Associate Director, Automation Engineering

Vertex Pharmaceuticals seeks an Associate Director of Automation Engineering to lead equipment and systems development for cell and genetic therapy manufacturing. The role involves directing an engineering team through design, deployment, and qualification of custom automation solutions while managing vendor relationships and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering team developing, designing, and qualifying custom automation equipment and control systems for cell and genetic therapy manufacturing
• Manage equipment and automation projects from concept through commercial deployment; define requirements and automation execution strategy
• Oversee mechanical, electrical, and controls system development; collaborate with vendors and perform engineering analyses and testing
• Support manufacturing operations through troubleshooting, maintenance planning, equipment performance optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop departmental procedures, documentation standards, and serve as automation subject matter expert for quality and manufacturing functions

Requirements

• PhD in mechanical, electrical, or automation engineering plus 5 years life sciences/manufacturing experience, or equivalent master's/bachelor's degree with 6-8 years experience
• Demonstrated expertise designing and implementing automated precision manufacturing equipment with robotics and vision system integration
• Experience qualifying, validating, and deploying manufacturing equipment in regulated environments
• Proficiency with control systems (PLC, DeltaV), bioprocessing instruments, robotics, and AI-enabled automation tools
• Knowledge of regulatory standards: ISO 13485, 21 CFR 820/211, equipment safety standards (OSHA, NFPA, ISO 18849-1)
• Strong project management, technical writing, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience with Veeva, Coupa, and MS Office business applications