Senior Automation Engineer

Novo Nordisk; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leading pay

Annual bonus

14 holidays

Health/Dental/Vision insurance

8% 401K contribution

Parental leave

Free product access

Tuition assistance

Life & Disability Insurance

Referral bonuses

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer (IT Automation) to provide technical leadership in process automation and control systems across manufacturing operations. You will design, troubleshoot, and upgrade automation platforms, lead lifecycle management, and drive continuous improvement with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, quality and production continuity.

You will develop SOPs, support investigations, and implement changes per GMP and ISPE guidelines, while mentoring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field required; minimum 4 years of relevant experience.
• Equivalent: 4 years with associate's degree; or 8 years with high school diploma.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing automation experience required.
• Advanced automation knowledge including electrical fundamentals and PLC/HMI programming.
• DeltaV DCS, SCADA, PI Historian and S88 batch processing skills preferred.
• GMP documentation, automation validation and change-management knowledge preferred.
• NFPA 70/70E electrical safety training required.
• Strong English reading/comms; able to work independently or in teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as automation SME for assigned areas; provide technical guidance.
• Monitor production operations and system performance; respond to issues.
• Lead troubleshooting of process automation and control systems (PLC/HMI).
• Develop and maintain control software using DeltaV DCS, SCADA, PI Historian.
• Translate requirements into control strategies and system specs.
• Lead automation for capital projects and SCADA integration from design to implementation.
• Evaluate technologies and integrate with existing operations and information systems.
• Develop lifecycle plans for maintenance, upgrades, migration and backup/recovery.
• Create and support data collection, visualization, notifications and reports.
• Develop test cases for changes and IQ/OQ; support commissioning and deployment.
• Assess risks and apply change-control and release procedures.
• Lead or support deviation investigations and root cause analysis.
• Maintain automation standards, SOPs, specs and maintenance plans.
• Support audits; participate in system reviews to identify improvements.
• Improve process control and automation reliability using Six Sigma when applicable.
• Coordinate work with cross-functional teams and vendors; oversee deliverables.
• Mentor colleagues and train stakeholders; develop guidance materials.
• Support CMMS and site change-management workflows; ensure documentation.
• Understand site automation/control systems; maintain proficiency.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, FDA, OSHA and ISPE guidance; perform other duties.

Skills

Automation controls knowledge

S88 batch processing

Problem solving

Reading & applying instructions

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Associate's Degree in related field (4y + experience)

High School Diploma with 8+ years experience

Tools

DeltaV DCS

SCADA

PI Data Historian

Siemens PLC / AB PLC

HMI programming

Job description

About the Department

At Novo Nordisk, we want to make a difference. For more than 100 years, we have led the way in diabetes care. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

What we offer you:

1. Leading pay and annual performance bonus for all positions
2. All employees enjoy generous paid time off including 14 paid holidays
3. Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance – effective day one
4. Guaranteed 8% 401K contribution plus individual company match option
5. Family Focused Benefits including 14 weeks paid parental & 6 weeks paid family medical leave
6. Free access to Novo Nordisk-marketed pharmaceutical products
7. Tuition Assistance
8. Life & Disability Insurance
9. Employee Referral Awards

The Position

The Senior Automation Engineer (IT Automation) provides technical expertise in process automation and control systems, supporting site operations through the design, maintenance, troubleshooting and continuous improvement of automation systems supporting manufacturing equipment, utilities, facility systems and related applications. This position provides day-to-day technical support and leads assigned automation projects, lifecycle upgrades and continuous improvement initiatives. Working with end users and cross-functional teams, the Engineer defines technical requirements and develops and implements solutions for existing and newly introduced equipment and systems. Assignments are driven by operational needs and project priorities, with a focus on safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, system reliability and continuity of production. The Engineer supports and leads automation lifecycle management activities, including the identification, planning, design and implementation of lifecycle upgrades and automation capital expenditure projects. The Engineer may develop new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and recommend revisions to existing procedures based on operational requirements, system changes and continuous improvement opportunities. This position also supports and leads investigations into automation-related problems requiring in-depth technical and data analysis to identify root causes, determine appropriate corrective actions and implement sustainable solutions.

