Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Lonza in Vacaville is seeking a Senior Manager of Frontline Automation to lead the Frontline Automation Team within Site Engineering, supporting manufacturing operations across CCP1 and CCP2. This role is responsible for ensuring reliable, fit-for-purpose automation systems to meet production demands, while driving continuous improvement and system maintenance. The position oversees key frontline automation support and interfaces closely with operations, playing a critical role in talent development, cross-functional collaboration, and execution of automation strategy within one of the industry’s leading biologics manufacturing facilities.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of automation engineers, ensuring the automation systems for CCP1 and CCP2 are fit for purpose.
• Provide 24/7 operational monitoring and support to the manufacturing facility.
• Successfully implement continuous improvement changes and maintain automation systems.
• Coordinate support for process technical transfers, significant engineering changes, and on-floor testing.
• Develop and coordinate group objectives, aligning them with department and site goals.
• Prepare and communicate reports on group activities, schedules, resource needs, and budget updates to senior management.
• Attract, train, develop, and retain high-performing team members, encouraging a positive, team-centric environment.
• Ensure the manufacturing facility is in a continuous state of readiness for production and GMP audits.

Key requirements:

• Bachelor's or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, or Chemical Engineering.
• Proven experience leading automation projects and teams.
• Fundamental understanding of project management, including scheduling, budgets, and prioritization.
• High level of technical skills and knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) as they apply to biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities or equivalent regulation.
• Knowledge of Batch manufacturing concepts (S88, recipes, phases etc.) and OPC communication protocols
• Solid understanding and experience with Automation/Control Systems preferred (Honeywell, POMS, Rockwell PlantPaX and PharmaSuite , Aveva/Schneider Electric System Platform).

We recognize that attracting, developing, and retaining the best talent is key to our strategy and success as a company. As a result, we aim for flexibility in structuring competitive compensation offers to ensure that we are able to attract the best candidates. As required by law in this state, the quoted salary range for this position is $158,000-$268,000. We use broad salary ranges that reflect the competitive market for similar jobs, provide sufficient opportunity for growth as you gain experience and expand responsibilities; while also allowing for differentiation on performance based on the breadth of our ranges, most new hires will start at the company between the lower and the middle part of the applicable range. We tailor our offers within the range based on job-related factors, including organizational needs, internal equity, market data, geographic area and the selected candidate’s experience, education, industry knowledge, location, technical and/or communication skills and other factors that may prove relevant during the selection process. This range is only inclusive of base salary, and base pay is just one component of Lonza’s total compensation package for employees. Full-time employees are eligible to receive a performance-related bonus, as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental coverage, 401k plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off (PTO), and more.Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.