Principal Manufacturing Automation Engineer

AbbVie; Branchburg Township (NJ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in New Jersey seeks a Principal Automation Engineer to lead the development and deployment of automation technologies across manufacturing lines, integrating vision systems, track‑and‑trace, PLC/SCADA, and ERP/MES interfaces. You will drive OT lifecycle deliverables and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

You will mentor cross‑functional teams, evaluate vendor options, and advance digitalization, AI, and manufacturing modernization initiatives to improve quality, safety, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science is required.
• Minimum 10 years developing and maintaining automation software and PLC systems.
• Experience with validation and regulatory compliance (21 CFR Part 11).

Responsibilities

• Identify automation opportunities to improve productivity, quality, and EHS.
• Develop complex control configurations to meet requirements.
• Lead SME work on automation applications and track‑and‑trace systems.
• Lead digitalization, AI, robotics, and Factory of the Future initiatives.
• Integrate vision, printers, scanners with control systems and ERP/MES.
• Ensure data flow from OT systems to enterprise software.
• Manage OT lifecycle deliverables and validation documentation.
• Implement OT maintenance tools and data backups.
• Apply project-management methods for medium to large automation projects.
• Support capital projects requiring automation expertise.
• Ensure compliance with EHS requirements and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Vendor management

Cross-functional teams

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree (engineering/computer science)

Tools

SCADA

PLC programming

HMI graphics

Vision systems

DCS/OT systems

Data historian

Cognex/Keyence/Omron

Job description

Principal Automation Engineer

The Principal Automation Engineer will be responsible for identifying and developing automation technologies and manufacturing control systems to improve site productivity, quality, and safety performance. The Principal Automation Engineer will serve as the technical lead for automation development and the site subject‑matter expert (SME) for new and existing manufacturing control systems.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities for automation improvements to manufacturing productivity, quality, and EHS, including technology options, vendor identification, and project business cases.
• Develop moderate‑to‑complex control configuration or programming in accordance with design documents to meet functional requirements.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert (SME) for automation applications, leading the design and deployment of automated visual systems, aggregation, and other track‑and‑trace systems on packaging and manufacturing lines.
• Lead and support site digitalization, AI, robotics, and Factory of the Future initiatives.
• Integrate vision inspection technologies (cameras, lighting, optics) with track‑and‑trace hardware (printers, scanners) to form a cohesive quality and identification system.
• Ensure seamless data flow and integration from vision and track‑and‑trace systems to control systems (PLCs, printers, scanners) and enterprise‑level software (ERP or MES).
• Lead the development and execution of OT systems lifecycle deliverables, including validation activities and associated documentation such as system functional and design specifications.
• Implement tools for OT systems administration and maintenance, such as operating‑system and antivirus updates, user account management, and critical data backup.
• Establish project‑management techniques to monitor, report on, and control automation projects according to size and criticality (medium to large projects); support capital projects when automation expertise is required.
• Conform to EHS management system requirements and compliance obligations, promote continuous improvement, and consider EHS aspects during the design and change process.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot OT system hardware, software, and networking issues; replace defective components as needed; implement and validate OT system upgrades and data migrations for DCS, PLC, SCADA, and data historian systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience developing and maintaining automation software and equipment and PLC systems in a manufacturing environment; AI and machine‑learning experience, including experience with new technology development for new product introductions.
• Direct experience with system development and validation, including development of system specifications (DS, FS, URS) and risk‑based validation strategies, and validation protocol development and execution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for automated systems in the pharmaceutical or medical‑device industries.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills and innovative thinking to develop and implement untested solutions.
• Ability to provide technical program leadership, including external vendor management and leading cross‑functional teams including internal and external resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is highly desired.
• Ten years of experience with automation equipment, specifically in SCADA and PLC programming in ladder logic and instructional texts, is highly desired.
• Experience with HMI graphics development and management is highly desired.
• Experience with commissioning and qualification activities, including computerized systems validation, is highly desired.
• Experience administering and/or configuring a data historian system is highly desired.
• Direct experience with common machine‑vision platforms (e.g., Cognex, Keyence, Omron) and a solid understanding of imaging principles, including lighting, optics, and camera technology, is highly desired.
• Experience with serialization and aggregation systems; knowledge of various marking technologies, including 1D/2D barcodes, QR codes, and RFID, is highly desired.
• Experience with robotics by implementing and supporting advanced control systems, machine vision, and track‑and‑trace solutions is highly desired.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical‑device manufacturing processes, including operational best practices and regulatory expectations, is highly desired.

Compensation and Benefits

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html