Automation & MES Delivery Lead

Lonza Group Ltd.; Vacaville (CA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Life insurance

Disability insurance (short/long-term)

Employee assistance programs

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Lonza Group Ltd. in Vacaville, CA is seeking an Automation & MES Delivery Lead to oversee the technical design, development, and implementation of automation solutions for major CAPEX projects.

This onsite role emphasizes collaboration with Manufacturing, MSAT, QA, and suppliers to deliver compliant systems that meet Lonza standards and industry best practices. The ideal candidate will lead software configuration, control system development, and hardware specs while coordinating engineers,

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in Bioengineering or related technical field.
• Experience delivering automation and control systems in regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of PLC/DCS/SCADA and lifecycle/validation considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of automation solutions for large CAPEX projects.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, MSAT, QA, Engineering, and external partners to deploy compliant systems.
• Drive adoption of Lonza automation standards and best practices.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Process automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering or related field

Tools

OSIsoft PI

SAP

Job description

Automation & MES Delivery Lead Location: Vacaville, CA (On-site) Join Lonza's growing automation team in Vacaville and play a key role in delivering innovative automation solutions for major capital projects. This position offers the opportunity to influence the future of biopharmaceutical manufacturing by implementing world-class automation systems that support the production of life-changing therapies. This is a fully site-based role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What you will get:

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $159,750-$266,250.

• Performance-related bonus
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) matching plan
• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance programs
• Paid Time Off

What you will do:

• Lead the technical design, development, and implementation of automation solutions for large CAPEX projects, ensuring successful delivery against scope, budget, and schedule.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality Assurance, Engineering, and external partners to deploy reliable and compliant automation systems.
• Drive continuous improvement and adoption of Lonza's automation standards, best practices, and technology strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for software configuration, control system development, hardware specifications, and control panel design activities.
• Manage and coordinate engineering contractors, system integrators, and equipment vendors throughout project execution.
• Support FATs, SATs, commissioning, startup activities, and engineering turnover while ensuring robust documentation and revision control.
• Influence strategic automation initiatives by evaluating emerging technologies and providing expertise on equipment selection, system architecture, and industry trends.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, Engineering, or a related technical discipline; advanced degrees and CAP certification are advantageous.
• Proven experience delivering automation and control system solutions within biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, DCS, SCADA, and process automation systems, including lifecycle management and validation considerations.
• Experience supporting commercial manufacturing operations, including aseptic processing, mammalian cell culture, CIP, and SIP applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects and effectively manage multiple stakeholders, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience with MES, historian platforms, and ERP integrations, ideally including OSIsoft PI and SAP environments.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills with a passion for innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone's ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that's the kind of work we want you to be part of. Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.