Principal Engineer, Automation (Onsite-Worcester, MA)

AbbVie Inc; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the pharmaceutical sector is seeking a Principal Engineer, Automation, to enhance their manufacturing processes through innovative automation technologies. The successful candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree and significant experience directing automation software and related systems. With a commitment to safety and quality, this role offers the chance to impact site productivity and efficiency significantly.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits including paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Eligible for short-term and long-term incentive programs

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in automation software, equipment, and PLC systems.
• Experience in system development, validation, and risk-based validation strategies.
• Knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for daily operational support.
• Lead and support capital projects, applying automation engineering principles.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the global network.

Skills

Problem-solving

Innovative thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Rockwell PLC Platform

Emerson DeltaV

PLC

HMI

SCADA

MES platforms

Job description

Company Description

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Job Description

The Principal Engineer, Automation will be responsible for identifying and developing automation technologies and manufacturing control systems to improve site productivity, quality, and safety performance. This role involves ensuring the success of drug product manufacturing through a thorough understanding and expertise in engineering, configuration, programming, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting of process controls, automation, electrical devices, and field instrumentation technologies. The engineer will design, develop, and deliver innovative solutions to advance AbbVie's clinical and commercial drug substance manufacturing processes.

Our environment offers high viability and a growth-oriented approach.

Responsibilities include

• Support a safe working environment by adhering to environmental health, safety, and maintenance practices, rules, and regulations.
• Provide technical leadership for daily operational support for upstream and downstream drug substance manufacturing.
• Experience in change control, nonconformance, corrective & preventive actions, and commissioning & qualification activities.
• Experience with Rockwell PLC Platform and Emerson DeltaV systems.
• Operational support on a 24/7 onsite/on-call basis, including troubleshooting support.
• Lead advanced troubleshooting activities, partnering with engineering and maintenance teams to enhance manufacturing uptime and system reliability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the global network.
• Maintain cyber resiliency through quarterly system patching.
• Lead and support capital projects, applying advanced automation engineering principles from design to commissioning and qualification.
• Develop and maintain engineering specifications, documents, drawings, and SOPs.
• Provide user requirements to OEMs during system development, including PLC, HMI, SCADA, and MES platforms.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as 21 CFR Part 11.
• Communicate complex automation topics clearly and support regulatory audits as a system SME.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in automation software, equipment, and PLC systems in manufacturing; experience with AI and machine learning is a plus.
• Experience in system development, validation, and risk-based validation strategies.
• Knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
• Strong problem-solving skills and innovative thinking.
• Ability to lead technical programs and manage vendors and cross-functional teams.

Additional Information

• The compensation range is based on job grade, location, and other factors, and may be adjusted.
• We offer comprehensive benefits, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).
• Eligible for short-term and long-term incentive programs.
• Note: Compensation is contingent upon earning, vesting, and being determinable.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer committed to integrity, innovation, and community service. For more, visit here. Applicants seeking accommodations can learn more at here.