Principal Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Company Description

Abb Vie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.

For more information about Abb Vie, please visit us at  Follow @abbvie on Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and You Tube.

The Principal Automation Engineer will be responsible for identifying and developing automation technologies and Manufacturing control systems to improve site productivity and quality and safety performance. The Principal Automation Engineer will be the technical lead for automation development and the site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for new and existing Manufacturing control systems.

• Identify opportunities for automation improvements to Manufacturing productivity, quality, and EHS (environmental, health, and safety), including technology options, vendor identification, and project business cases.
• Develop moderate to complex control configuration or programming in accordance with design documents to meet functional requirements.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Automation Applications, leading the design and deployment of automated visual systems, aggregation, and other track and trace systems on packaging and manufacturing lines.
• Lead and support site digitalization, AI, robotics and Factory of the Future initiatives.
• Integrate vision inspection technologies (cameras, lighting, optics) with track and trace hardware (printers, scanners) to form a cohesive quality and identification system.
• Ensure seamless data flow and integration from vision and track-and-trace systems to control systems (PLCs, printers, scanners) and enterprise-level software (ERP or MES).
• Lead the development and execution of OT Systems lifecycle deliverables, including validation activities and associated documentation like System Functional and Design Specifications.
• Implement tools for OT Systems administration and maintenance, such as operating system (OS) and antivirus updates, user account management, and critical data backup.
• Establish project management techniques to monitor, report on, and control automation projects according to size and criticality (medium to large projects). Support capital projects when automation expertise is required.
• Conform to EHS management system requirements and compliance obligations, promote continuous improvement, and consider EHS aspects during the design and change process.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot OT System hardware, software, and networking issues, replace defective components as needed, and implement and validate OT systems upgrades and data migrations for DCS, PLCs, SCADA, and Data Historian systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field is required.
• Minimum 10 years experience developing and maintaining automation software and equipment and PLC systems in a manufacturing environment; AI and machine learning experience, including experience with new technology development for new product introductions.
• Direct experience with system development and validation, including development of system specifications (DS, FS, URS) and risk‑based validation strategies, and validation protocol development and execution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for automated systems in the pharmaceutical or medical device industries.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills and innovative thinking to develop and implement untested solutions.
• Ability to provide technical program leadership, including external vendor management and lead cross‑functional team including internal and external resources.

• Engineering degree is Highly Desired
• (10) years of experience with Automation Equipment specifically in SCADA and PLC programming in ladder logic and instructional texts is Highly Desired
• Experience with HMI graphics development and management is Highly Desired
• Experience…