Senior Automation Engineer

As a privately-owned, biopharmaceutical company, Ferring pioneers and delivers life-changing therapies that help people build families and live better lives. Our independence helps us cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit and long-term perspective that enables us to achieve growth and scale, while remaining agile and true to our 'people first' philosophy. Built on a 70-year plus commitment to science and research, Ferring is relentless in its pursuit of science that drives powerful discoveries and therapies to help people build families, stay healthy, and stand up to the world's oldest enemy: disease.

The Senior Automation Engineer is responsible for the technical automation support and lifecycle management of FPGs automated systems. This role will serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for designing, implementing, integrating, maintaining and optimizing Ferring's automation technologies that control, monitor and support the manufacturing process and associated utilities. The Automation Senior Engineer will provide leadership for automation project execution from concept, specification, development, integration, testing to start-up; and will require direct interface with project teams and clients to ensure alignment with project objectives.

This role is also responsible for driving technical improvements, while ensuring compliance with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

With Ferring, you will be joining a recognized leader, identified as one of "The World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company, and honored by Fortune with inclusion on its "Change the World List," for addressing society's unmet needs. Ferring US is also Great Places to Work Certified, distinguishing it as one of the best companies to work for in the country.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for interfacing with department leadership and project managers to ensure appropriate level of technical support and direction are provided. This position will work closely with the Process Engineering, IT and validation & QA teams to set directions for standardized and optimized automation engineering practices associated with process and facilities equipment.

• Responsible for providing support to Manufacturing and Packaging teams related to automation issues.

• Responsible to work with Global IT / OT team in establishing harmonized OT solutions across manufacturing entities.

• Responsible for the support and execution of automation qualification and applicable software validation. Maintain the safe and qualified automation design and operation of process and facilities equipment. Manage the design and implementation of automated systems and perform the qualification or validation steps (FAT, SAT, commissioning, IQ, OQ and PQ) according to GAMP 5.

• Provide oversight on automation engineering design standards and practices. Local project management and oversight of inter-related activities including resource planning, tasks assignment and priorities.

• Establish and maintain technical standards and SOPs for automated systems and equipment (Building, Manufacturing and packaging equipment), and associated network infrastructure. Implement updates of the systems, coordinate/perform the preventive and corrective maintenance on automated systems; update the technical and validation documentation after modifications on systems.

• Provide investigational and problem-solving support to end users/shop floor, with a focus on system enhancement and sustainability to prevent future occurrence of system issues. Assist with investigation documentation and impact assessments, assist in identification and execution corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).

• Author and Update technical documentation such as Design Specifications, System Administration SOPs, System Reviews, etc. via document control system.

Requirements:

• Degree in Engineering (Electrical, Computer Science, etc.) or related field.

• 8+ years of experience in designing, programming and maintenance of control systems and data acquisition systems, preferably in GxP Environment.

• In-depth knowledge and experience in the following area of responsibility: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Process, Engineering Design, Capital Project Mgt, Project Scope Definition, Budget Preparation and Management, On-Demand Operational Support.

• Expertise in Software Lifecycle Mgt & Documentation, Technical evaluations, and Drafting & Executing Test Plans within GxP environment; strong knowledge of GAMP 5.

• Familiarity with ISA S88/S95 standards.

• Preferred: Knowledge of SCADA, Ignition 8.1, Data Historian, OSI PI, MES, Industry 4.0, IIoT, and Smart Manufacturing technologies, Allen Bradley Control Logix, Siemens SIMATIC, Rockwell Automation (AB Control Logix), OPC/UA, MQTT, TCP/IP Protocol and standards.

Physical Job Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around the facility for extended periods.

• Frequent bending, kneeling, and reaching to inspect or troubleshoot equipment.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25-50 lbs occasionally (e.g., tools, parts, or equipment).

• Ability to climb stairs and ladders to access elevated platforms or automation systems.

• Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, gloves, steel-toed boots, and hearing protection as required.

Ferring + you

At Ferring, we offer competitive total compensation along with an exceptional range of flexible benefits, personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work. From working hours that respect your lifestyle, a culture that is welcoming and equitable, and the chance to work with the industry's most impressive people, these are just some of the ways we live our "People First" philosophy.

Our Compensation and Benefits

At Ferring, base salary is one part of our competitive total compensation and benefits package and is determined using a salary range. The base salary range for this role is $106,000 to $136,000, which is the reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount paid may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education and primary work location. Additional compensation for this role will be provided based on competitive annual incentive compensation targets in the form of an annual bonus - payouts are based on individual and company performance.

Benefits for this role include comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with a premium differential, inverse to base salary, to be paid by employees, a 401k plan and company match, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellness benefits, reimbursement for certain tuition expenses, sick time of 1 hour per 30 hours worked, vacation time for full time employees to accrue up to 120 hours in the first four (4) years of employment, and 160 hours in the fifth (5th) year of employment as well as 15 paid holidays per year. We are proud to offer paid parental leave subject to a minimum period of employment at Ferring.

Ferring is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local laws.

Join our team and your voice will be heard, and your contributions will be valued. If you love to come up with new ways to make a positive difference and see them through, you will fit right in.

We are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (including Disability/Protected Veterans). We maintain a drug-free workplace.