Senior Automation Engineer I

Location: Vacaville, California 
This is a fully site based role. Working together in person supports close, real time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

Execute automation projects and Automation roadmap initiatives for systems supporting Cell Culture Plant 1 (CCP1) and Cell Culture Plant 2 (CCP2). Support MAR activities and Vacaville Manufacturing Operations by assisting with tech transfers and capital projects while maintaining the qualified state of PLC and VSC systems.

What you will get

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $107,250 to $178,750.  In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• Performance-related bonus
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) matching plan
• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance programs
• Paid Time Off

What you will do

• Deliver robust automation support for site-wide projects in alignment with CCP1 and CCP2 roadmaps to ensure a reliable quality supply and operational excellence.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize critical CCP1/CCP2 automation systems, including MCS, DCS, PLC, and Vendor Supplied Controller (VSC) platforms, to guarantee they remain in a qualified state.
• Support Make Assess Release (MAR) activities, capital project execution, and technology transfers from initial design through commissioning and validation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams—including manufacturing, engineering, process science, validation, and QA—to engineer and implement "right-the-first-time" automation solutions.
• Collaborate with project leads to develop, review, and approve scope definitions, system requirements, control designs, technical drawings, and Change Control assessments.
• Perform off-line and on-line coding, debugging, comprehensive startup testing, peer reviews, and software change approvals for seamless system performance.
• Provide dedicated troubleshooting and to resolve manufacturing discrepancies, mitigate software issues, and implement corrective action plans

What we are looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field preferred.
• Effective communication to engage and collaborate at all operational levels.
• High adaptability to changing operational conditions and requirements, with a proven ability to prioritize and manage key deliverables effectively.
• Provide robust automation support for the testing, startup, commissioning, and validation of system changes and projects, including Change Control assessments and record ownership.
• Support ongoing manufacturing by evaluating discrepancies, taking authorized additional actions, providing technical input for investigations, and implementing corrective action plans.
• Maintain and troubleshoot plant control systems—including PLCs, DCS, and field I/O devices—to ensure reliable process automation and minimize equipment downtime.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.

Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing biologics, cell, and gene therapy production services.

lonza.com