Automation Engineer III

OXB; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and benefits

Comprehensive wellbeing programmes

Learning and development opportunities

Inclusive, collaborative culture

State-of-the-art laboratories

Values-driven organisation

Job summary

OXB, located in Durham, NC, seeks an Automation Engineer III to join the Manufacturing team. You will support cGMP manufacturing by working with process equipment, control systems, and instrumentation across project phases, ensuring reliability, compliance, and operational excellence.

You will lead automation projects, troubleshoot complex issues, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Validation, and Quality teams to optimize performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years automation experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of GMP regulations and Good Engineering Practice (GEP).
• Facility start-up, commissioning, and qualification activities.
• Design, programming, or qualification of bioreactor and chromatography skid recipes.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and maintain automation systems supporting GMP manufacturing processes and facility utilities.
• Provide technical expertise across: Control system design, Hardware specification and design, Control panel design, Alarm management strategies and Instrument start-up, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver automation projects safely, efficiently, and compliantly.
• Support the configuration, administration, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing automation systems.
• Troubleshoot complex automation, instrumentation, and process control issues.
• Participate in an after-hours support rotation to ensure critical manufacturing operations remain uninterrupted.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Validation, and Quality teams to optimise system performance.
• Develop and maintain technical standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Support automation system integration and validation activities, including: Functional and User Requirement Specifications, Hardware and Software Design Specifications, System Testing and Qualification, Develop P&IDs, loop descriptions, and documentation.

Skills

Automation experience

GMP knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Bioreactor systems

Chromatography skid

Job description

Location: Durham, NC, US

Company: oxfordbiom

Automation Engineer III

At OXB, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re on a mission to enable life-changing therapies to reach patients around the world—and we’re looking for passionate individuals who embody our core values every day: Responsible, Responsive, Resilient, and Respectful.

Following the expansion of our US footprint with the acquisition of a new commercial-scale viral vector facility in Durham, North Carolina we have some new opportunities to join us.

We’re currently recruiting for a Automation Engineer III to join our Manufacturing team. In this role, you will support cGMP manufacturing by working with process equipment, control systems, and instrumentation throughout all project phases, playing a key part in advancing our mission and making a real difference.

Your responsibilities in this role would be:

The Opportunity

As an Automation Engineer III, you'll play a key role in supporting and enhancing the automated systems that drive our GMP manufacturing operations.

Working across manufacturing equipment, utilities, and control systems, you'll contribute to projects from concept through implementation while ensuring reliability, compliance, and operational excellence.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing site where you'll have visibility, influence, and the chance to make a real impact as we scale our capabilities.

Important Information

This position does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. Applicants must be legally authorised to work in the United States.

What You'll Be Doing

Lead and Support Automation Projects

• Plan, implement, and maintain automation systems supporting GMP manufacturing processes and facility utilities.
• Provide technical expertise across: Control system design, Hardware specification and design, Control panel design, Alarm management strategies and Instrument start-up, commissioning, and troubleshooting
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver automation projects safely, efficiently, and compliantly.

Drive System Performance & Reliability

• Support the configuration, administration, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing automation systems.
• Troubleshoot complex automation, instrumentation, and process control issues.
• Participate in an after-hours support rotation to ensure critical manufacturing operations remain uninterrupted.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Validation, and Quality teams to optimise system performance.

Ensure Compliance & Quality

• Support investigations and resolution of: Deviations, Change Controls and CAPAs
• Ensure systems meet regulatory and compliance requirements ( including: 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11 and GMP and Good Engineering Practices (GEP))

Contribute to Future Growth

• Develop and maintain technical standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Support automation system integration and validation activities, including:
• Functional and User Requirement Specifications
• Hardware and Software Design Specifications
• System Testing and Qualification
• Develop P&IDs, loop descriptions, and documentation supporting manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Partner with automation vendors, contractors, and technical specialists during project execution.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of automation experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of GMP regulations and Good Engineering Practice (GEP).
• Facility start-up, commissioning, and qualification activities.
• Design, programming, or qualification of bioreactor and chromatography skid recipes.
• Biopharmaceutical manufacturing automation systems.

Why Join OXB?

Make an Impact

Help deliver advanced therapies that have the potential to transform patients' lives globally.

Be Part of Something Growing

Join a rapidly expanding organisation and play a key role in the development of our Durham manufacturing site.

Grow Your Career

Access opportunities for professional development, technical growth, and career progression.

Enjoy Great Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Comprehensive wellbeing programmes supporting physical and mental health
• Learning and development opportunities
• Inclusive, collaborative, and supportive culture
• State-of-the-art laboratories and manufacturing facilities
• Values-driven organisation built on being Responsible, Responsive, Resilient, and Respectful

About OXB

OXB is a quality- and innovation-led viral vector CDMO dedicated to helping our clients bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

As one of the pioneers in cell and gene therapy, we offer deep expertise across:

• Lentiviral vectors
• AAV vectors
• Adenoviral vectors

From early-stage development through commercial manufacturing, we partner with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the delivery of breakthrough therapies.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Join OXB and help shape the future of advanced therapies while building a career with purpose.

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh