Senior Automation Manager / Director

Senior Automation Manager / Director

Position Type: Direct Hire

Position Location: Bothell, WA

Position Salary: $145,000 - $180,000 (Depending on Experience) + Bonus

Responsibilities:

• The Senior Automation Manager will provide managerial direction, strategic, and technical leadership for the design, maintenance, and development of automation and control systems, including engineering, startup, commissioning, and qualification of systems controlling HVAC, utilities, and process systems to support Manufacturing, Warehouse, and QC lab operations for the facility.
• Duties include tracking financial success, providing fit-for-purpose automation systems, planning for system maintenance, and ensuring compliance with quality requirements.
• Create the automation, architectural and site goals, and the road map for the Bothell Facility
• Lead automation engineers responsible for supervising the design, startup, and maintenance of the automation systems for the facility.
• Manage engineers and technicians in the Bothell automation team.
• Develop and implement site automation strategy, ensure compliance, reliability, and consistency of automation platforms.
• Deliver automation projects on schedule and on budget.
• Maintain GMP and Environmental regulatory compliance of automation, Operational Technology, and data historian systems.
• Drive continuous improvement and long-range planning for equipment recapitalization!
• Own all site automation systems.
• Work closely with key customers in operations, quality control, IT, and process development to ensure regulatory compliance and prompt customer service.
• Communicate and collaborate with technical and management staff within Operations, Engineering, MSAT, and Quality
• Support and meet departmental, plant, and Corporate EHS goals.
• Promote and maintain a safe working environment for the team and customers.
• Provide verbal and written feedback on employee performance and set employee objectives aligned with departmental goals and employee career development.
• Ensure skills of the Automation team are aligned with the everchanging automation requirements, anticipated gaps, and upskilling where appropriate.

Requirements:

• Bachelors in Engineering (Chemical, Biotechnology, Mechanical, or Electrical) a minimum; Higher Education is preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant industry experience is required and a Lean / Six Sigma certification is desirable
• Upstream and Downstream unit operations (centrifugation, filtration, precipitation, chromatography, bioreactors, CIP/SIP, mass flow technology, etc.) are desirable.
• 8+ years troubleshooting process automated systems in Biotech/Pharma Process.
• Experience with single-use manufacturing technology operations and troubleshooting desirable.
• 5+ years managing a team and working with direct reports
• Experience writing reports for senior colleagues outlining new concepts, testing outcomes, and ongoing efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain clear and accurate documentation of process equipment or manufacturing processes.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong skills and experience in MS Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Computer literacy in a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Software) such as Blue Mountain or a similar computer-based maintenance program is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work on assignments that are moderately complex in nature where judgment is required in resolving problems and making routine recommendations to management.
• Knowledgeable of Electrical, Mechanical, Control/SCADA, PLCs, and AC / DC drive systems.
• Knowledge of IT/OT network segregation and contemporary data security requirements shared responsibility with Information Technology.
• Expertise in industrial control system protocols, (ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, Profinet, BacNet, and Ethernet/IP), DCS (Delta-V), Process Improvement Methodologies, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• In-depth knowledge of documentation requirements for cGMP manufacturing.
• Demonstrated good interpersonal skills, customer focus, and professionalism.
• Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot engineering drawings, P&IDs, and electrical schematics.
• Knowledge of biologics-related production equipment.
• Quality – GMP experience within a pharmaceutical / or food manufacturing environment
• Lean, continuous improvement, and cost reduction methods and implementation.
• Management and development of budgets

Benefits:

• Full Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 401K + Matching
• PTO
• Bonuses
• Relocation Assistance (Applicable if needed)