacturing Systems & Automation department at our Swiftwater site, supporting directly the manufacturing system automation. The role will support implementation of changes to the automation systems, updating design documents, executing testing, troubleshooting events, and being a part of the site automation on‑call support. The role will provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) level support of all automated process control systems used in licensed manufacturing (including dedicated clean utilities) of the building that the Automation Engineer has been assigned to. The position will be the Manufacturing Systems & Automation Site Support interface with Operations personnel, QA Compliance, Information Systems, Engineering, Maintenance and the site wide Automation Support technicians.

The Automation Engineer must exhibit strong customer communication skills and have in‑depth technical knowledge of process control systems and equipment used in biotech/ pharmaceutical manufacturing and utility systems. This position will support the highly complex automated systems installed in the new and existing manufacturing facilities, security and its support systems.

Expected results from this position would include hands‑on support of automated system in manufacturing (including Building Automation Systems), troubleshooting of automated process equipment and process systems, coordination of contractors, execution of site change controls, aiding in the investigation of process deviations and providing expertise for process evaluation and product improvements for better quality and yields. The role will provide improved response time to failures in manufacturing and implement site automation standard procedures and Global Engineering Practices.

Join a global network that powers how Sanofi delivers seamlessly, purposefully, and at scale. In Manufacturing & Supply, you’ll help reimagine how life‑changing treatments reach people everywhere, faster.

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D‑driven, AI‑powered biopharma company committed to improving peoples’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system and innovative pipeline enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve lives.

Main Responsibilities

• System Integration:
  • Ensure seamless integration of automation systems with digital applications to support production, quality control, and data management.
• Deliverable Accountability:
  • Ensure compliance with GMP and regulatory standards (C&Q), including user/functional/detailed specification development, test protocols, and system validation.
  • Work closely with the client to understand their needs and develop strategies tailored to their organization through site assessments.
• Risk and Compliance Management:
  • Identify and proactively manage risks.
  • Ensure compliance with GMP to minimize disruptions to timelines and costs.
• Training and Support:
  • Develop and deliver specialized training materials for staff to ensure proper operation and maintenance of automated systems.
  • Provide ongoing support post‑implementation.
• Collaboration and Documentation:
  • Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Facilities, and Tech Transfer departments to capture and document detailed requirements.
• Standards and Best Practices:
  • Develop standards and best practices for development and validation activities.
  • Lead cross‑functional teams through design reviews and user acceptance testing during the development change and validation process.
• Operational Meetings:
  • Participate in facility operational meetings to ensure facility reporting needs are met.
• Operational Oversight:
  • Oversee the daily monitoring, troubleshooting, and support of automation systems (PLCs, SCADA, DCS, and other control systems) to ensure continuous production with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Identify, propose, and implement process and system improvements to enhance automation performance, reduce costs, and improve flexibility in manufacturing operations.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration:
  • Work closely with engineering, production, quality, IT, and other cross‑functional teams to ensure alignment of automation systems with production goals and regulatory requirements.
• Compliance & Risk Management:
  • Ensure that all automation activities comply with GMP, safety standards, and other relevant regulations. Lead efforts to manage risks associated with automation systems and address any compliance issues proactively.
• On‑Call Support:
  • Be available to provide on‑call support during off‑shift hours, based on a rotating schedule, to support manufacturing operations.

About You

Basic Qualifications

• Automation and Engineering: 2+ years of direct experience in automation systems and automation support within biopharma or related industries is preferred.
• Process Control Systems: Knowledge in systems like DCS (DeltaV), SCADA (Aveva), PLCs, and related automation technologies in a manufacturing context. Machine connectivity understanding with data acquisition from PLCs into higher level applications like Historian, ERPs, etc... using current technologies like OPC is preferred.

Soft And Technical Skills

• Team Collaboration: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Analytical Skills: Problem‑solving abilities.
• Communication: Effective communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholders across projects.

Education

• Bachelors degree in engineering, Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, Automation, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Computer Sciences, and/or applicable technical field related to engineering in the biopharma sector. Relevant work experience may be substituted for the required college degree.

Languages

• English: Proficiency in both written and spoken English.

Why choose us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future‑focused team.
• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether its through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
• Enjoy a thoughtful, well‑crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high‑quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks gender‑neutral parental leave.
• Shape the future of medicine and vaccine delivery with cutting‑edge technology, ensuring seamless launches and a resilient global supply.
• Power industry‑leading performance by leveraging digital, data, and AI‑driven innovation at speed and scale

Transform lives worldwide by delivering life‑changing treatments anywhere, anytime.

Sanofi US Services and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers committed to a culturally inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.