Sr. Automation Engineer - BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

Who We Are

BioMarin’s Technical Operations group is responsible for creating our drugs for use in clinical trials and for scaling production of those drugs for the commercial market. These engineers, technicians, scientists and support staff build and maintain BioMarin’s cutting-edge manufacturing processes and sites, provide quality assurance and quality control to ensure we meet regulatory standards, and procure the needed goods and services to support manufacturing and coordinating the worldwide movement of our drugs to patients.  

• Support existing control systems utilized in manufacturing operations
• Participate in long-term strategic development of site process control systems.
• Provide controls/automation technical support for troubleshooting and problem-solving of manufacturing operations control systems/automation/instrumentation issues. This will include new installations, as well as replacement or upgrading of existing systems.
• The position will require working closely with Facilities and Manufacturing personnel to ensure process / product quality through function of manufacturing control systems.
• This position will require working with validated and non-validated systems. Modifications to validated system will require working within the Change Control program.
• This position will also require the development and implementation of system commissioning plans and interact with Validation on the qualification of these systems. 

• Troubleshooting and problem-solving of existing manufacturing operations control systems/automation/instrumentation issues.
• Diagnose technical issues and provide recommendations/solutions for corrective actions.
• Follow established Quality Control systems.
• Create or review changes and assure appropriate design documentation (User Requirements, Functional Specifications, Software Design Specifications, Software Test Plans, IQ/OQ) are developed and on file.
• Execute control systems projects/assignments in the support of site operations through investigations, control system assessments, and design support. Proactively look for and recommend improvements in site processes and procedures.
• Review, specify, design and/or install data historian systems in direct support of commercial and clinical manufacturing operations.
• Provide direction to junior engineers
• Support and/or execute acceptance testing and IOQ protocols.
• Maintain a library for vendor application software, historical data storage, back-up custom software applications, and required hardware needed for troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Maintain support for plant application automation, including the design, implementation, and documentation of system changes.
• Interface with QA Validation group for GMP systems

• Extensive experience in PLC and data acquisition systems, distributed control systems (DCS), mechanical operation of equipment, and process control are essential.
• Experience with developing GAMP controls documentation for internal projects as well as reviewing/approving vendor supplied documentation (User Requirements, Functional Specifications, Software Design Specifications, and Software Test Plans).
• Aveva PI hardware and software experience required
• PI RtReports experience required
• Virtual Machines experience required.
• Strong organization, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with standard office software applications, including MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, MS Power Point, MS Access.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical environment including regulatory requirements associated with 21 CFR Part 11 and supporting validation of control system equipment.

• Allen-Bradley PLC hardware and software experience preferred (SLC, CompactLogix, ControlLogix, RSLogix500, RSLogix5000, and DeviceNet).
• Experience with networks and communication protocols preferred.
• GE Proficy iFix SCADA experience preferred.
• iBatch, Rockwell Batch or DeltaV Batch experience preferred.
• DeltaV Live or Operate experience preferred
• Johnson Controls Metasys Building Monitoring System (BMS) experience preferred.
  Prior experience supporting manufacturing utility systems strongly preferred (WFI, RODI, waste neutralization, chilled water, heating hot water, steam)
• Prior experience with controls systems supplied with skidded equipment utilized in fermentation, cell separation and recovery, filtration, CIP, and clean utilities preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with the installation, startup, and servicing of application automation control systems. GMP experience preferred.

• BS or MS Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university