Automation Engineering Team Lead

Pfizer; Rocky Mount, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Pfizer matching

Retirement savings contribution

Paid vacation and holidays

Health benefits

Job summary

Pfizer seeks an Automation Operations Leader to drive 24/7 plant support, ensure GMP/data integrity, and manage automation lifecycle across DeltaV DCS and PLC environments.

You will lead cross-functional teams, coordinate with Operations, Engineering, and IT, and deliver process improvements while upholding cybersecurity and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, information systems, or related technical field (or equivalent).
• 6+ years of experience with bachelor's or 5+ with master's or 1+ with PhD in relevant areas.
• Experience in Digital, Automation, IT systems, in regulated manufacturing.
• Experience leading technical teams in matrix structures.
• Experience managing technical projects/programs in operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead Operations Services team and coordinate work plans for 24/7 plant support.
• Provide automation control system lifecycle management and continuous improvement.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, data integrity, and cybersecurity alignment.
• Oversee automation infrastructure, hardware, instrumentation, and PLC environments.
• Drive Six Sigma initiatives and standardize best practices across site/network.

Skills

Leadership

Automation systems

GMP compliance

Cybersecurity awareness

Project management

Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/related field

Master's degree in engineering

PhD (for some levels)

Tools

DeltaV DCS

PLCs

PC-based platforms

IT systems

Job description

**USE YOUR POWER FOR PURPOSE**The Automation Engineering Team Lead is a key member of the Site Digital and Automation Leadership Team, responsible for leading the Operations Services function. Reporting to the Site Digital and Automation Lead, this role works in close partnership with them to deliver and continuously enhance operational support while providing leadership oversight across all digital and automation activities at the site. The role is accountable for managing 24/7 plant operations support, including oversight of automation system performance, project execution, and support of new product introductions. It ensures strong collaboration between site operational teams, core Digital & Automation teams, and above-site partners to enable efficient and aligned delivery. A primary responsibility of this position is to ensure the safe, compliant, and reliable operation of all automation systems, fully aligned with GMP, data integrity, and cybersecurity requirements. The incumbent drives stakeholder engagement and cross-functional alignment across site and PNA network. **WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE****Automation Operations & Production Continuity*** Manage the Operations Services team and coordinate work plans.* Ensure the provision of technical expertise in automation control system design and lifecycle management.* Drive continuous improvement projects, assist other teams, and ensure uptime, compliance, and data integrity.* Act as the primary operational point of contact for Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations partners for all run-state digital and automation systems.* Ensure appropriate on-call / out-of-hours support model is in place to sustain 24/7 operations.* Support NPI projects and new equipment introduction.* Ensure effective Automation Engineering operational support, including ownership of control systems, hardware, instrumentation, and PLC environments.**Automation Maintenance & Lifecycle Support*** Ensure proactive maintenance strategies, plans and execution.* Ensure that statutory and regulatory compliance requirements are satisfied and support audit/ inspection readiness.* Ensure lifecycle planning for obsolescence management, patching, and system upgrades. **Incident, Crisis & Business Continuity Response*** Manage incident response for automation and digital systems within agreed SLAs, overseeing triage, escalation, coordination, and communication with site stakeholders.* Collaborate with network support teams and Site Digital and Automation lead to assisting in crisis response, recovery and business continuity undefined. **Control Systems & Automation Infrastructure Management*** Drive key control systems strategies focusing on process optimization, system integration areas and modernisation.* Oversee technical support contracts for automated systems.* Ensure alignment with site and above-site architecture standards, cybersecurity policies, and network segmentation requirements.* Own site automation roadmap and capital planning.Contributor to global automation topics and provide strategic direction within SME forums.* Deliver Automation Systems continuous improvement initiatives using Six Sigma methodologies.* Drive standardization and replication of best practices across site and network. **Automation Engineering / Equipment level Coding*** Ensures new equipment and upgrades are ready for operations as projects transition to BAU support.* Oversee lifecycle documentation, oversees project specs, contracts, purchases, and installations within budget.* Manage changes and adhere to Automation Standards for software and hardware design.* Coach and mentor technical teams and provide support for training undefined. **Leadership and People Management*** Lead, coach, and develop site‐based colleagues and contract resources supporting digital and automation activities.* Set clear expectations for behaviours, standards, and ways of working, including responsiveness, documentation quality, and delivery of core responsibilities.* Conduct performance reviews to ensure career growth, and capability development across technical, operational, compliance, and problem‐solving areas to enable a future ready team.* Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the team.* Serve as a key member of the site Digital & Automation leadership community, partnering closely with peer leads across workstreams and with network partners.* Ensure appropriate resourcing, succession planning, and capability building aligned to future digital and automation needs undefined. **Key Attributes, Skills & Competencies*** Maintains expert knowledge of relevant automation systems, e.g. DeltaV DCS, PLCs, and PC-based platforms* Strong understanding of GMP, regulatory expectations, and data integrity principles within pharmaceutical manufacturing.* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess impact, troubleshoot effectively, and escalate appropriately.* Proven ability to follow formal change control and documentation practices in regulated and validated environments.* Demonstrated professionalism, continuous improvement, and personal development through day-to-day behaviors.* Demonstrated stakeholder management and influencing skills across cross-functional teams.* Experienced in leading technical automation programs and complex initiatives. **HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED** (Minimum Requirements)* Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least 6 years of experience; OR a master's degree with at least 5 years of experience; OR a PhD with 1+ years of experience.* Degree in engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).* Experience in Digital, Automation, IT systems, or related technical environments, with experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.* Experience leading and developing technical teams, including people management within a matrix team structure.* Experience managing technical projects, or programs within operational environments.* Experience with delivery frameworks (e.g., Agile, SDLC, Project/Program Management).* Knowledge of regulated environments and compliance requirements (e.g., GMP, change management, lifecycle governance).* Demonstrated ability to make decisions, work independently, and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.* Relevant certifications (e.g., Lean/Six Sigma, ITIL, Agile, or technical certifications) beneficial.Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact. **OTHER JOB DETAILS**Work Location Assignment: On PremiseLast Date to Apply for Job: **October 21, 2026**The annual base salary for this position ranges from $139,100.00 to $231,900.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 17.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.**Sunshine Act**Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.**EEO & Employment Eligibility**Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email [e-mail]. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.