Pfizer

Sr. Manager Automation Engineering

United States - North Carolina - Sanford Full time

Use Your Power for Purpose

Whether you are involved in the design and development of manufacturing processes for products or supporting maintenance and reliability, engineering is vital to making sure customers and patients have the medicines they need, when they need them. Working with our innovative engineering team, you will help bring medicines to the world even faster by imagining what’s possible and taking action. 

What You Will Achieve 

Sr. Manager Automation Engineering is responsible for managing a high-performance team that directly and indirectly supports all (vaccines and monoclonal antibodies) cGMP manufacturing operations at the Sanford site via the delivery of robust Automation Engineering Solutions. 

This role is accountable for delivering innovative Automation solutions, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and leading the Automation Engineering Manufacturing Team. 

Support the Automation Engineering Team in alignment with the Sanford site’s “Plant of the Future” strategy. 

Position provides strategic input into cGMP related functions such as Data Integrity. Position interfaces across the Pfizer network to ensure Sanford is aligned with Pfizer Automation Engineering Technology strategies and concepts. Position represents the functional area to senior management and is expected to have an organization-wide perspective for all programs involving his/her functional area and to set priorities, accordingly, based on site and Company objectives. 

This role has accountability for the following: 

  • Talent management. 

  • Project management. 

  • Subject matter expertise for facilities, equipment and controls. 

  • Automation systems such as Delta V, PI Historian. 

  • Engineering input in problem solving. 

  • Continuous improvement activities 

  • Engineering change management. 

  • Engineering regulatory compliance 

How You Will Achieve It 

  • Provides strategic leadership and guidance for the design and maintenance of all Automation systems (DeltaV, PLC, OEM) at the Sanford site. Supports strategic capital projects for the design and operation of equipment, facility and controls as well as ownership of key automation systems in compliance with internal guidance & external regulations. 

  • Provides leadership, supervision and performance management to the Manufacturing Automation Team. Establishes goals, objectives and performance expectations for direct reports. Provide priorities, ongoing feedback and recognition. 

  • Responsible for personnel activities of the team such as recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, succession planning and salary adjustments. Monitors department personnel progress in accomplishing assigned project objectives, quality, budget and scheduled commitments. Provides counseling to colleagues as needed and assures that appropriate training is provided to department colleagues. Enforces company and departmental policies and procedures. 

  • Establishes contacts across the Pfizer network and externally within the industry to share best practices for automation systems and controls, cyber-security, data integrity, etc. 

  • Adheres to and enforces all site safety standards. Participate in safety training events and ensure that all staff safety training is completed in a timely manner. 

  • Ensures the department adheres to cGMP requirements and is fully trained in all relevant policies and procedures as well as all federal and global regulations. 

  • Provides feedback to peers and colleagues in other departments, and actively supports activities such as safety, continuous improvement and recognition. 

Here Is What You Need (Minimum Requirements)

  • BS degree + 6 years of experience; MS + 5 years of experience in an engineering or scientific discipline with relevant experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry.

  • Relevant experience in a biotech or biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment could be obtained in Engineering, Quality, Technical Operations, Manufacturing or Development. 

  • At least 3 years of direct supervisory level is required. 

  • Candidate should have strong administrative, managerial, computer, and presentation skills.

  • The incumbent should also have experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, process equipment, project management, equipment automation and critical automation systems.

  • A thorough understanding of the relevant portions of cGMP regulations is required.

  • Experience in project management and/or qualification and verification is required. 

Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements)

  • Candidate demonstrates the highest technical and managerial competency and should demonstrate the capability to assume higher managerial posts. In addition to scope of responsibility, other factors impacting level include technical complexity, budgetary accountability, level of interpersonal/outside contacts, and critical thinking/decision making ability.​ 

  • Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact. 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Position requirements are typical for an office-based work environment with routine excursions to job sites and utility or manufacturing areas.  There are no unusual physical or mental requirements for this position. 

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Position would typically work a routine weekly work schedule but travel to other Pfizer sites, industry conferences and other events would be normal and expected.  Night or weekend work may occasionally be required to meet project deadlines. 
 

Other Job Details:

  • Last day to Apply: November 21st, 2025

  • Work Location Assignment: On Premise

  • Relocation support available

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $135,100.00 to $225,100.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 17.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

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

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.

Engineering