Head of Automation Engineering, Biotech Manufacturing

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); United States; On-site; USD 166,000 - 249,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex’s AMP team seeks a high-impact leader to develop automation for Cell & Genetic Therapies. You will lead a multidisciplinary team across design, qualification, tech transfer, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems.

The role requires a PhD or MS with extensive life sciences/manufacturing experience and strong leadership, vendor management, and regulatory knowledge. On-site role with significant scope for impact and growth.

Qualifications

• PhD or master's with 5–6+ years in life sciences or manufacturing; 8+ years for Bachelors.
• Experience designing and validating automated equipment for bioprocessing or pharma.
• Strong project leadership and regulatory awareness (GMP/ISO).

Responsibilities

• Lead a interdisciplinary team to design, deploy, and qualify custom automation systems.
• Define automation strategy from concept through deployment and validation.
• Collaborate with vendors for prototypes and production parts; manage budgets.
• Present updates to senior leadership and ensure on-time delivery.

Skills

Automation engineering

Team leadership

Vendor management

V&V / validation

Controls systems

AI tools knowledge

Project management

Problem solving

Education

PhD in mechanical/electrical automation

MS in related field

Bachelor's in mechanical/electrical

Tools

PLC

DeltaV

Vision systems

Robotics

Job description

Vertex’s AMP team seeks a high-impact leader to develop automation for Cell & Genetic Therapies. You will lead a multidisciplinary team across design, qualification, tech transfer, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems.

The role requires a PhD or MS with extensive life sciences/manufacturing experience and strong leadership, vendor management, and regulatory knowledge. On-site role with significant scope for impact and growth.