Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

The Sr. Manager, Automation is responsible for leading the technical group dedicated to Branchburg site automation. Responsibilities include the creation and implementation of an automation strategy for the Branchburg site, including the creation of business cases and the identification and development of automation technologies and Manufacturing control systems to improve site productivity and quality and safety performance.

The Sr. Manager, Automation will manage the site Automation Engineers responsible for technical leadership of the design, implementation, and functional verification of automation development projects in compliance with corporate and industrial standards and applicable regulations while serving as site Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) for new and existing Manufacturing control systems.

• Propose, implement, and maintain the site automation system strategy, ensuring delivery of robust, sustainable system solutions.
•  Provide SME guidance on new technology and automation trends for process control.
• Identify opportunities for automation improvements to Manufacturing productivity, quality, and EHS (environmental, health, and safety), including technology options, vendor identification, and project business cases.
• Manage Automation Engineers through the development of automation technologies, including defining operations requirements and specifications, design for manufacturing, writing specifications and SOP’s, validation strategy and planning, execution of qualifications and validations, successful transfer into the Manufacturing environment, and ensuring compliance with corporate and industrial standards and applicable regulations.
• Serve as Project Sponsor for automation projects. Periodically check the progress of projects in terms of costs, risks, scheduling and results
• Serve as site lead for ensuring the reliability and security of Operational Technology (OT) systems
• Provide technical support to all Manufacturing control system related issues, including troubleshooting and optimization, and lifecycle management of new or existing on-site control systems
• Set departmental goals. Coach and develop team performance as well as individual’s performance.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the development of automation technologies and Manufacturing control systems
• Minimum 5 years’ experience developing and maintaining automation software and equipment and PLC systems in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in leading, managing, and developing teams and managing projects
• Experience in a Pharmaceutical or Medical Device environment and with Quality System Regulations (QSR) and Design Control.

Essential Skills, Experience, and Competencies:

• Direct experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, machine learning, and data analytics
• Direct experience with system development and validation, including development of system specifications (DS, FS, URS) and risk-based validation strategies, and validation protocol development and execution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for automated systems in the pharmaceutical or medical device industries.
• AATB, ISO, and/or FDA guidelines as related to Human Tissue Processing and Medical Device Manufacture preferred
• Ability to provide technical program leadership, including external vendor management.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills 
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks and deadlines 
• Customer-oriented and results-driven mindset 
• Experience building relationships at a senior level

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​​

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.​

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

• This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs​

​Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. 

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion.  It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.

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