Senior PLC & SCADA Automation Engineer (Pharma)

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

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.