Automation Engineer

GSK; Zebulon (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits program

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company seeks an Automation Lead to execute the automation strategy at their Zebulon site. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in delivering automation projects and compliance with regulatory standards. You will interface with various site functions and provide subject matter expertise to enhance process automation and efficiencies. This position requires a Bachelor's degree in a technical field and over 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Automation technology within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience with hands‑on programming and trouble‑shooting skills for Automation and IT systems.
• Experience interfacing with operational and senior management.

Responsibilities

• Execute the automation strategy for the Zebulon site.
• Deliver high value automation projects meeting business requirements.
• Provide subject matter expertise during regulatory inspections.

Skills

Field Instrumentation

PLC

SCADA

Manufacturing Execution Systems

Automation technology

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

SCADA systems

Historians (Aspentech)

Job description

Business Introduction

We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients' needs and drive our performance. Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it's vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply. We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients.

Position Summary

You will execute the major elements of the site Automation Strategy and provide Lead Process Automation expertise (Pharmaceutical Fill/Finish/Packaging) to the Zebulon site within a multi-disciplinary and extended team of Automation, Instrumentation, IT, Control engineers, external contractors and consultants. To successfully deliver compliant (financial, regulatory (e.g. cGMPs), GAMP) instrumentation, automation, business and control systems for new and existing pharmaceutical facilities, Building Management Systems and Environmental Monitoring Systems at Zebulon.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a detailed and expert knowledge of current and future automation technologies and be the site expert in a minimum of 3 of the following disciplines: Field Instrumentation, PLC, SCADA, Historians, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Virtualization and Integration Technologies - middleware, OPC, XML.
• Responsible for the delivery of high value automation projects to meet business requirements in terms of functionality, cost, quality and time.
• Provide process automation expertise and lead safety assessments where appropriate. Ensure compliance with all roles related GSK policies, procedures and local codes.
• Interface and build robust partnerships with key site functions including Production, Technical, Planning, Engineering and Quality to ensure technology designs deliver agreed benefits. Participate on area extended management teams as necessary and actively manage automation group requests from the business for support or new projects.
• Interface and partner with the GSK community of Shared Services, Centers of Excellence and other sites to contribute, share, and leverage technology and maintain standards as appropriate.
• Ensure performance management systems are in-use (Standard work) to manage individual priorities and responsibilities.
• Deliver measurement and control of Quality Critical Attributes (QCA) and help develop the associated Process Critical Control Points (PCCP) through use of appropriate control systems to ensure predictable and stable process operations
• Provide training and support for onsite Users / Engineers in Automation technologies and applications.
• Provide subject matter expertise to regulatory inspections and interact with auditors as necessary.

Basic Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Instrumentation, Controls, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years detailed experience delivering Automation technology within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience with hands‑on programming and trouble‑shooting skills for Automation, Instrumentation and IT systems.
• Experience interfacing with operational and senior management within the organization.
• Experience with SCADA, MES integration, or industrial communications (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, OPC).

Preferred Qualification

• Understanding of FDA PAT initiatives and the impact on the Pharma industry.
• Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing experience; Black Belt or Green Belt desirable.
• Technical expertise in several scientific and engineering automation areas including ISA standards, P&ID nomenclature, instrumentation and electrical wiring diagrams, communication networks, control panels, HMI, MES (Propack, Aspentech), SCADA (RSViewSE, iFix, Wonderware) and PLC (Rockwell, Siemens) Programming, Historians (Aspentech) and SAP.
• A sound understanding of Software testing (FAT / SAT) and commissioning procedures.
• A sound scientific and engineering understanding of pharmaceutical secondary processing, preferably in a pilot or manufacturing environment.
• Good knowledge of IT architecture management, data warehousing & implementation processes.
• Broad and in-depth knowledge and practical experience of computer and application validation (preferably using GAMP methodology), cGMPs, and 21 CFR Part 11 in an FDA regulated environment.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Working knowledge and understanding of EHS Practices with respect to the installation of automated plant.
• A good appreciation of FDA PAT initiatives and the impact on the Pharma industry.
• SPC techniques and applied application to improve / measure product manufacturing and quality.
• Proven track record in providing automation support and maintenance for instrumentation, automation and controls.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Work Arrangement

Please check the specific posting for the site of interest. Roles will be advertised as on‑site, hybrid, or remote where applicable. This position may require occasional on‑call support and travel to support project work.

How to Apply

We want to hear from you. If this role feels like the next step for your career, please apply and tell us how your skills and experience can help deliver safe, reliable automation for patients and communities. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and welcome different perspectives that help us work better together.

GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, and we get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases - to impact health at scale. People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we're committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

Equal Opportunity Employment

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at [e-mail] where you can also request a call. Please note if your inquiry does not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Find answers to multiple questions we receive.