Work Schedule Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Laboratory Setting, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Will work with hazardous/toxic materials
Job Description Position: Automation Engineer / Automation Specialist Location: Sunnyvale, CA Schedule: M-F, Days
Join our dynamic Analytical Instruments team and be at the forefront of innovation in scientific research, quality control, and process analysis! We cater to a wide range of industries, from biopharma and academia to government and environmental studies. Our talented colleagues develop a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge instruments, including chromatography systems, mass spectrometers, and electron microscopes. These tools are essential in ensuring product quality, driving groundbreaking research, and speeding up the development of new therapies. Come be a part of our exciting journey and make a real impact!
Our Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry organization develops and manufactures analytical instruments, consumables, and workflows that support scientific research, quality control, and regulated manufacturing. The Sunnyvale Analytical Instrumentation Operations site focuses on chemistry-based consumables and column manufacturing, where robust automation and control systems are critical to quality, safety, and throughput.
How will you make an impact? As an Automation Engineer / Specialist, you will provide technical leadership for automation and controls systems supporting resin production and chromatography column manufacturing. You will enable safe, robust, and compliant manufacturing by designing, improving, and sustaining PLC-based automation, data collection, and control strategies across production equipment.
As part of the Manufacturing Engineering team, you will work closely with Product management, Quality, EH&S, Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing and R&D teams to support new product introductions, validate automation changes, and improve process capability, reliability, and throughput in a regulated manufacturing environment.
What you will do: • Serve as the technical owner for automation and control systems supporting resin synthesis, resin handling, and column manufacturing equipment. • Design, modify, and support PLC-based control systems, HMIs, sensors, interlocks, and data acquisition solutions. • Support NPDI programs to define automation requirements, execute factory bring-up, and support pilot and first-production runs. • Lead and execute automation validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) for new equipment, control logic changes, and system upgrades, in partnership with Quality and Manufacturing. • Troubleshoot automated manufacturing equipment, addressing control logic, instrumentation, network server infrastructure, and system integration issues. • Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineers to improve process robustness, yield, cycle time, and data visibility through automation. • Support change control activities for automation-related changes, ensuring validated state is maintained. • Develop and maintain automation documentation, including control narratives, software change records, test protocols, and SOPs. • Support integration of manufacturing data systems for process monitoring, alarms, and trending. • Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior automation engineers or interns. • Participate in safety reviews, hazard analyses, and risk assessments related to automated systems.
REQUIREMENTS
How will you get here?
Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or related field required & 5+ years of experience Advanced degree & 3+ years of experience
Experience: Experience in automation, controls, or manufacturing systems engineering within a regulated manufacturing environment. Hands-on experience with PLC programming, software, and troubleshooting (e.g., Allen-Bradley/FactoryTalk, Siemens, or equivalent). Experience supporting automated or semi-automated manufacturing equipment. Experience supporting NPDI / NPI equipment or process introductions. Experience working in GMP, ISO, or similarly regulated environments. Experience supporting chemistry- or materials-based manufacturing processes is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong understanding of industrial automation, network server infrastructure, and control systems (PLCs, HMIs, sensors, actuators, safety interlocks). Familiarity with process validation, change control, and regulated documentation practices. Ability to troubleshoot across controls, equipment, and process interfaces. Strong collaboration skills with Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams. Ability to clearly document and communicate technical changes and validation results. Comfortable working hands-on in a manufacturing environment.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in California is $95,500.00-$143,200.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes: • A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs • Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement • At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy • Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan • Employees' Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With revenues of nearly $11 billion, we have approximately 37,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as in environmental and process control industries. We create value for our key stakeholders through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, which offer a unique combination of continuous technology development and the most convenient purchasing options. Our products and services help accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, and solve analytical challenges ranging from complex research to routine testing to field applications.
All of our employees share a common set of values - Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement. Our ability to grow year after year is driven by our ability to attract, develop and retain world-class people who will thrive in our environment and share in our desire to improve mankind by enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.
If you share in our values and if you're looking for an employer who is strongly committed to developing talent and rewarding achievement, come grow with us at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.