Associate Director, Automation Engineering

Associate Director, Automation Engineering

Location: This position may be located in one of our U.S. sites including Bend or Houston and requires travel.

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

The Associate Director, Automation Engineering will be responsible for Project Management, design, development and rollout of Automation in the execution and delivery of multiple large Capital projects within Lonza, including adherence to scope, schedule and budgets, OT guidelines, engineering design and commissioning of new facilities (Basis of Design, Conceptual, Basic and Detailed Design), and leadership of cross functional teams consisting of Internal Lonza customers such as Manufacturing, MSAT, and Quality Assurance to properly identify design needs.  This person will guide automation aspects of engineering anywhere from ideation to decommissioning, collaborating with cross functional teams consisting of Internal Lonza customers and External partners to achieve consistent results regionally and globally.

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $167,000 and $243,000 USD per year. In addition, here below is a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• Performance-related bonus.

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.

• 401(k) matching plan.

• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Employee assistance programs.

• Paid time off (PTO).

• and much more!

Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including the successful candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and job-related knowledge.

What you will do:

• Manage and direct project teams with responsibility for multiple automation projects focusing on design, software configuration and coding, DCS or SCADA/PLC hardware specification as well as specification and selection of instrumentation and control panel design.

• Responsible for delivery of Automation scope under CAPEX projects owning scope, cost and schedule management.

• Design, development and rollout of Automation standards that maximize the value from leveraging the use existing Lonza best practice.

• General management and oversight to the software documentation effort as well as assist with development of project schedule and then assure that software development, hardware purchase and install, and validation efforts adhere to plan.

• Construction, commissioning, startup activities.

• Responsible for all controlled engineering documentation throughout the project lifecycle and provide technical input in support of equipment procurement, bid package preparation, bid evaluation, and vendor selection.

• Project Close-out activities involving completion of technical close-out reports and summary of assets in accordance with Lonza financial recognition requirements

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

• Extensive experience in project engineering and management within the chemical, biochemical, and life sciences industries.

• 8+ years of experience with design and operation of Biopharmaceutical facilities, both manufacturing and support systems (cGMP manufacturing, pilot plant & laboratories).

• 8 years of experience with control systems (PLC, DCS, MES) desirable.

• 6 years of practical experience in the management and coordination of engineering & construction management consultants, equipment vendors and contractors.

• Strong understanding of the fundamentals of large-scale commercial mammalian cell culture processing and aseptic filling desirable.

• Candidate must have strong communication and project management skills to coordinate and manage the activities of internal Lonza staff, consultants, vendors and contractors to meet scope, schedule, budget, safety and quality requirements of assigned Capital projects.

• Ability to travel frequently to project sites domestically and internationally. Passport required.

• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, keeping track of costs and schedule, and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.