Sr. Automation Engineer – DeltaV

Novartis; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 109,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Life insurance

Disability benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Novartis in Durham, NC is seeking a Sr. Automation Engineer specialized in DeltaV to lead automation projects and optimize GMP manufacturing systems.

You will serve as a technical expert, guide lifecycle activities, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Validation and IT to ensure compliant, reliable control strategies. This onsite role emphasizes DeltaV engineering, process improvements, and ensuring data integrity across systems.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in GMP pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Hands-on DeltaV DCS programming, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Experience with SCADA, HMI, PLC and manufacturing automation platforms in a regulated environment.
• Knowledge of GMP, FDA, and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
• Experience with automation validation, qualification and lifecycle management.
• Ability to lead automation projects, execute change controls, and drive improvements.
• Experience developing automation documentation and test protocols.
• Strong communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a DeltaV SME, providing technical expertise for automation systems.
• Design, configure, troubleshoot, and optimize DeltaV control strategies and performance.
• Support full automation lifecycle: implementation, upgrades, maintenance, retirement.
• Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Validation and IT to deliver solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance reliability, efficiency, and product quality.
• Investigate deviations, implement CAPA actions, and support investigations.
• Develop and maintain automation documentation and drawings.
• Ensure GMP, FDA, and data integrity compliance.

Skills

DeltaV DCS

GMP compliance

SCADA/HMI/PLC

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, or related field

Tools

Validation tooling

Job description

Summary

Join Novartis and play a pivotal role in advancing manufacturing automation that helps deliver innovative medicines to patients worldwide. As a Sr. Automation Engineer – DeltaV, you will serve as a key technical expert supporting and optimizing critical automation systems within a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment. This is an opportunity to lead impactful automation initiatives, drive system reliability and performance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enable operational excellence. If you're passionate about automation, continuous improvement, and leveraging DeltaV technology to solve complex challenges, we'd love to hear from you.

About The Role

Location

• This position will be located in Durham, NC and will be an onsite role.
• Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a DeltaV SME, providing technical expertise for automation systems supporting GMP manufacturing operations.
• Design, configure, troubleshoot, and optimize DeltaV control strategies and system performance.
• Support the full automation system lifecycle, including implementation, upgrades, maintenance, and retirement.
• Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning, qualification, and operational handover.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Validation, and IT teams to deliver automation solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system reliability, efficiency, and product quality.
• Investigate automation deviations, implement corrective actions, and support CAPA activities.
• Develop and maintain automation documentation, including specifications, test protocols, and system drawings.
• Ensure automation systems remain compliant with GMP, FDA, and data integrity requirements.
• Provide technical mentorship and subject matter expertise for DeltaV and site automation technologies.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, or a related technical field with 8+ years of experience supporting GMP pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations; or equivalent experience.
• Strong hands‑on experience programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining DeltaV DCS automation systems.
• Experience supporting SCADA, HMI, PLC, BMS, and manufacturing automation platforms in a regulated environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GMP, FDA, and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements supporting manufacturing automation systems.
• Experience with automation system validation, qualification, and lifecycle management within GMP operations.
• Proven ability to lead automation projects, execute complex change controls, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing automation documentation, technical specifications, and test protocols.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with experience partnering across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, and IT teams.

Novartis Compensation And Benefit Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $108,500 and $201,500 annually

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards:

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e‑mail to [email protected] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.