Senior Technical Sub-Project Manager Process Automation (EU)

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections,  where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

The Automation and Digital Engineering team is responsible for providing global technical leadership and accountability for process automation systems within large-scale capital projects. We support PT, CMOs, and Affiliates in delivering complex automation solutions, ensuring our digital systems meet the highest standards of efficiency, compliance, and technological innovation.

The Opportunity

• Provide independent planning, design, and technical leadership for complex process automation systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA) across manufacturing, packaging, and warehouses.

• Lead the automation sub-project for large-scale investment projects (>50–250+ million CHF) from concept development through to handover.

• Define global automation concepts and architectures, including MES integration (Pharmasuite), Data Historians (PI), and batch control systems.

• Ensure seamless integration of automation systems with process equipment skids, utility systems, and robotics.

• Manage sub-project approved budgets and schedules, providing regular status updates, risk mitigations, and escalation management.

• Lead supplier selection, technical bid evaluations, and contract negotiations with automation system integrators and OEMs.

• Drive digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 strategies, including digital twins, advanced process control, and IT/OT convergence.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and act as the key technical interface between Engineering, IT, Quality, and Manufacturing.

• Ensure full compliance with GMP, FDA CFR 21, GAMP 5, and Data Integrity standards, leading all automation-related qualification and CSV activities.

Who you are

You are a self-directed technical leader with a high degree of accountability and the ability to serve as a bridge between complex chemical/biological processes and digital control systems. You possess strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, exceptional stakeholder engagement abilities, and the strategic mindset required to drive innovation and decision-making processes in operationally demanding environments.

In addition, you possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.

• 7 years or more of experience in automation engineering, preferably within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

• Strong background in automation architecture design (e.g., DeltaV, PCS7, ABB 800xA), project execution, and validation.

• Extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance (FDA, EMA) and GMP requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.

• Demonstrated ability to execute highly complex scopes on mid-sized to large-scale capital projects.

• Proficient in English and German 

• Willingness to travel significantly (50-80%) and accept international assignments of 1 to 3 years.

Relocation benefits are not offered for this position.

Are you ready to make a difference for our patients? We are looking forward to your application – join us now and become part of our journey!

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.