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.
Job Description
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.
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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 and 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 +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Salary Range
$108,500.00 - $201,500.00
Skills Desired
Business Continuity, Cost Management, Data Analytics, Decision Making, Emotional Resilience, Engineering Concepts, Good Documentation Practices, Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Policy, Manufacturing Processes, Operational Excellence, Operations Management, Planning Budgeting And Forecasting (PBF), Problem Solving, Project Management, Quality Compliance, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Vendor ManagementSkills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience
- 8+ years of experience supporting GMP pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations
- 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
- Knowledge of GMP, FDA, and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for manufacturing automation systems
- Experience with automation system validation, qualification, and lifecycle management within GMP operations
- 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 across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, and IT teams
Novartis Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Novartis and has not been reviewed or approved by Novartis.
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Healthcare Strength — Pay and benefits are described as a strong overall package, supported by medical, dental, and vision insurance alongside FSAs/HSAs and disability and life coverage. Mental-health support is reinforced through an employee assistance program with psychological support and a network of mental health first aiders.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout element, with an automatic company contribution plus dollar-for-dollar matching in the 401(k). Additional retirement funding is described through an age-based defined contribution program and access to an employee share purchase plan discount.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-related benefits are framed as robust, including a global minimum of paid parental leave for new parents following birth or adoption. Added supports include domestic partner coverage, dependent-care resources, and benefits such as adoption assistance and child/elder care options.
Novartis Insights
What We Do
Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, working to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.
