Lead Automation Engineer - Process

Build the future of cell therapy manufacturing

The opportunity  - Rockville, MD

Imagine creating the intelligent automation that helps bring advanced cell therapies to patients with greater reliability, speed, and precision. As Senior Automation Engineer – Cell Therapy, you will be a trusted technical leader for high-impact projects and daily manufacturing operations across our Cell Therapy network. You will combine automation, operational technology, robotics, data, and GMP expertise to turn pioneering concepts into dependable manufacturing capability. 

Your impact

Why this role matters

Based at our Rockville, Maryland site, you will join Facilities and Engineering at a defining moment: the first-of-its-kind implementation of a robotic manufacturing cluster. You will shape the network infrastructure, software and hardware integrations, operating strategy, and lifecycle support that make this platform reliable, compliant, secure, and ready to scale. Lean ways of working and standardized methods will help you simplify complexity, improve performance, and focus effort where it creates the greatest value. Because these capabilities support continuous manufacturing operations, the role participates in a shared 24/7 on-call support model. 

What you will do

• Lead Automation and Operational Technology OT strategy for the site’s first-of-its-kind robotic manufacturing cluster, serving as the primary technical authority and a trusted partner to Manufacturing, Quality, IT, Engineering, and external suppliers. 

• Own and administer critical Automation/OT platforms, including Environmental and Equipment Monitoring Systems, the Process Orchestration Layer, the robotics cluster, and integrated process equipment. 

• Solve complex automation, OT, and robotics challenges, restore performance quickly, and maintain systems in a secure, reliable, and GMP-validated state. 

• Guide equipment lifecycle decisions—from concept, design, and integration through FAT, SAT, commissioning, qualification, validation, maintenance, upgrades, and replacement. 

• Design and continuously improve equipment startup logic, sequences of operation, system architecture, data flows, alarms, notifications, and interfaces for facility and manufacturing assets. 

• Leverage artificial intelligence AI, system and equipment data to identify root causes, anticipate risk, improve reliability, and advance real-time process control. 

• Develop sound capital and operating cost estimates that help leaders prioritize strategic investments. 

• Advance energy-management automation and other continuous-improvement opportunities that strengthen operational and environmental performance. 

• Share expertise, mentor colleagues, and help build enduring automation and robotics capability across the organization. 

What you bring - Essential Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. 

• Five or more years of experience implementing and sustaining process automation or OT systems in manufacturing, laboratory, energy-management, or similarly complex environments. 

• Hands-on experience integrating robotic systems with third-party manufacturing equipment; experience applying artificial intelligence to process execution or real-time control is highly valued. 

• Demonstrated capability across the system lifecycle, including ideation, design, implementation, FAT/SAT, commissioning, qualification, validation, and ongoing support in a GMP-regulated environment. 

• Working knowledge of automation architecture, data flows, configuration, alarm management, remote notifications, and industrial integration standards such as OPC, Modbus, BACnet, Ethernet, hardwired interfaces, and parsers. 

• Experience with relevant platforms and equipment such as Rockwell, Siemens, COPA-DATA Zenon, process orchestration, historians, electronic batch records, or cell therapy manufacturing systems. 

• Familiarity with system integration, data integrity, and zero-trust cybersecurity principles in a regulated environment. 

• A structured, curious approach to troubleshooting and the judgment to balance operational urgency with GMP requirements. 

• Clear communication and collaborative leadership across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. 

Additional experience that will help you thrive

• Experience with maintenance-management platforms such as SAP in cell therapy, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical manufacturing. 

• Relevant certifications in process automation, robotics, Rockwell, Siemens, COPA-DATA, industrial networking, cybersecurity, or related disciplines. 

Bring your whole perspective

If this opportunity excites you, we encourage you to apply—even if your experience does not align with every preferred qualification. We value people who combine technical depth with curiosity, sound judgment, and a commitment to learning. Join us to build automation that can redefine how cell therapies are manufactured and delivered. 

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $108,194.40 - $162,291.60. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted

04-Sep-2026

Closing Date

24-Sep-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.