Senior Automation Engineer

About the Department

At Novo Nordisk, we want to make a difference. For nearly 100 years, we have led the way in diabetes care. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on life-changing careers, and the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

In Clayton, NC, we now operate two adjacent pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities that are responsible for fulfilling different steps in our injectable and oral treatment supply chains. 

Our Clayton, NC Injectable Finished Products (IFP) facility is a 457,000 square foot aseptic "fill and finish" site that is responsible for producing innovative, injectable diabetes and obesity treatments. When you work at IFP, you’ll join a global network of manufacturing professionals focused on several key, final production processes, including sterile formulation, filling, inspection, device assembly and packaging.

At IFP, our employees are passionate about what they do, knowing their work makes a difference to millions of people who rely on our products every day. After all, producing medicines is a special responsibility.

Join Team Novo Nordisk and help us make what matters.

Position Purpose

Support successful design & implementation of automation for process or utility systems. Provide input, review & approve design & requirement specifications. Secure proper & efficient implementation & qualification. Support production & other stakeholders. Improve reliability of the process control systems to meet current & projected customer, business & regulatory requirements through the following activities: people focus, equipment focus & standards “Gatekeeper.”

Accountabilities

• Develop & manage plans to maintain & improve process control systems
• Support & manage implementation of systems & interfaces
• Support & manage corporate, product supply, DFP, stakeholder & departmental initiatives/projects
• Schedule & execute plans in coordination with manufacturing schedules
• Operate as automation lead on projects that involve process control systems
• Assist with developing & managing budgets for maintaining & improving process control systems
• Develop & maintain automation standards, specifications & maintenance plans
• Own self development & initiative to understand the site process control systems
• Adhere to the automation standards & establish new automation standards when necessary
• Lead the site in establishing automation direction & strategy (hardware & software standards)
• Lead troubleshooting for automation-related downtime
• Function as a subject matter expert (SME) for assigned areas/technologies
• Support audits & inspections as SME for process control systems
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of stakeholder management
• Coach & train colleagues & stakeholders in relevant areas/develop training material when necessary
• Utilize the appropriate cLEAN® tools when relevant
• Manage assignments with a quality mindset that focuses on risk management & mitigation
• Ensure the quality of systems adheres to company standards; adhere to change management standards
• Other accountabilities, as assigned

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in engineering/related field or equivalent combination of experience & education
• Minimum ten (10) years of engineering experience in process-based manufacturing, utility &/or packaging systems
• Experience troubleshooting automation & control systems & batch processes
• Experience working in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
• Knowledgeable in SCADA (i.e. iFix, Ignition, FactoryTalk), PLC & HMI (Rockwell/AB, Siemens, etc.), historian/data collections
• Programming & configuration of process control systems
• Windows based operating systems & associated applications
• System interfacing & integration & user access management
• Proven expertise in planning/organization & project execution. Strong in following up on results & revising work plans

Desired Qualifications

• Virtual machines/environments (preferably VMWare)
• Knowledgeable in Oracle, MS SQL
• IT competencies to an understanding level: domain, networking, firewall, group policies/permissions, system backup & restore
• Knowledgeable in MES (PAS-X, etc.); MS SQL, databases

Physical & Other Requirements

• Occasionally moves equipment &/or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds within the facility using various body positions
• Routinely operates & inspects manufacturing equipment using hands
• Ability to be on feet for up to a 12-hour shift
• Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder to service equipment & can work atop elevated positions
• Ability to work in confined spaces & near operating equipment
• Corrected vision to 20/30 &/or ability to pass vision screening assessment necessary to procure motorized vehicle license
• Occasionally works around odorous &/or hazardous materials
• May be required to wear latex gloves
• Ability to work in loud noise environments with hearing protection
• May be required to work for short periods of time with respiratory protection
• Ability to travel internationally, if necessary
• Ability to work in an open office environment with the possibility of frequent distraction
• Ability to work the hours necessary to support a 24/7 continuous manufacturing operation

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

Novo Nordisk requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Novo Nordisk will consider requests for reasonable accommodation.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.