Senior Automation Engineer - PLC

USA - 3390 Baxalta U.S., Inc.; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda in Thousand Oaks, CA is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer specializing in PLC automation to support Formulation, Filling, Packaging, and Utilities. You will troubleshoot, design, and implement control strategies in a regulated pharmaceutical setting.

The role requires hands-on PLC, HMI, and SCADA work with Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms, collaboration across teams, and leadership in automation projects from concept through final design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field.
• Minimum of 5 years of PLC automation or controls experience in a GMP pharmaceutical or similar regulated environment.
• Experience with automation system instrumentation and field device technology.
• Experience with control systems, including Allen-Bradley PLC and Intellution/iFix SCADA.
• Strong understanding of basic engineering principles across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve routine design, process, and automation engineering problems independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide automation engineering support for Formulation, Filling, Packaging, Utilities, and related manufacturing operations.
• Create control system layouts and integrate PLCs with HMIs, sensors, actuators, instrumentation, and other automation components.
• Write, debug, test, and maintain PLC code, including Ladder Logic and related control logic, to support precise, reliable process control.
• Troubleshoot PLC-based systems and resolve automation faults to minimize downtime and support operational continuity.
• Administer, maintain, and improve automation platforms used at the Thousand Oaks site, including Allen-Bradley PLC, Siemens SIMATIC WinCC, Siemens PLC S7, and Intellution/Proficy iFix SCADA.
• Develop improved and robust control system strategies for manufacturing processes using local and global practices.
• Draft, update, and routinely verify system specifications, SOPs, training materials, and related automation system documentation.
• Lead or support control system lifecycle activities in a regulated environment, including pharmaceutical change control standards and policies.
• Train users on control system functionality and provide guidance on programmable logic controllers, process control, control networks, and instrumentation.
• Serve as a subject matter expert by leading, training, and mentoring automation engineers and technicians as requested.
• Plan and execute automation projects, or defined portions of larger projects, with minimal guidance, including schedules, cost estimates, business case justifications, and cross-functional coordination.
• Contribute to cost estimating for major capital budget items, approved project spending, financial planning, and analysis to justify project approval.
• Investigate customer-service and manufacturing support issues, analyze root causes, and recommend design or process improvements.
• Manage small routine projects with complex features and coordinate contractors, technicians, and cross-functional teams as needed.
• Provide automation support through on-call coverage during off-hours as part of a 24/7 operation.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

PLC automation

GMP environment

Allen-Bradley PLC

iFix SCADA

HMI/SCADA integration

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

WinCC

Siemens S7

Intellution iFix

Allen-Bradley PLC

Job description

About the role

The Senior Automation Engineer - PLC provides day-to-day automation engineering support for Formulation, Filling, Packaging, and Utilities operations at the Thousand Oaks site. This role supports automation systems, executes automation projects of varying complexity and scope, and helps maintain reliable, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations. You will serve as a technical resource for PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, and control system lifecycle activities in a regulated pharmaceutical environment. The role requires strong hands-on troubleshooting, system administration, project execution, and cross-functional partnership to support production needs and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will apply sound engineering judgment to resolve complex automation issues, lead or support automation projects from concept through final design, and help develop robust control strategies aligned with local and global practices.

How you will contribute

• Provide automation engineering support for Formulation, Filling, Packaging, Utilities, and related manufacturing operations.
• Create control system layouts and integrate PLCs with HMIs, sensors, actuators, instrumentation, and other automation components.
• Write, debug, test, and maintain PLC code, including Ladder Logic and related control logic, to support precise, reliable process control.
• Troubleshoot PLC-based systems and resolve automation faults to minimize downtime and support operational continuity.
• Administer, maintain, and improve automation platforms used at the Thousand Oaks site, including Allen-Bradley PLC, Siemens SIMATIC WinCC, Siemens PLC S7, and Intellution/Proficy iFix SCADA.
• Develop improved and robust control system strategies for manufacturing processes using local and global practices.
• Draft, update, and routinely verify system specifications, SOPs, training materials, and related automation system documentation.
• Lead or support control system lifecycle activities in a regulated environment, including pharmaceutical change control standards and policies.
• Train users on control system functionality and provide guidance on programmable logic controllers, process control, control networks, and instrumentation.
• Serve as a subject matter expert by leading, training, and mentoring automation engineers and technicians as requested.
• Plan and execute automation projects, or defined portions of larger projects, with minimal guidance, including schedules, cost estimates, business case justifications, and cross-functional coordination.
• Contribute to cost estimating for major capital budget items, approved project spending, financial planning, and analysis to justify project approval.
• Investigate customer-service and manufacturing support issues, analyze root causes, and recommend design or process improvements.
• Manage small routine projects with complex features and coordinate contractors, technicians, and cross-functional teams as needed.
• Provide automation support through on-call coverage during off-hours as part of a 24/7 operation.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

What you bring to Takeda

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field.
• Minimum of 5 years of PLC automation or controls experience in a GMP pharmaceutical or similar regulated environment.
• Experience with automation system instrumentation and field device technology.
• Experience with control systems, including Allen-Bradley PLC and Intellution/iFix SCADA.
• Strong understanding of basic engineering principles across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve routine design, process, and automation engineering problems independently.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks from multiple customers and elevate issues when appropriate.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to discuss technical issues clearly and present technical or project management updates.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively lead, train, or support less experienced engineers, technicians, contractors, and cross-functional teams with minimal guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment.

Preferred capabilities

• Knowledge of cGxP manufacturing and processes.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical production equipment, including critical utilities, autoclaves, parts washers, lyophilizers, process tanks, filling machines, and CIP/SIP systems.
• DeltaV experience.
• Ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation when supporting divisional, cross-functional, or business-unit responsibilities.

Important considerations

At Takeda, our patients rely on us to deliver quality products. As a result, we must follow strict rules in our manufacturing facilities to ensure we are not endangering product quality. In this role, you may be required to follow site-specific safety, gowning, and controlled-environment expectations. This role may involve field work around robotic systems, control instrumentation, wiring, and control panels. The role is generally sedentary but may require lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 25 lbs. The working environment may include controlled areas requiring special gowning, loud areas requiring hearing protection, and areas with chemicals such as alcohol, acids, buffers, and celite that may require respiratory protection. This role may require work beyond standard business hours, including weekends and holidays, and may require availability outside of business hours to support 24/7 operations.

More about us

At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best-in-class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people across the world.

Takeda is an industry-leading, global pharmaceutical company with an unwavering dedication to putting patients at the center of everything we do. We live our values of Takeda-ism - Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance - and are united by our mission to strive towards Better Health and a Brighter Future for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Here, everyone matters and you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission. At Takeda, you will make an impact on people’s lives – including your own. Takeda is an equal opportunity employer.

Empowering our people to shine:

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career.We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location: USA - CA - Thousand Oaks - Rancho Conejo U.S. Base Salary Range: $89,900.00 - $141,240.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations

USA - CA - Thousand Oaks - Rancho Conejo

Worker Type

Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time