Director Of Engineering Automation

Use Your Power For Purpose

This opportunity plays an influential role in driving proactive technical capabilities in an innovative culture at Sanford enabling Pfizer's Purpose: Breakthroughs that change patients' lives. This role affords an unparalleled opportunity for the candidate to share in the long-term site automation strategy at a key manufacturing facility. This role will be working closely with site leaders, Pfizer Digital, and Pfizer Global Engineering to establish a vision and implement, improve and sustain systems that protect and support site operations. This role will work collaboratively with all functions within the site to ensure world class production of medicines.

Role Summary

The Director of Engineering Automation is responsible for managing a high-performance automation engineering team that directly and indirectly supports all quality control, warehouse, utilities, manufacturing, and MSAT at the Sanford site. Position is responsible for strategic planning in the automation space, automation delivery on strategic and baseline capital projects, developing and managing a highly technical team of automation engineers including other people leader(s). Position provides strategic input into cGMP related functions such as Computer System Assurance and Data Integrity. Position interfaces above site and across the Drug Substance Cluster network to ensure Sanford is aligned with Pfizer Automation strategies and concepts, including cyber-security. Position represents the functional area to the site leadership team and is expected to have an organization-wide perspective for all programs involving his/her functional area and to set priorities, accordingly, based on site and Company objectives.

This role has accountability for the following:

• Talent management (automation space)
• Project management
• Subject matter expertise for facilities, equipment and controls
• Automation systems such as Delta V, PI Historian, BMS, etc
• Engineering input in problem solving
• Continuous improvement activities
• Change management
• Engineering regulatory compliance

What You Will Achieve

• Provides strategic leadership and guidance for the design and maintenance of automation systems at the Sanford site. Supports strategic capital projects for the design and operation of equipment, facility and controls as well as ownership of key automation systems in compliance with internal guidance & external regulations.
• Provides leadership, supervision and performance management to direct reports and subordinate organization(s). Establishes team goals, objectives and performance expectations for direct reports and the department. Provide priorities, ongoing feedback and recognition.
• Responsible for personnel activities of the department such as recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, succession planning and salary adjustments. Monitors department personnel progress in accomplishing assigned project objectives, quality, budget and scheduled commitments. Provides counseling to colleagues as needed and assures that appropriate training is provided to department colleagues. Enforces company and departmental policies and procedures.
• Establishes contacts across the Pfizer network and externally within the industry to share best practices for automation systems and controls, cyber-security, data integrity, etc.
• Adheres to and enforces all site safety standards. Participates in safety training events and ensures that all staff safety training is completed in a timely manner.
• Ensures the department adheres to cGMP requirements and is fully trained in all relevant policies and procedures as well as all federal and global regulations.
• Provides feedback to peers and colleagues in other departments, and actively supports activities such as safety, continuous improvement and recognition.

Here Is What You Need

(Minimum Requirements)

• A minimum of a BS in an engineering or information technology discipline with at least 8 years relevant experience or advanced degree with at least 7 years relevant experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry. Relevant experience in a biotech or biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment could be obtained in Engineering, Information Technology or Computer Validation.
• At least 5 years of direct supervisory-level or managerial-level experience is required.
• Candidate should have strong administrative, managerial, computer, and presentation skills.
• The incumbent should also have experience with DeltaV, PI Historian, building management systems (BMS), and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Candidate should demonstrate the highest technical and managerial competency and should demonstrate the capability to assume higher managerial posts.
• In addition to scope of responsibility, other factors impacting level include technical complexity, budgetary accountability, level of interpersonal/outside contacts, and critical thinking/decision making ability.

Bonus Points If You Have

(Preferred Requirements)

• A thorough understanding of the 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance regulations is a must.
• Experience in project management and/or qualification/verification is preferred.

Physical/Mental Requirements

Position requirements are typical for an office-based work environment with routine excursions to job sites, server rooms, and utility or laboratory areas. There are no unusual physical or mental requirements for this position.

Non-Standard Work Schedule, Travel or Environment Requirements

Position would typically work a routine weekly work schedule but travel to other Pfizer sites, industry conferences and other events would be normal and expected. Night or weekend work may occasionally be required to meet project deadlines and ensure the plan of record is achieved.

Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

Other Job Details:

• Last day to Apply: September 22nd, 2025
• Work Location Assignment: On Premise
• Relocation support available

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $156,600.00 to $261,000.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 20.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life's moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.