Automation Engineer

Biopharma Careers; Zebulon (GA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK in Zebulon, GA seeks a Lead Process Automation Engineer to execute the site Automation Strategy and provide expert guidance for pharmaceutical fill/finish/packaging facilities. You will work with Automation, Instrumentation, IT and Engineering teams to deliver compliant systems, building management and environmental monitoring at Zebulon.

Minimum 5+ years in automation within pharma, hands-on programming, and experience with SCADA/MES integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field; equivalent experience acceptable.
• 5+ years detailed experience delivering Automation technology within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Hands-on programming and troubleshooting 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).

Responsibilities

• Maintain expert knowledge of current and future automation technologies and serve as site expert in multiple disciplines (instrumentation, PLC, SCADA, historians, MES, virtualization, integration).
• Deliver high-value automation projects aligning functionality, cost, quality and schedule.
• Lead safety assessments and ensure compliance with GSK policies and local codes.
• Collaborate with Production, Technical, Planning, Engineering and Quality to realize benefits from technology designs.
• Coordinate with Shared Services and Centers of Excellence to maintain standards.
• Ensure performance management systems are used to manage priorities and responsibilities.
• Implement measurement and control of Quality Critical Attributes (QCA) and develop PCCP via appropriate control systems.
• Provide training and support for onsite Users/Engineers in Automation technologies.
• Support regulatory inspections and interact with auditors as needed.

Skills

Automation engineering

PLC/SCADA

Instrumentation

MES integration

GAMP/cGMP

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Rockwell PLC

Siemens PLC

RSView / iFix

AspenTech MES

SAP

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.

Why You?

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

#LI‑GSK

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.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at HR.AmericasSC‑[e-mail] where you can also request a call.

Please note that if your inquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive

Important notice to Employment businesses/Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

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.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/