About this role
Bachem is a leading, innovation-driven company specializing in the development and manufacture of peptides and oligonucleotides. With over 50 years of experience and expertise Bachem provides products for research, clinical development and commercial application to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of services. Bachem operates internationally with headquarters in Switzerland and locations in Europe, the US and Asia. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. For further information, see www.bachem.com. A brief overview The Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering leads the automation engineering function supporting manufacturing, utilities, facilities, and capital projects within a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. This role provides leadership and technical direction for the automation team and is responsible for automation strategy, engineering standards, project execution, system compliance, and continuous improvement of automation and digital manufacturing technologies. In partnership with Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities, Quality, Validation, Maintenance, IT/OT, and Global Automation teams, the incumbent ensures automation systems are reliable, compliant, scalable, and aligned with business objectives. This role also oversees resources, budgets, vendors, and project priorities to support safety, quality, operational efficiency, reliability, and long-term site performance. What you will do Lead and manage the automation engineering team responsible for automation systems supporting batch processing tanks, solvent recovery systems, filter dryers, HPLCs, filtration systems, lyophilizers, ultra-low freezers, HVAC, solvent distribution and recovery systems, compressed air, purified water, wastewater systems, BMS, SCADA, PLC, historian, and related manufacturing and utility systems. Provide leadership and technical oversight for automation scope within strategic investment projects, capital projects, process improvements, equipment installations, upgrades, and system expansions from concept through design, implementation, commissioning, qualification, validation, and turnover to operations. Develop, own, and execute the site automation strategy, including automation standards, system lifecycle management, technology roadmaps, obsolescence planning, platform harmonization, and alignment with Global Automation and Center of Excellence strategies. Ensure compliant design, implementation, qualification, change control, documentation, and lifecycle support of automation systems in accordance with company policies, cGMP expectations, FDA requirements, data integrity principles, cybersecurity requirements, and applicable industry standards. Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities, Maintenance, Validation, Quality, IT/OT, and external vendors to troubleshoot automation issues, improve system reliability, reduce downtime, optimize process performance, and support production needs. Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring, performance management, succession planning, training, and creation of procedures, job aids, standards, SOPs, and technical guidance for automation systems and practices. Manage automation department planning, resource allocation, vendor coordination, project priorities, budget inputs, schedules, risks, and stakeholder communication to ensure business objectives and project milestones are met.