About This Role
The Automation Engineer III provides 24/7 process controls/automation technical site support to the Biogen 900 Davis drive, NC manufacturing site. In addition, this role manages multiple small OPEX/CAPEX projects and continuous improvement initiatives that support the site from initial conception to final closure. The Automation Engineer III prioritizes between supporting the site and managing their assigned projects and tasks.
What you’ll do
System Design and Implementation:
Specify, design, develop, install, commission, and qualify process control and automation solutions in direct support of commercial and clinical manufacturing operations.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand process requirements and develop control system specifications.
Configure and program Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) systems.
Instrumentation and Control System Integration:
Specify and select appropriate instrumentation for process monitoring and control.
Integrate various control systems and devices to ensure seamless communication and coordination.
Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to control system integration.
Validation and Compliance:
Ensure all automation systems comply with regulatory requirements, including cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) standards.
Participate in validation activities, including writing and executing validation protocols.
Maintain documentation in accordance with industry and company standards.
Provide technical assistance to site quality systems through investigations, control system assessments, and corrective/preventative support to ensure a compliant GMP workplace.
Work with the Site Quality units to ensure deviations and CAPAs are completed ensuring due dates are met in a timely manner.
Continuous Improvement:
Identify opportunities for process optimization, reliability improvement, and cost reduction through automation.
Implement changes to enhance system performance and reliability.
Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to recommend improvements.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance:
Provide technical support diagnosing and resolving automation systems issues in a timely manner.
Develop and implement preventive maintenance procedures for control systems.
Participate in on-call rotation for technical issues.
Possible night shift support when/if needed in the future.
Collaboration and Communication:
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including process engineers, validation specialists, and maintenance teams.
Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
Provide training to operations and maintenance personnel on control system functionalities.
Operating expense and small capital projects support:
Prepare project estimates for control/automation design, equipment, installation, labor, materials, and other related costs. Prepare project forecasts and schedules and tracks costs.
Concurrently manage and execute or participate as a team member on multi-disciplined automation and controls capital and operating expense projects from inception to project completion in support of site operations ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, company standards, operational requirements and business needs are met.
Ensure selection of new control system equipment and instrumentation assuring it meets all regulatory requirements and all instrumentation is correct for the intended use.
Perform a lead role with site technical departments to develop standards for control systems and instrumentation for new and existing equipment.
Who You Are
A self- starter and self-motivated individual who drives results and leads change. You are very organized and thrive working in a dynamic environment where strong technical knowledge and execution are required.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
Minimum 2 years hands on experience in process. control/automation, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry.
Experience with Rockwell PLCs and HMIs, Wonderware System Platform/ Archestra, SQL databases management, Networking and Communication protocols, Microsoft Server configuration and administration.
Experience with validation processes and documentation: Writing user requirements, system functional/design documents, and test protocols experience.
Must be willing to participate in an on-call rotation and possible shift coverage.
Understands risks and associated controls with working in electrically classified areas.
Preferred Qualifications
Siemens PLCs and HMIs experience is a plus.
Manufacturing Execution Systems experience is a plus.
Pharmaceutical environment including regulatory requirements associated with 21 CFR Part 11 and supporting validation of control system equipment experience.
Additional Information
Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.
Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.
In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
- Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
- 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
- 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
- Employee Resource Groups participation
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about our DE&I efforts.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- Minimum 2 years hands on experience in process control/automation in the pharmaceutical industry
- Experience with Rockwell PLCs and HMIs, Wonderware System Platform/Archestra, SQL databases
- Experience with validation processes and documentation
Biogen Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Biogen and has not been reviewed or approved by Biogen.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is generally positioned as competitive and often perceived as fair across roles, with total compensation framed as strong when bonus and equity are included. Compensation sentiment is described as above-average overall, though it varies by function and business cycle.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity programs are repeatedly highlighted as a meaningful part of the total package, including stock programs and an employee stock purchase plan. Equity and bonus elements are portrayed as important contributors to feeling well rewarded beyond base pay.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off benefits are described as distinctive, including a year-end shutdown and a paid sabbatical after extended tenure. Vacation, holidays, sick time, and personal-significance days are also presented as supportive of work-life needs.
Biogen Insights
What We Do
Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen discovers, develops and delivers innovative therapies worldwide for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 1978, Biogen is a pioneer in biotechnology and today the Company has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and is at the forefront of neurology research for conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics. With approximately 7000 people worldwide, we are truly a global organization, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is also home to our research operations. Our international headquarters are based in Zug, Switzerland and we have world-class manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Denmark. We offer therapies globally through direct affiliate presence in 30 countries and a network of distribution partners in over 50 additional countries. For more information, please visit www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
