Automation Engineer - FWN

Job description

Job Description

To design and implement manufacturing technology to automate production processes and equipment and to support production operations from an equipment and process troubleshooting standpoint as well as implement production efficiency improvements. Automation engineers are expected to hold both a project management and production support workload. Project Management: An Automation Engineer may work with a Project Manager or independently depending on the complexity and scope of the project. Automation engineering responsibilities include developing user and design requirements, selecting equipment vendors or completing the technology design and equipment build in-house, managing the installation of automation while ensuring safety, and validating the automated system for adherence to requirements, CGMPs, and intended system operation. Production Support: Support Automation Technicians in situations where troubleshooting or technology may fall outside of their area of expertise. Interact with production supervisors/managers to identify areas to improve equipment throughput, flexibility, quality, safety, and/or reliability. Implement automation solutions resulting from MNC investigations or CAPA assignments.

Safety/Housekeeping – Keep shop and production areas clean and free of hazards or dangerous conditions
• Follow all safety regulations, and promote positive safety behaviors
• Facilitate safety training for contractors
• Monitor contractor safety practices

Planning - Coordinate equipment availability with production to ensure engineering activities have minimized impact to production
• Plan and execute engineering project work with minimal supervision
• Partner with production to identify windows for corrective/preventive action implementation and project work
• Effective communication of equipment operational status
• Able to estimate time required for engineering activities
• Ability to be flexible in work assignments (i.e., tasks, hours, shift, days of week)

Technical – Equipment / process control system troubleshooting and documentation of corrections and change control activities
• Provide engineering and technical support for projects.
• Provide technical support for safety and quality improvement initiatives. • Program PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and inspection systems.
• Manage small capital projects.
• Manage the budget for small capital projects and proactively identify opportunities to reduce the overall project cost.
• Design and implement modifications to the existing manufacturing equipment that will improve the operational efficiencies
• Design, install, and validate the automated control system for new or upgraded utilities systems, compounding processes, and filling and packaging equipment.
• Compose Functional Requirement Specifications, FRSs, for new or upgraded utilities systems, compounding processes, and filling and packaging equipment.
• Generate and execute Installation and Operational Qualifications, IOQs, and Performance Qualifications, PQs.
• Generate and revise standard operating procedures.
• Assist with Manufacturing Non-Conformance investigations and apply good engineering practices to reduce the risk of repeat Non-Conformances. • Implement corrective and preventative actions to improve manufacturing’s operational efficiencies.

Interfaces – Coordinate/support other departments to ensure smooth execution of work.
• Provide technical advice to other manufacturing departments
• Transfer lower level maintenance and equipment knowledge to production operators
• Capability to interface with the Quality department concerning project work and change control documentation

• Engineering Change Order (ECO) impact to product release
• CAPA / Action Tracking (Quality/Compliance) on-time completion
• CAPEX (Capital / Expense) project spending adherence
• Project milestone adherence
• Internal/External Audit Results
• Manufacturing Non-Conformances
• Health and Safety Metrics

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and take pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Desired profile

Minimum requirements

Associates Degree (2 year) in technical discipline
2 – 3 years total industrial experience in specified skill area. Exposure to highly automated/technical equipment in a manufacturing environment.

Desired: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering)
3 – 5 years pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing experience.

Fluent in English