Senior Automation Engineer

Lonza Biologics, Inc. in; Vacaville (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical/dental/vision coverage

401(k) matching

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Job summary

Lonza Vacaville is seeking a site-based Automation Engineer to lead design, implementation, and support of automation systems across CCP1 and CCP2 in a regulated biopharma setting.

You will drive process control and manufacturing OT systems to ensure reliable patient supply and compliance, coordinating with engineering, construction, and commissioning teams.

Responsibilities include testing, validation, on-call troubleshooting, and continuous improvement to optimize plant performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field preferred.
• Strong communication skills to engage at all levels.
• Ability to identify issues and key relationships from information.
• Adaptability to changing conditions and requirements.
• Experience with loop diagrams, field I/O integration, and end-to-end loop testing in biopharma process control systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and support of automation systems, including MCS, DCS, and PLC-based controllers.
• Lead and support automation activities for capital projects, process improvements, system upgrades, and plant expansions.
• Direct cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure right the first time system implementations.
• Oversee system testing, debugging, and startup activities for critical manufacturing assets.
• Support manufacturing operations with on-call troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Author and review automation documentation including design specifications and validation documents (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Execute offline and online coding and peer reviews to maintain system integrity and compliance.

Skills

Effective communication

Adaptability

Requirements gathering

Loop diagram development

Field I/O integration

End-to-end loop testing

Signal integrity coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

MCS

DCS

PLC-based controllers

Job description

This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

Execute automation projects and Automation Roadmap initiatives for systems supporting Cell Culture Plant 1 (CCP1) and Cell Culture Plant 2 (CCP2). This role provides technical leadership for process control, batch execution, and manufacturing OT systems in a regulated biopharmaceutical environment to ensure operational excellence and reliable patient supply.

Support MAR activities andVacaville Manufacturing Operations by assisting withtech transfers and capital projects while maintaining the qualified state of PLC and VSC systems.

What you will get

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $129,000 to $219,000.

• Performance-related bonus
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) matching plan
• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance programs
• Paid Time Off

What you will do

• Lead the design and support of automation systems, including MCS, DCS, and PLC-based controllers.
• Lead and support automation activities for capital projects, process improvements, system upgrades, and plant expansions.
• Direct cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure "right the first time" system implementations.
• Oversee system testing, debugging, and startup activities for critical manufacturing assets.
• Support manufacturing operations with on-call troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Author and review automation-related documentation including design specifications, control narratives, functional specifications, test protocols, and validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Execute both off-line and on-line coding and peer reviews to maintain system integrity and compliance.

What we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Effective communication to engage at all levels
• Ability to secure relevant information and identify key issues and relationships from a base of information.
• High adaptability to changing operational conditions and requirementsProven ability to prioritize and manage key deliverables effectively
• Proven experience with loop diagram development, field (or remote) device I/O integration, and end‑to‑end loop testing for biopharmaceutical process control systems. Skilled in coordinating with engineering, construction, and commissioning teams to validate signal integrity from field instrumentation through DCS/PLC systems in support of safe and compliant startup activities.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone's ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that's the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.