Automation Engineer

Work Schedule

Standard Office Hours (40/wk)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Fluctuating Temps hot/cold, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Standing for full shift

Title: Automation Engineer

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.

Division/Site Specific Information

As an Automation Engineer at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Allentown, PA, you will play a crucial role in driving IT/OT convergence, ensuring seamless integration of manufacturing equipment with network connectivity. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing computerized systems in Allentown and other Clinical Trials Division (CTD) sites. This position offers the opportunity to lead the integration of IT and OT systems, optimizing production processes, and implementing cutting-edge technologies to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Discover Impactful Work:

You will work with cross-functional teams to identify hardware, software, and network architecture needs, focusing on the convergence of IT and OT systems. Your responsibilities will include assisting with scaling automation initiatives, particularly for packaging equipment and related systems. You'll support system data collection, analysis, and visualization to guide process enhancements, and partner with Business Leads and IT-OT Automation COP to support project teams in developing and improving process automation with IT-supported applications.

As a technical mentor in automation, you'll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support long-term automation strategies, participating in design reviews, project meetings, and technical discussions. You'll develop User Requirement Specifications (URS) for new equipment and systems, ensuring compatibility with established network connectivity frameworks. Additionally, you'll develop strategies for upgrading existing equipment to achieve network connectivity and support all phases of equipment qualification and process validation.

Your analytical skills and engineering expertise will be crucial in monitoring the performance of newly deployed systems, providing technical support to site-level engineers and technicians, and recommending improvements for efficiency and scalability. You'll stay updated with emerging automation technologies and propose improvements to keep Thermo Fisher Scientific at the forefront of IT/OT integration in manufacturing.

A Day in the Life:

• Lead the integration of IT and OT systems by identifying hardware, software, and network architecture.

• Assist with scaling automation initiatives including equipment selection and designing of automation architecture, particularly for packaging equipment and related systems

• Support system data collection, analysis, and visualization to guide process enhancements

• Partner with Business Leads and IT-OT Automation COP to support project teams in developing and improving process automation with IT-supported applications

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to serve as a technical mentor in automation and support long-term automation strategies, participating in design reviews, project meetings, and technical discussions

• Develop User Requirement Specifications (URS) for new equipment and systems to ensure new equipment compatibility with the established network connectivity framework.

• Develop strategy for upgrading existing equipment to achieve network connectivity

• Support all phases of equipment qualification and process validation. Assist with training and support of staff on new and upgraded equipment, including technical documentation such as design specifications, test plans, and user manuals

• Monitor the performance of newly deployed systems and provide technical support and guidance to site-level engineers and technicians. Recommend improvements for efficiency and scalability

• Stay updated with emerging automation technologies and propose improvements

Keys to Success:

Education

• BS degree required . Preferred Fields of Study: Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial or related field)

• Advanced degree highly preferred.

• Prof essional Engineer (PE) license or relevant certifications beneficial.

• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

Experience

• Advanced Degree plus 2 years of experience, or Bachelor's Degree plus 4-5 years of experience in manufacturing engineering in regulated industries (pharmaceutical, medical device, or similar) required.

• Experience with automation systems, PLCs, and manufacturing control systems and SCADA.

• Experience with risk assessment methodologies and root cause analysis.

• Experience with CAD software and manufacturing documentation systems.

• Experience supporting engineers and technicians.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong knowledge of GMP, ISO standards, and regulatory requirements

• Expertise in process validation, equipment qualification, and change control management

• Proficient in statistical analysis and continuous improvement methodologies

• Strong project management skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams

• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and cost reduction initiatives

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic manufacturing environment

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and relevant engineering software

• Ability to travel up to 20% as needed

• Must be able to work in cleanroom environments when required

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and tools