Automation Engineer

Job Description Summary

At Novartis, automation is more than technology — it is how we ensure safe, reliable medicines reach patients. In this role, you will take ownership of critical building management and environmental monitoring systems within a new manufacturing facility, helping shape how advanced automation supports quality, compliance, and operational excellence. You will work at the intersection of innovation and impact, partnering with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to design, maintain, and continuously improve systems that enable a compliant and efficient production environment. If you enjoy solving complex problems, influencing how manufacturing systems perform at scale, and seeing the direct results of your expertise in a highly regulated setting, this role offers meaningful responsibility and long-term growth.

 

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:

• Own and maintain building management and environmental monitoring systems supporting a new manufacturing facility
• Design, configure, install, and maintain automation software and associated hardware across GMP and non-GMP systems
• Lead integration of third-party equipment into plant automation and distributed control systems
• Prepare scopes of work and manage automation contractors to meet project timelines and quality expectations
• Develop project objectives aligned with user requirements, business plans, and operational priorities
• Author and maintain system documentation, including user requirements and functional specifications
• Ensure automation systems meet GMP, regulatory, and internal compliance requirements
• Partner with Quality to support a compliant, inspection-ready manufacturing environment
• Troubleshoot and resolve automation-related issues impacting operations and production performance
• Execute change controls and support investigations related to automation system non-conformances

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum five years of experience supporting GMP automation systems in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing environments
• Hands-on experience with Distributed Control Systems, including Emerson DeltaV
• Experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Human Machine Interface platforms, including Copadata enon and Rockwell FactoryTalk
• Practical expertise with Programmable Logic Controllers and building systems, including Emerson PACSystems and Allen‑Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix
• Working knowledge of data historians and manufacturing data systems, including OSIsoft PI, and basic Structured Query Language query development
• Demonstrated understanding of system validation, change control, and regulated automated manufacturing environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills when working across engineering, quality, and operations teams

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $98,700 and $183,300 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 us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com 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

$98,700.00 - $183,300.00

 

Skills Desired

Business Continuity, Change Control, Cost Management, Data Analytics and Digital, Engineering Technical Expertise, GDP Knowledge, gmp knowledge, HSE Knowledge, Knowledge Of Relevant Tools And Systems  , Manufacturing Process (Production), Operational Excellence, Quality Compliance, Resilience and Risk Management, Total Productive Maintenance