Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Cleanroom: no hair products, jewelry, makeup, nail polish, perfume, exposed piercings, facial hair etc... allowed, Laboratory Setting, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Working at heights
Job Description
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
How will you make an impact?
The Staff Technical Project Engineer – Automation plays a leading role in delivering automation, data, and digital transformation projects across Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Drug Substance manufacturing network.
This senior engineer will own and drive complex automation and data integration projects, including SCADA, DCS, MES, and data capture/historization systems that form the foundation of the Connected Plant strategy. The role requires both deep technical expertise and strong change leadership — ensuring new systems are successfully implemented, adopted, and sustained by end users.
You will be a key enabler of Thermo Fisher’s digital plant maturity roadmap, advancing connectivity, visibility, and data integrity across our global manufacturing network.
What will you do?
- Lead automation and data projects across the DSD manufacturing sites, from concept and design through commissioning, validation, and user adoption
- Own technical delivery of SCADAs(Ignition, Wonderware etc ), DCSs (Emerson DeltaV), MESs ( PharmaSuite, OpCenter, MasterControl etc), and data capture/historization systems (OPC, Aveva PI, Kepware, Litmus etc).
- Design and deploy data collection architectures that enable secure, reliable data flow from shop-floor automation systems to enterprise analytics platforms.
- Champion change management and adoption, ensuring stakeholders and site users fully embrace new digital solutions.
- Define and enforce standards for system design, configuration, and data management consistent with GMP, GAMP 5, Annex 11 and 22, 21 CFR Part 11, and cybersecurity best practices.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with process engineering, IT/OT, validation, and operations to deliver integrated, business-ready solutions.
- Manage vendors and system integrators, ensuring adherence to technical specifications, schedule, and cost.
- Drive the Connected Plant and digital enablement strategy, increasing plant maturity and improving data visibility across the Drug Substance network
- Travel frequently (>50%) to provide on-site leadership, support project execution, and facilitate system handover and training.(May reduce significantly if located near a key production site)
How will you get here?
Education:
- BS or higher in Engineering (Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, or Software Engineering) or related technical field required.
- Advanced degree and/or certifications (PMP, ISA, GAMP) preferred.
Required experience:
- 6+ years of progressive experience in automation, process control, or digital manufacturing within a regulated (GMP) environment.
- Proven record of leading automation and/or data infrastructure projects across multiple facilities or business units.
- Strong experience with at least one of the following systems: Emerson DeltaV, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Ignition, (Other level 2/3 systems would also be considered)
Preferred experience:
- Expertise in data integration, capture, and historization systems (OPC Kepware, Litmus, Aveva PI).
- Familiarity with IT/OT infrastructure including Virtualization, VLANs, network segregation, and cybersecurity.
- Demonstrated leadership in change management, stakeholder alignment, and user adoption of new technologies
- Biopharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated involvement in digital transformation or connected manufacturing programs
- Working in a FDA/EMA regulated industry, particularly one adhering to GAMP 5, Annex 11 and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Excellent communication and influencing skills across all organizational levels.
- Ability to translate technical objectives into business outcomes and adoption strategies.
- Strong project management and problem-solving abilities; able to manage multiple concurrent priorities.
- Self-starter, results-oriented, and comfortable working independently in a matrixed environment.
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively (>50%) to support network-wide project execution as needed.