Automation Engineering Manager

USE YOUR POWER FOR PURPOSE

The Automation Engineering Manager is a member of the Site Digital & Automation Team and is accountable for leading automation operations, lifecycle management, and production continuity across site automation and digital systems supporting manufacturing operations.

This role provides leadership, direction, and governance across automation engineering activities, ensuring reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of production-critical systems. The role works in close collaboration with Operations, Engineering, and Core Digital & Automation partners.

WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE

Automation Operations & Production Continuity

• Lead automation operations to ensure production continuity and system reliability across the site.
• Serve as escalation point for automation-related production issues and coordinate resolution across teams.
• Provide guidance to Operations and Engineering on automation system performance and risks.
• Ensure smooth transition of systems from project delivery into business-as-usual operations.

Automation Maintenance, Lifecycle Support

• Own automation lifecycle management ensuring systems remain compliant, validated, and fit for purpose.
• Establish and enforce standards for lifecycle documentation, change management, and validation.
• Oversee regulatory compliance aligned with GMP, GAMP, and audit requirements.
• Drive periodic reviews, system upgrades, and proactive lifecycle planning.

Incident, Crisis & Business Continuity Support

• Lead site-level response to major automation incidents and crises impacting production.
• Ensure effective Business Continuity Plan (BCP) readiness, testing, and execution.
• Coordinate cross-functional and vendor support during high-severity events.
• Ensure incident documentation, root cause analysis, and corrective actions are completed.

Control Systems & Automation Infrastructure Management

• Manage control systems and automation infrastructure including DCS, PLC, SCADA, HMI, and related systems.
• Drive governance of system changes, upgrades, and infrastructure improvements.
• Oversee vendor engagement, system integration, and technology roadmap execution.
• Ensure alignment to site and network architecture standards.

Process Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance automation and manufacturing systems performance and reliability.
• Drive standardization of automation practices and coding standards.
• Enable data-driven decision making and performance optimization.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Provide technical and operational guidance across automation activities.
• Drive stakeholder engagement across Operations, Engineering, and Digital teams.
• Ensure alignment with site priorities and network strategies.

Key Attributes, Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership capabilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing automation systems and lifecycle management.
• Deep understanding of GMP and validated environments.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently while leading projects and deliverables.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and deliver tangible results.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED (Minimum Requirements)

• Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least 4 years of experience; OR a master's degree with at least 2 years of experience; OR a PhD with 0+ years of experience; OR as associate's degree with 8 years of experience; OR a high school diploma (or equivalent) and 10 years of relevant experience.
• Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation, Mechatronic, Chemical, or Computer Science Engineering.
• Extensive experience in automation engineering within pharmaceutical or GMP environments.
• Strong knowledge of GAMP guidelines applicable to in-scope systems.
• Experience leading automation teams or programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent people management abilities.
• Proficiency in using computers and applications such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated experience in managing projects within timelines and budgets.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams.

BONUS POINTS IF YOU HAVE (Preferred Requirements)

• Experience across various domains such as IT systems, electrical engineering, robotics, and automated systems within a Clinical or Regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated competencies in cross-functional leadership, including diligence, strategy development, conflict resolution, analysis, communication, and business/organizational awareness.
• Strong project planning skills.
• Ability to manage the performance of direct reports through goal setting, ongoing assessment, and coaching.
• Experience in conducting regular one-on-one mentoring and training sessions on operations, individual development plan (IDP), and performance reviews.
• Strong collaboration skills with other process automation teams, engineering, and global IT teams.
• Experience in developing and maintaining project budgets and providing updates for financial reporting cycles.
• Experience using common AI tools, including generative technologies such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, to support problem solving and enhance productivity. Demonstrated curiosity for exploring how these tools can improve outcomes and understanding of responsible AI practices, including risk management and ethical use.

OTHER JOB DETAILS

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

Last Date to Apply for Job: October 21, 2026

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations.  These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure.  Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act.  Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government.  If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.  Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.  Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.  This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email disabilityrecruitment@pfizer.com. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.