Sr. Automation Engineer

What’s it like to work for Zoetis, the world leader in animal health?  Zoetis means something a little different to every colleague, but at our core, our purpose ‘to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals,’ is what unites us in all our roles.

We’re a global animal health company dedicated to serving veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in more than 100 countries. And we’re excited to become a part of the Douglasville, GA, community as we build our newest manufacturing facility to support our growing monoclonal antibody and vaccine portfolios.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Automation Team Lead to support and oversee the management of all on-site industrial controls systems BMS, PMS, EMS and PCS infrastructure and RLAN IT/OT architecture, both new and existing. The successful candidate will play a critical role in leading a professional team responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of instrumentation and control systems, ensuring compliance with Zoetis standards, GMP, and non-GMP requirements. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Gatekeep standards for new system architecture design, and oversee the installation of instrumentation and control systems, including building automation systems, data systems, process control, DCS, and utility PLCs in harmony with Zoetis standards. 
• Lead and maintain Automation master plan for the entire site to manage and support Automation base.  
• Manage the life cycle and change control process for all automation control systems at the site to ensure compliance and operational efficiency. 
• Provide support to maintenance teams for troubleshooting instruments and control systems. 
• Develop training programs for instrumentation and control systems to enhance the skills of the team. 
• Manage vendors and consultants, ensuring that contracts contain appropriate technical specifications and are delivered according to requirements. 
• Stay abreast of developments in instrumentation and control technology and standards, applying relevant advancements to enhance operations. 
• Interface with users, peers, and management to ensure appropriate input and integration of local and corporate standards. 
• Provide technical expertise during regulatory audits to ensure compliance with industry standards. 
• Author, review, revise, or approve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as required. 
• Oversee the entire implementation of essential automation infrastructure from conception to completion. 
• Lead/Coordinate Factory Acceptance Test and Site Acceptance Test for all automation. 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, chemical engineering, automation engineering, or a related field is required. Advanced technical degrees will be considered a plus. 
• 10 years managing automation systems experience in automation engineering, particularly in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sectors is required. 

Technical Skills and Competence Required:

• Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation, and maintenance of automation systems within a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) environment. 
• Proficiency in PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, DCS (Distributed Control System), and other automation technologies. 
• Knowledge of industry standards such as ISA-88, ISA-95, and GAMP (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice). 
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements, including FDA regulations, cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice), and other relevant guidelines governing the pharmaceutical industry. 
• Technical Experience leading and managing automation projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring adherence to project timelines and budgets. 
• Understanding of equipment and system validation processes, including IQ (Installation Qualification), OQ (Operational Qualification), and PQ (Performance Qualification). 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, as Senior Automation Engineers often collaborate with cross-functional teams, vendors, and management. 
• Ability to troubleshoot complex automation issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions. 
• Basic understanding of IT/OT (Information Technology/Operational Technology) digital concepts, with the ability to integrate automation systems EMS, DCS, PCS and BMS into broader digital frameworks. 
• Life-cycle management of Automation Systems. 
• Efficient Project Management skills. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for concise and