Sr Automation Engineer III

Job Description

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life‑changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Automation Engineer to support Biologics technical development, clinical, and manufacturing facilities.

• Lead the design, development, deployment, and lifecycle management of automation solutions using Emerson Delta
  
  V DCS, with emphasis on batch control (S88), recipe management, and phase logic execution.
• Support PI Historian system for real‑time and historical data collection, trending, Asset Framework creation, and analysis for process monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Integrate biologics laboratory, pilot, clinical, and manufacturing equipment/systems via APIs, OPC UA, and other protocols to ensure seamless data flow across R&D, clinical, and GMP environments.
• Support integration of DCS / Historian with MES platforms.
• Implement and manage automation changes in GMP environments, including hardware/software upgrades, vendor coordination, change control, and qualification/validation activities.
• Manage external contractors and third‑party integrators, including scope definition, performance monitoring, deliverable review, and budget/schedule oversight.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior automation engineers.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Technical Development, Manufacturing, QA, QC, IT) to deliver automation projects that meet cost, quality, timeline, and regulatory goals.
• Maintain comprehensive, compliant automation documentation (URS, FS, DS, SOPs, risk assessments, validation protocols).
• Lead validation and qualification efforts in collaboration with QA to ensure adherence to GAMP 5, 21 CFR Part 11, and Annex 11 requirements.

• Extensive hands‑on experience with Emerson Delta
  
  V DCS, including configuration of batch control, control/equipment modules, and phase logic.
• Proficiency in industrial protocols (OPC UA, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).
• Strong expertise in Aveva PI System (PI Adapters/interfaces, PI Data Archive, PI AF, PI Vision).
• Experience integrating DCS or Historian with MES (e.g., Apprentice Tempo MES or Werum PAS‑X).
• Proven background in GMP automation within biologics, cell/gene therapy, or large‑molecule manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience managing contractors and system integrators.
• Track record of mentoring junior engineers and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to rapidly learn and adopt new automation platforms, Cloud Services, and Dev Ops tools (e.g., Ignition SCADA, MQTT/Sparkplug, Git Hub).
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills; structured approach to root‑cause analysis.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to present complex concepts to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Must be able to work onsite at least 3 days per week.

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university with at least 10 years of relevant automation engineering experience in life sciences.
• OR MS…