AstraZeneca

Associate Director of Automation

AstraZeneca • $130K — $155K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Fluent English proficiency.
  • Expertise in SCADA/PLC or DCS systems, covering all project phases.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent experience (5+ years accepted).
  • Minimum 10 years of relevant industry experience.
  • Strong communication skills to engage with leaders and partners effectively.
  • Experience with IT/OT architectures and integration in manufacturing settings.

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical leadership in engineering technology domains to deliver advanced solutions.
  • Act as a subject matter expert for automation systems, ensuring project technical standards are met.
  • Lead technical solution delivery from design to shipping and stabilization phases.
  • Translate business requirements into effective technical strategies and implementation decisions.
  • Guide compliance with internal and industry standards throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Mentor engineers and support capability enhancement across sites.
  • Drive initiatives for technical improvement by identifying innovations and best practices.
  • Ensure compliance with safety, health, environment, and regulatory standards.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and mentoring.
  • Engagement with cutting-edge digital solutions in the manufacturing sector.
  • Collaboration with a diverse team of experts and stakeholders.
  • Exposure to innovative projects across multiple engineering domains.
Full Job Description
Typical Accountabilities

- Provide expert technical leadership across assigned engineering technology domains, contributing to the development, evaluation, and delivery of advanced technical solutions.

- Act as a subject matter expert for OT/automation systems or engineering technologies, supporting the execution of complex individual projects and ensuring technical and compliance standards are met.

- Lead or oversee the delivery of technical solutions from specification and design through commissioning and stabilization, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners.

- Translate business needs into technical strategies, influencing design decisions, technology selection, and implementation approaches.

- Guide the application of internal and industry standards (e.g., URS, DQ/FAT/SAT, GMP) throughout the project or solution lifecycle.

- Support capability development by mentoring engineers and sharing expertise within and across sites.

- Drive technical improvement initiatives by identifying innovations, applying best practices, and supporting standardization across the network.

- Ensure compliance of personal and team work with safety, health, environment (SHE), and regulatory requirements, including risk assessments and documentation.

- Energize and empower teams to effectively explore new digital solutions and practices that drive business value.

- May line manage a team.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Fluent English
  • Subject Matter Expertise of either SCADA/PLC or DCS to include specification, procurement, installation, start-up, and commissioning.
  • Bachelor's degree (equivalent experience of (5+) will be considered) in an Engineering related discipline.
  • YOE in field 10 years
  • Excellent communication skills including an ability to engage honestly and influentially with internal and external business leaders and partners.
  • Experience in one or more of the following:
    • IT and OT architectures for manufacturing environments
    • Integration with IT Systems
    • Warehouse Control Systems, AGVs, Robotics
    • Understanding of OT cybersecurity
    • Engineering standards development and governance

Desired:
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing areas including API, Biotechnology, Oral Solid Dosage, Formulation and Fill, Packaging, Medical Devices
  • Current GMP regulations and an understanding of regulatory agency expectations and current industry practices. Experience from a different, non-Pharma, regulated industry would also be relevant.


Date Posted
30-Sep-2026

Closing Date
30-Oct-2026

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs. The company was formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group plc. AstraZeneca's products are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. The company has operations in over 100 countries and employs more than 76,000 people worldwide. AstraZeneca is committed to developing innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of people around the world.
Learn more about AstraZeneca
Size
83,100 employees
Market Cap
$211.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+10.2%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

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