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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Director, Automation - **Company:** Lonza, Inc. - **Location:** Walkersville, MD, United States (Remote available) - **Salary:** $203,400.0 - $237,300.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Cyber Security, Data Integrity, Digital Technology, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Data Streaming, System Testing, Systems Integration, Information Technology, Operational Systems, GXP - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/b501f85c-4d80-4883-8c44-562cdf1dfcb7 ## About the Role * Bachelor\'s degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences Engineering, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred * 12+ years of experience leading automation, OT, or digital manufacturing initiatives within pharmaceutical, API, biotechnology, chemical, or other GMP-regulated manufacturing environments * Experience supporting major capital investment projects, facility start-ups, greenfield or brownfield expansions, or large-scale manufacturing transformations * Strong knowledge of automation platforms, system integration, manufacturing execution systems (MES), SCADA/DCS/PLC technologies, and digital manufacturing solutions, and batch process control architectures * Demonstrated experience supporting small molecule drug substance or API, HPAPI, or complex chemical process manufacturing operations, including commissioning, qualification, validation, and commercial manufacturing readiness * Strong understanding of GMP regulations, Computer System Validation (CSV), GAMP 5 principles, data integrity requirements, and industrial cybersecurity standards * Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, IT/OT, MSAT, EHS, and Project Management organizations * Excellent communication, strategic planning, vendor management, and problem-solving skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership and project governance teams * Experience with ISA-88, ISA-95, and ISA/IEC 62443 frameworks, and batch process automation * Experience supporting multi-product API manufacturing or CDMO environments is preferred. * Experience integrating DCS, PLC, MES, historians, and enterprise systems across complex batch manufacturing facilities is preferred. * PMP, GAMP, automation, or related technical certifications * Experience supporting highly automated API, chemical, or small molecule manufacturing facilities * Ability and willingness to transition to an East Coast or Midwest U.S. site location as project needs evolve * Travel: Willingness and ability to travel to EMEA and NA at approximately 25-30% of the time to meet business objectives ## Description We are seeking a Director, Automation Lead to develop and execute the automation, digital systems, and operational technology (OT) strategy for an assigned U.S. growth investment project supporting small molecule drug substance manufacturing. This role serves as the primary automation leader throughout facility design, construction, commissioning, qualification, validation, start-up, and operational handover, ensuring systems are reliable, compliant, scalable, and ready to support GMP manufacturing from day one. * Lead the automation workstream for an assigned U.S. growth investment project, ensuring alignment with project milestones, operational requirements, and GMP expectations * Define the automation strategy, architecture, and digital manufacturing roadmap, including control systems, system integration, data flows, historians, MES, and reporting solutions * Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, IT/OT, CSV, and EHS teams to ensure automation requirements are incorporated into facility, process, and equipment design * Provide leadership for automation-related commissioning, qualification, computer system validation (CSV), and start-up readiness activities * Manage automation vendors, system integrators, and external partners to ensure quality execution, on-time delivery, and effective risk management * Ensure automation systems meet regulatory, GMP, data integrity, cybersecurity, and lifecycle management requirements * Identify and mitigate automation, digital, and operational technology risks while providing strategic recommendations to project leadership and governance teams * Establish the long-term automation support model, including organizational capability, training, knowledge transfer, and operational handover to the future site team ## Related Videos - [Blueprints for Success: Steering a Global Data & AI Architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1577-blueprints-for-success-steering-a-global-data-ai-architecture) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [Thinking Differently - How to Make Money from Cyber Attacks & Cheats](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/745-thinking-differently-how-to-make-money-from-cyber-attacks-cheats) - [Exploring 5 Key Applications of AI Abundance with Blockchain Assurance](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/971-exploring-5-key-applications-of-ai-abundance-with-blockchain-assurance) - [Enabling automated 1-click customer deployments with built-in quality and security](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/83-enabling-automated-1-click-customer-deployments-with-built-in-quality-and-security) - [Cyber Security: Small, and Large!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/259-cyber-security-small-and-large) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Now is the time for industrialized software development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/601-now-is-the-time-for-industrialized-software-development) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Top-Paying Tech Jobs (with Salaries)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/372-top-paying-tech-jobs-with-salaries) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)