Senior Automation Engineer: BMS, PLC & OEM Systems

Novartis Group Companies; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 99,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Group Companies in Durham, NC is seeking an Automation Engineer III focused on BMS, PLC, and OEM systems to maintain and enhance complex manufacturing automation platforms. You will partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to deliver compliant, efficient operations across GMP environments.

Responsibilities include design, configuration, installation, lifecycle management, change controls, and documentation development (URS, FS, DDS, HDS, SDS).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical GMP manufacturing operations, or 9 years of equivalent industry experience.
• Hands-on experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining DCS platforms, preferably DeltaV.
• Experience supporting PLC, BMS, and SCADA/HMI systems in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of automation validation, change controls, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
• Experience with data historian technologies, preferably OSI PI.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols, instrumentation, and control system architecture.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work across technical and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize BMS, PLC, OEM, and other manufacturing automation systems.
• Support design, configuration, installation, and lifecycle management of automation hardware and software.
• Integrate OEM and third‑party equipment with site DCS, BMS, and manufacturing systems.
• Lead automation activities for capital projects, upgrades, and system enhancements.
• Develop URS, FS, DDS, HDS, and SDS documentation for automation solutions.
• Execute and support change controls, validation activities, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Quality teams to resolve complex production issues.
• Support GMP manufacturing operations through on‑call and operational support activities.
• Drive continuous improvement projects that enhance reliability, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain automation procedures, SOPs, and system records in alignment with FDA and GMP requirements.

Skills

DeltaV

PLC programming

BMS systems

SCADA/HMI

FDA 21 CFR Part 11

OSI PI

Industrial protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

OSI PI

Job description

Novartis Group Companies in Durham, NC is seeking an Automation Engineer III focused on BMS, PLC, and OEM systems to maintain and enhance complex manufacturing automation platforms. You will partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to deliver compliant, efficient operations across GMP environments.

Responsibilities include design, configuration, installation, lifecycle management, change controls, and documentation development (URS, FS, DDS, HDS, SDS).