Job Description
Role Summary
The Automation Engineer supports management and implementation of control systems for equipment in a GMP manufacturing facility. This role supports equipment upgrades, troubleshooting, lifecycle planning, and compliant system operation as well as configuration for network integration and data historian management. The engineer provides day-to-day technical direction to contractors and works closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Validation, and vendors.
Key Responsibilities
- Support automation upgrades and modifications for data integrity and reliability improvements for manufacturing equipment.
- Configure, troubleshoot, test, and maintain PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and related automation components.
- Maintain OT asset inventories, software versions, patching records, and equipment lifecycle plans.
- Support vulnerability assessments, backup and recovery, change control, commissioning, and validation activities.
- Integrate the equipment systems into the manufacturing network through configuration of interface technologies, such as NATR devices and Kepware.
- Configure and manage the site data historian.
- Prepare and maintain automation documentation, including configuration records, SOPs, work instructions, and test records.
- Coordinate assigned contractor activities and provide technical direction for automation work.
- Escalate technical, quality, compliance, and schedule risks to engineering leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing automation.
- Experience with PLC- and HMI-based control systems in a manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with GAMP, 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, validation, change control, and controlled documentation practices.
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Technical Skills Required
- Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMI applications
- Industrial networking and control-system integration
- Kepware drivers and connectors
- AVEVA PI Historian
- Automation testing, commissioning, and validation documentation
- OT asset management, patching, and software-version control
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
Pay Range:
$124,000 - $186,000Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
On-Site DesignatedFlex Eligibility Status:
In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
#LI-Onsite
Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
- At least 8 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing automation
- Experience with PLC- and HMI-based control systems in a manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with GAMP, 21 CFR Part 11, validation, change control, and controlled documentation practices
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Experience with Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMI applications
- Experience with industrial networking and control-system integration
- Experience with Kepware drivers and connectors
- Experience with AVEVA PI Historian
- Experience with automation testing, commissioning, and validation documentation
- Experience with OT asset management, patching, and software-version control
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vertex Pharmaceuticals and has not been reviewed or approved by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies provide 12 weeks of 100% paid bonding leave for all U.S. parents with additional fully paid time for birth parents. Family-forming supports include adoption and surrogacy assistance, fertility options like IVF and egg cryopreservation, breast‑milk shipping, subsidized childcare, backup care, and a DCFSA match.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes roughly four weeks of vacation, 13 holidays, sick time, and two companywide shutdowns (summer and year‑end). Some roles also include flexible or unlimited time off and paid volunteer time.
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Retirement Support — Programs include a 401(k) plan with employer contributions and an employee stock purchase plan. Filings describe employer contributions occurring in company stock, supporting long‑term ownership.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Insights
What We Do
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. We discovered and developed the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases. Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, our corporate headquarters is now located in Boston’s Innovation District, and our international headquarters is in London, United Kingdom. We currently employ approximately 3,500 people in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Latin America with nearly two-thirds of our staff dedicated to research and development. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work by Science Magazine, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and the San Diego Business Journal. Our research and medicines have also received esteemed recognitions, including the Robert J. Beall Therapeutics Development Award, the French Prix Galien and the British Pharmacological Society awards.
