Staff Engineer - Expert Controls - Becton Dickinson

BD; Sandy (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BD in Sandy, Utah, is seeking a lead Controls & Automation Engineer to own the architecture and lifecycle of machine controls across development and production deployment. You will drive electrical design, PLC/HMI programming, and OT data interfaces, coordinating with global teams for scalable manufacturing excellence.

This role emphasizes safety, diagnostics, cybersecurity, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced healthcare technology environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in controls, automation, or electrical engineering or related field.
• At least 10 years in industrial automation and machine controls, including PLC/HMI programming and electrical design.
• Willingness to travel about 25% domestically and internationally.
• Experience with robotics, motion control, and industrial communications.

Responsibilities

• Define premier automation solutions and translate process needs into machine requirements and architectures.
• Own architecture and design quality across hardware, software, networks and OT interfaces.
• Lead design reviews, vendor collaboration, and risk assessments for safety and cybersecurity.
• Coordinate FAT/SAT, commissioning, ramp-up and ensure reliable start-up.
• Drive diagnostics, MTTR reduction, and continuous improvement across cells and lines.
• Influence technical roadmap and modernize OT infrastructure and AI-related initiatives.
• Mentor engineers and build plant-level expert communities.

Skills

Industrial automation

Machine controls

PLC and HMI programming

Electrical design

Motion control

Robotics

Industrial communications

Systems integration

Travel readiness

Spanish language capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in controls, automation, electrical engineering, or a closely related field

Tools

Cognex

LabVIEW

National Instruments

Job description

We Are The People Who Give Possibilities Purpose

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it's no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us-from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year-to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

As our lead Controls & Automation Engineer, you'll be the go-to technical authority driving electrical and controls innovation across machinery development projects. You'll lead the complete control system lifecycle—from initial design through successful production deployment—while building technical excellence across our global engineering and manufacturing network.

Global influence

Work across plants, engineering teams, suppliers, vendors, and communities of experts to create scalable solutions.

Innovation with purpose

Move technologies such as AI advanced robotics, Smart Factory, OT connectivity, advanced diagnostics, and data integrity from roadmap to reality.

Visible technical impact

Your decisions influence equipment reliability, product quality, operator experience, and manufacturing performance.

What You Will Lead

• Define premier solutions. Write and maintain automation, controls, and electrical specifications. Translate process needs, FDS inputs, and PFMEA risks into clear machine requirements, critical functions, and fit-for-purpose architectures.
• Own architecture and design quality. Lead design reviews and gap assessments with vendors, plants, and project teams. Define hardware, software, industrial networks, inter-machine communications, and OT data interfaces.
• Guide, build and integration. Follow supplier development, document progress, verify specification implementation, and review risks related to machine safety, cybersecurity, and data integrity.
• Deliver confident acceptance and start-up. Assess FAT readiness, implement and document FAT and SAT testing, validate control logic and system behavior, handle deviations, and support commissioning and ramp-up.
• Improve performance and maintainability. Promote strong diagnostics, MTTR-friendly design, cell reference concepts, troubleshooting discipline, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Influence the technical roadmap. Monitor emerging technologies, propose innovations, and contribute to Smart Factory, Advanced AI technologies, OT infrastructure, cybersecurity, obsolescence mitigation, and modernization initiatives.
• Build capability across the network. Share standards, lessons learned, and good practices. Mentor engineers, facilitate training, and strengthen the plant expert community.
• Multi-functional Collaboration: Engage with BD associates across GIE, communities of experts spanning multiple business units, Manufacturing, Quality, and other key departments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in controls, automation, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
• 10 years experience in industrial automation and machine controls, including PLC and HMI programming, electrical design, motion control, robotics, industrial communications, and systems integration.
• Availability to travel 25% domestic and international

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years experience in machine automation development preferred or process development.
• Experience shaping technical standards, mentoring engineers, and influencing global or cross-site expert networks.
• Experience with inline vision systems such as Cognex or LabVIEW / National Instruments.

Knowledge And Skills

• Proven ability to lead controls work across the equipment lifecycle, including requirements, design review, supplier follow-up, FAT, SAT, commissioning, ramp-up, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly and adapt your message to engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, EHS, information security, and leadership audiences.
• Exposure to regulated manufacturing, pharmaceutical or medical-device validation, 21 CFR Part 11, and data integrity principles.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma, FMEA, Kaizen, root cause analysis, and structured continuous improvement.
• Spanish language capability

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.

For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company's receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD's Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you'll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.

We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Primary Work Location

USA UT - Sandy