Head of Automation, Associate Director

USA - 3390 Baxalta U.S., Inc.; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda in Thousand Oaks, CA is seeking a Head of Automation to lead the automation engineering function, define a compelling vision, and deliver high-performing solutions that align with cGMP production facilities. You will drive strategy, governance, and standard methodologies across projects, ensuring safety, compliance, and financial performance.

The role requires extensive leadership, deep automation expertise, and the ability to collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required (Chemical/Mechanical/Electrical preferred).
• Minimum 12 years in process automation, design, and project delivery.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience.
• Strong communication and matrixed organization skills.
• Experience with GMP pharmaceutical facilities and utilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an innovative Automation vision and strategy for the site.
• Drive lifecycle management of automated systems and equipment.
• Lead cross-functional teams across IT, Quality, Validation, and Manufacturing.
• Oversee project lifecycles from concept to qualification and commissioning.
• Support regulatory audits with FDA/EMA and defend practices as needed.
• Forecast budgets and manage capital and operating expenses.

Skills

Leadership experience

Process automation

Biotech industry knowledge

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Schneider Electric

DeltaV

Siemens S7 PLCs

SCADA

PI Historian

iFIX

iHistorian

Industrial Ethernet

Profibus

AS-Interface

Job description

Job Description

The Head of Automation is an engineering leader who establishes a compelling vision for the organization and executes against it using sound engineering methodology and a high-performing team. This role provides leadership to the automation engineering function and is accountable for the implementation of all team activities. The primary focus is to ensure automation engineering goals related to safety, compliance, fulfillment, and financial performance are achieved through the efficient use of resources.

How you will contribute Operations & Strategy

Develop and implement an innovative and compelling vision and strategy for the Automation Group, including Manufacturing Intelligence and Digitization, to meet site objectives.

Drive strategic initiatives to ensure complete and appropriate lifecycle management of automated systems.

Liaise between Manufacturing and Facilities clients and external engineering and vendor resources throughout the conceptual design, detailed design, specification, procurement, construction, commissioning, and qualification of automation systems for cGMP production facilities.

Engage across Takeda and external networks, including Global Engineering, manufacturing sites, industry forums, and subject matter experts, to drive continuous innovation and solve complex equipment and process issues.

Provide in-depth process automation expertise across technologies such as cell culture, purification, filling and packaging, and cell therapy.

Support Manufacturing and Operations by providing strategic direction and tactical support, including troubleshooting day-to-day issues and assigning personnel to deliver comprehensive solutions.

Monitor automation technology trends and industry benchmarks to ensure the Thousand Oaks site remains aligned with peer organizations.

Provide resources and support across the engineering project lifecycle, including conceptual and detailed design, specification, implementation, commissioning, qualification, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automation and instrumentation for biopharmaceutical production and supporting utility systems.

Assess risk and provide guidance on redundancy requirements for automation systems.

Assess, analyze, recommend, and direct improvements that increase productivity, capacity, reliability, and compliance within the Automation Department.

Establish, develop, and drive Good Engineering Practices across projects and support services, using established methodologies for project, portfolio, maintenance, and work order management.

Facilitate coordination and harmonization across Validation, Manufacturing, Facilities Engineering, Maintenance, Manufacturing Services, R&D, EHS, and Regulatory teams.

Serve as the site Automation subject matter expert during internal and external regulatory audits, including interactions with FDA and EMA representatives, and defend current practices as needed.

Ensure accountability for all deliverables, including schedule milestones, financial performance, and quality of scope for assigned projects.

Manage and forecast capital and expense budgets.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership

Lead and manage a team of automation engineers and represent the automation engineering function to partner groups, including IT, Quality, Validation, Manufacturing, Facilities, Global Engineering, and Global Automation.

Ensure high-quality work and appropriate resources are available to support operations, projects, and ongoing initiatives.

Coach, motivate, develop, recognize, and mentor engineering staff, including senior-level engineers and managers, while developing future leaders.

Provide engineering expertise and direction to employees and contractors to meet project and support schedules and financial goals while ensuring technically successful solutions.

Develop and strengthen the core competencies of site automation subject matter experts to build technical capabilities and retain critical knowledge and experience.

Coach and direct others in resolving project issues, drawing on demonstrated success solving difficult and complex problems.

What you bring to Takeda Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required, preferably Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in process automation, design, process improvement, and project delivery.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with professionals at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a matrixed organization, with excellent interpersonal, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Advanced leadership skills with demonstrated success managing and developing teams.
• Ability to design solutions and influence decisions within and beyond the scope of direct responsibility.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Strong automation engineering expertise grounded in sound engineering and scientific principles, preferably within biotechnology.
• Sound industry knowledge, project proficiency, and the ability to operate autonomously; may be recognized as a subject matter expert across relevant disciplines.
• In-depth pharmaceutical industry knowledge related to process automation systems, with working knowledge of GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and utilities.
• Knowledge of automation platforms and systems such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, Schneider Electric, Johnson Controls, DeltaV, SCADA, PI Historian, Siemens S7 PLCs, iFIX, iHistorian, Industrial Ethernet, Profibus, and AS-Interface networks.
• Experience preparing project budgets and timelines and defining, executing, and managing pre-conceptual, conceptual, basic, and detailed designs.

Working environment

Ability to work in controlled environments requiring special gowning.

Ability to work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week as required.

Availability after hours and on weekends as required.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location: USA - CA - Thousand Oaks - Rancho Conejo

U.S. Base Salary Range: $154,400.00 - $242,550.00. The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Takeda is an equal opportunity employer.

Locations

USA - CA - Thousand Oaks - Rancho Conejo

Worker Type

• Employee
• Worker Sub-Type Regular Time
• Type Full time
• Job Exempt Yes

Takeda is an industry-leading, global pharmaceutical company with an unwavering dedication to putting patients at the center of everything we do. We live our values of Takeda-ism – Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance – and are united by our mission to strive towards Better Health and a Brighter Future for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Here, everyone matters and you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission. At Takeda, you will make an impact on people’s lives – including your own. Takeda is an equal opportunity employer.