Associate Director, Automation Engineering

Job Description

General

Summary:

Vertex's Automation of Machinery and Processes (AMP) Team is seekinga high-impact leaderto develop cutting-edgemanufacturingsolutions forits Cell & Genetic Therapies programs.

This pivotal role is at the forefront of automating complex processes in one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving fields in biotechnology. You willwork with a passionate team of engineers, scientists, and innovators united by a shared mission: to push the boundaries ofwhat'spossible inCell & Genetic Therapy. This critical position will lead an interdisciplinary engineering team in novel equipment & systems development, vendor selection, equipment qualification, technology transfer, and continuous improvement to deliver robust and reliable manufacturing systems.

Key

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of equipment and automation engineers involved in the design, development, deployment, and qualification of custom automation equipment and operation technology systems used for the development and manufacture of cell and genetic therapies.

• Lead Equipment, System, and Automaton Projects from concept through execution in a dynamic development environment. Ensures user requirements are clearly defined and translated into achievable and testable engineering requirements.

• Manage and execute the development of mechanical, electrical, and controls systems for capital equipment. Define automation execution strategy from concept feasibility through commercial deployment. Present to senior leadership as required.

• Responsible for active oversight of the equipment / system design and commissioning process. Collaborate with vendors to produce prototype and production parts. Perform engineering analyses and relevant physical testing on designs.

• Utilize operations simulation tools to identify and quantify automation opportunities.

• Ensures seamless integration of automation control systems into existing enterprise systems.

• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting assistance to manufacturing in support of a rapid development cycle and manufacturing sustainability.

• Collaborates with manufacturing engineering to define, manage, and continuously improve equipment performance, preventative maintenance plans, and spare parts lists/inventory.

• Evaluate and recommend automation upgrades to existing equipment or systems. Prioritize projects and assign resources to complete projects on‑time and within budget.

• Review and/or draft Equipment Drawings, Electrical Diagrams, System Manuals, Engineering Protocols and Reports, Validation Documentation, and other Quality System Documentation.

• Develop departmental procedures for development and documentation of automated systems, from specifications through operational procedures.

• Support Deviation Management, CAPA, and Change Control activities, as required. Serve as Automation SME to Quality, Manufacturing, and other Functions. Support manufacturing investigations, including OOSs, OOTs, RCAs, etc.

• Execute assigned duties on time and within budget; proactively telegraph delays and other issues to relevant stakeholders.

• Comply with all regulatory, corporate, and Quality System policies and complete other projects and/or assignments as required.

Knowledge and

Skills:

• High degree of electromechanical aptitude with prior experience in designing and implementing automated precision manufacturing equipment, including integration of vision systems and robotics, in bioprocessing, medical device, pharmaceutical, automotive, semiconductor, or diagnostic systems.

• Ability to organize and grow a team through organizational change and personnel development.

• Experience with automation and equipment business case definition, vendor selection and management, automation and equipment design, development, commissioning, and validation. Experience developing and executing equipment strategy from concept to deployment.

• Experience working with a variety of automation hardware, software and applications including, but not limited to, custom-fabricated mechanical components and mechanisms, single-use bioreactors and bioprocessing instruments, vision systems, robotics, AMR and AGV, control systems (PLC, DeltaV, PC), AI-enabled systems, and related control system components, pneumatics, automated process instrumentation.

• Proficiency in AI tools and applications with experience developing for lab and manufacturing applications.

• Experience qualifying/validating/deploying manufacturing equipment and processes is required. Knowledge and experience in…