Automation and Control Engineer

Company: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US)
Location: Boston
Posted on: September 17, 2020

Job Description:

The Automation and Control Engineer will be a part of the VCGT (vertex Cell and Gene Therapy) Facility Operations team dedicated to supporting Vertex facility design, construction, commissioning, qualification and ongoing MEP/ Clean utility system operation, Maintenance and Calibration Programs and Engineering support including change control for facility and equipment.

This position is primarily responsible for Automation Engineering support of the VCGT Facility troubleshooting and optimizing the stand alone, skid-based PLC automation systems on the cell and gene product manufacturing equipment sets owned by Manufacturing Operations as well as Facility and Utility equipment owned by Facility Operations. The role will also the liaison with equipment vendors and responsible for that relationship.

This individual will have the ability to understand and communicate Cell and Gene Therapy manufacturing process information in order to review the design of control systems and troubleshoot issues as they arise. The successful candidate will collaborate cross functionally to evaluate problems, document and recommend solutions, create change control and test plan paperwork, and implement approved changes. This person will support daily operations, commissioning, qualification and validation activities while working in cross-functional teams. The candidate will interface with GIS, Cell and Gene Therapy PD and GMP Manufacturing, Quality and Validation departments as well as functional area leads within Facility Operations including Maintenance, Metrology, EHSS, Planning and Scheduling and Lab support to provide timely and cost-effective automation solutions.

Additionally, this person will assist in design and implementation of an alarm notification and response strategy which will employ OSI PI or equivalent qualified monitoring and alarm notification system. This position contributes to the VCGT Facility Operations team by working with other groups to identify process control gaps and rectify them through an approved change control process. A goal for this position is to identify continuous improvement opportunities and manage them from conception through implementation.

The desired candidate will be responsible for version control for PLC programming and critical VFD parameter management as well as the qualified Facility Alarm response system including BMS (Johnson Controls) and EMS (Veriteq or equivalent). Candidates must understand P&IDs, wiring diagrams and I/O configuration, system networking and field devices including VFDs, as well as Ethernet networking and security. The successful candidate will be working in a multidisciplinary cross-functional environment, where Fearless Pursuit of Excellence and We wins have become everyday values.

Key Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:

* Deliver automation and controls support for daily operations and troubleshooting on the cell and gene therapy PD and GMP Manufacturing equipment and other facility related stand-alone equipment * Provide automation and controls expertise for delivery of cell and gene therapy manufacturing campaigns in a cGMP environment * Use effective communication skills to provide process control options and strategies as part of a matrix team to improve system performance * Develop and execute validation protocols * Write technical reports and/or presentations relevant to processing activities and present to various levels of management and regulatory authorities * Effectively multitask and demonstrate resourcefulness in running multiple activities concurrently

Minimum Requirements: - A degree in chemical or electrical engineering or related field advanced degree desirable - 7-10 years PLC programming experience, with progressive levels of responsibility and accountability. - Experience with commissioning and validation of a biopharmaceutical process is strongly desired. - Instrumentation and Controls experience - Experience working with networked servers and clients, VMware, Remote Desktop, and interfacing with corporate IT is desired. - Inventive and innovative, self-starter with a can-do attitude comfortable and successful working in undefined areas - Experience in being a part of large matrix technical teams with collaboration, mentoring and shared responsibility for successful outcomes under accelerated timelines #LI-JF1

Keywords: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US), Boston , Automation and Control Engineer, Engineering , Boston, Massachusetts