Equipment Engineer

GlaxoSmithKline; Zebulon (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline in Zebulon is seeking a skilled engineer to drive the site strategy with emphasis on mechanical and automation expertise across production, maintenance, and quality teams. You will lead troubleshooting on pharmaceutical equipment and advance capital projects that improve safety, quality, and supply continuity.

The role requires a bachelor’s in mechanical/electrical/automation engineering and 5+ years in pharmaceutical manufacturing, including FAT/SAT testing, qualification

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, automation, chemical engineering or related discipline and 5+ years’ relevant experience; or AAS/technical diploma plus 10+ years’ relevant experience.
• 5+ years detailed experience delivering mechanical and/or automation projects, technologies and troubleshooting within the Pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience troubleshooting production equipment, instrumentation and controls.
• Experience preparing and executing FAT, SAT, loop checks, and software testing for qualification.

Responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge of current and future pharmaceutical platform technologies with emphasis on automation and control systems.
• Deliver continuous improvement projects to meet functionality, cost, quality and schedule.
• Collaborate with maintenance and production to troubleshoot day-to-day issues.
• Lead EHS assessments where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with GSK policies and local codes.
• Interface with Stakeholders to deliver project benefits.
• Participate in multi-discipline project teams and manage multiple projects.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Automation troubleshooting

P&ID understanding

GxP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

AAS/technical diploma in engineering

Tools

Rockwell PLC

Siemens PLC

HMI/SCADA

Aspentech

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 strategy and provide mechanical and automation expertise to the Zebulon site within a multi-disciplinary and extended stakeholder team including Production, Technical, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Facilities, Automation, and EHS; as well as external contractors and consultants. To successfully deliver continuous capital projects which drive the Zebulon True North Strategy, to include measurable deliverables in the areas of Quality, Safety, Sustainability, and Security of Supply. Provide day-to-day production support at the shop floor level, with a strong emphasis in mechanical, automation, instrumentation and controls troubleshooting; both for new and existing pharmaceutical production equipment, as well as peripheral support systems as business drivers dictate.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a detailed and expert knowledge of current and future innovative and diverse pharmaceutical platform technologies, with a strong emphasis in high level automation and control systems as well as cutting edge mechanical processes and systems.
• Responsible for the delivery of continuous improvement projects to meet business requirements in terms of functionality, cost, quality and schedule adherence.
• Partner with maintenance and production stakeholders to assist in day-to-day troubleshooting of production related issues as required.
• Provide process expertise and lead EHS assessments where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with all role‑related GSK policies, procedures and local codes.
• Interface and build robust partnerships with key site stakeholders including Production, Maintenance, Technical, Planning, Facilities, EHS, Automation and Quality to ensure projects deliver agreed benefits.
• Actively participate in area extended management teams, EIT’s, technical investigations and multidiscipline project teams as necessary; while actively managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• 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 (GPS and Standard work) to manage individual and team priorities and responsibilities.
• Mentor fellow engineering, maintenance and technical stakeholders in mechanical and automation technologies and applications.
• Provide subject matter expertise (SME) in regulatory inspections and interact with auditors as necessary.

Why You?

Work arrangement This position is on‑site in the United States. Hybrid or remote work is not available for this role.

Basic Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, automation, chemical engineering or related discipline and 5+ years’ relevant experience; or AAS/technical diploma plus 10+ years’ relevant experience.
• 5+ years detailed experience delivering mechanical and/or automation projects, technologies and troubleshooting within the Pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience troubleshooting production equipment, instrumentation and controls.
• Experience preparing and executing FAT, SAT, loop checks, and software testing for qualification.

Preferred Qualification

• Technical expertise in several scientific, engineering and/or 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, ELAU Pack Drive) Programming, Historians (Aspentech) and SAP.
• A sound understanding of project qualification execution, including software testing, loop checks, and various other FAT, SAT, commissioning and qualification procedures.
• A sound scientific and engineering understanding of pharmaceutical secondary processing, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• 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.
• Solid experience in capital project management, including equipment and system validation lifecycle development and execution, project budget management, resource planning and schedule management.
• Working knowledge and understanding of EHS Practices with respect to the installation of production equipment, facilities and control systems.
• Proven track record in providing technical support and maintenance for mechanical equipment, instrumentation, automation and controls.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with production, maintenance, quality and external contractors and work independently when needed.

What we value in you

We look for people who put safety and quality first. You will join a team that values clear communication, practical support and continuous learning. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage people who bring different perspectives to apply.

About the Zebulon Site

GSK’s Zebulon site is a global supplier of Respiratory and Solid Dose medicines to patients around the globe and the largest GSK Pharmaceutical secondary manufacturing site in North America.

Key differentiators about GSK and Zebulon

• Our commitment to inclusion is seen as a critical advantage of ours
• Our focus on cultivating a positive work environment that cares for our employees
• Demonstrated opportunities for continued career growth driven by individual ambition
• Leaders that care about their teams and growth of both individuals and the company
• A priority focus on Safety and Quality Clean and GMP compliant work environment
• Onsite cafeteria
• Onsite gym
• Temperature-controlled climate
• Licensed, onsite Health & Wellness clinic

Skills

• Asset Life Cycle Management
• Data Integrity
• Digital Fluency
• GxP Regulations
• Lean Management
• Manufacturing Technologies
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Problem Solving
• Risk Awareness
• Standards Compliance

Please visit 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, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. 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.

We are a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years. Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive.

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.

We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

Find out more on our career site.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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.