Relationships

Reports to: Senior Manager or above.

Essential Functions

• Serve as an automation subject matter expert for assigned areas and technologies, providing independent technical guidance to site functions
• Proactively monitor daily production operations and system performance, respond to automation-related issues and downtime and participate in off-shift and on-call support
• Lead troubleshooting of process automation and control systems, including programming, hardware, electrical devices, instrumentation and communications
• Develop and maintain control software and configurations using DeltaV DCS, PI Data Historian, PLC/HMI, SCADA and other assigned automation platforms
• Translate manufacturing, operating requirements into control strategies, functional requirements, system specifications
• Lead automation activities for assigned capital projects, system upgrades and SCADA integration, from requirements definition and design through implementation
• Evaluate automation technologies and support equipment selection and integration with existing operations, control systems and information systems
• Develop and manage lifecycle plans for system maint, upgrades, migration, backup/recovery and obsolescence
• Develop, implement and support applications, interfaces for data collection, visualization, notifications and reporting
• Develop, execute and manage test cases for approved changes and installation and operational qualification (IQ/OQ) and support commissioning and controlled deployment
• Assess and mitigate operational, quality and safety risks throughout assignments and implement changes through approved change-control and release procedures
• Lead or support deviation investigations, root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions for automation
• Develop, maintain and apply automation standards, SOPs, specifications, work instructions, maintenance plans and other controlled documents, following engineering best practices
• Support audits and inspections as an automation SME and participate in periodic system, access and audit-trail reviews to identify improvement opportunities
• Develop and implement improvements to process control, automation reliability and equipment effectiveness based on performance data, using cLEAN® or Six Sigma methods when appropriate
• Coordinate work with cross-functional teams, vendors and contractors, providing technical oversight and managing assigned project deliverables
• Mentor colleagues, train stakeholders and develop technical guidance and training materials as needed
• Support computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and site change-management workflows, ensuring accurate, timely documentation and completion of assigned actions
• Take initiative to understand site automation/control systems and maintain technical proficiency and training
• Ensure assigned systems and work comply with company standards and applicable GMP, FDA, OSHA and environmental requirements; apply relevant ISPE guidance
• Perform other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

Frequent sitting, standing, walking, reading written documents and using computer monitor; reaching with hands and arms; talking, writing and listening. Occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, bending, carrying and grasping; frequent lifting/moving up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting/moving up to 50 pounds. Must comply with EHS responsibilities; working conditions are heating, ventilation and air conditioning controlled. Lab/clean room work may involve exposure to skin and lung irritants, electrical equipment, sharp instruments, toxic materials and hazardous waste; safety engineering practices and procedures (including clean room gowning) are followed to minimize exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in related field of study from an accredited university required and a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience required
• In lieu of Bachelor's Degree with four (4) years of experience, may consider an Associate's Degree in related field of study from an accredited college or university with a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience required
• In lieu of Bachelor's Degree with four (4) years of experience, may consider a High School Diploma or equivalent with a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience required
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing automation experience, including troubleshooting of control systems and batch processes required
• Possesses advanced automation and controls knowledge, including electrical fundamentals and Siemens and/or Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC and HMI programming; formal automation training or experience required
• Possesses advanced DeltaV DCS, SCADA, PI Data Historian and S88 compliant batch-processing development skills preferred
• Working knowledge of GMP documentation, automation validation and change-management practices preferred
• Trained in NFPA 70/70E to ensure safe electrical installations and workplace electrical safety required
• Must be able to read and understand English-written job instructions and safety requirements; communicate effectively; manage time; problem-solve; use Excel/Word and other office systems; and work independently or within an organized team environment required

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.