{bc}
Apply
workday

Associate Director - Digital Manufacturing & Automation Lead, Cell Therapy

AstraZeneca
California, USA
Full-time
Director · 8+ years experience
Onsite
Discovered Yesterday
SAPPythonJavaScriptJava

Full Job Posting

Key Responsibilities

  • Digital Manufacturing Platforms
  • Own delivery of scalable digital manufacturing platforms across Cell Therapy operations
  • Lead development of MES, LIMS, automation interfaces, robotics workflows, and orchestration capabilities through internal teams and external partners
  • Define product roadmaps, manage technical backlogs, and drive delivery of digital batch execution, electronic work instructions, device integration, and real-time visibility
  • Serve as technical product owner ensuring solutions meet manufacturing and compliance requirements
  • MES & LIMS Workflow Orchestration
  • Lead MES and LIMS workflow orchestration supporting autologous and allogeneic manufacturing processes
  • Design orchestration frameworks integrating MES, LIMS, ERP, automation systems, robotics, and data platforms
  • Define manufacturing process flows, APIs, data exchange patterns, and event-driven architectures
  • Manage vendor delivery, reviewing technical designs and validating implementation quality
  • Tulip Manufacturing Applications
  • Own Tulip application roadmap and delivery, partnering with development teams to build applications supporting shop floor execution, operator workflows, deviations, equipment monitoring, and process visibility
  • Define application requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria
  • Build or oversee development of reusable components, connectors, integrations, and low-code automation workflows
  • Partner with manufacturing SMEs to rapidly prototype and deploy solutions
  • Robotics & Manufacturing Automation Integration
  • Lead integration of robotics platforms, automation equipment, OT systems, and edge devices into enterprise platforms
  • Own technical delivery of automated material movement, manufacturing execution, environmental monitoring, and equipment telemetry
  • Perform hands-on integration including middleware configuration (HighByte, OPC-UA), scripting, and file system management
  • Enterprise Systems Integration
  • Lead integration of MES and LIMS with SAP, automation systems, and analytics platforms
  • Enable real-time sample tracking, chain of identity/custody, and manufacturing genealogy
  • Define canonical data models supporting advanced analytics and AI use cases
  • Drive API integrations with SAP ERP, vein-to-vein systems, and custom/bespoke supplier applications
  • Technical Leadership & Solution Delivery
  • Act as technical product owner managing delivery roadmaps, sprint planning, and stakeholder expectations
  • Apply Agile methodologies, CI/CD, DevSecOps, automated testing, and version control
  • Ensure applications are scalable, secure, maintainable, and GxP compliant
  • Review and validate technical work by development partners and vendors
  • AI & Advanced Digital Manufacturing
  • Leverage AI/ML to optimize workflows, exception handling, predictive maintenance, and manufacturing intelligence
  • Support digital twins, manufacturing analytics, and intelligent automation implementation
  • Drive innovation through rapid experimentation and Industry 4.0 technology adoption
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Manufacturing Operations, MSAT, Quality, Supply Chain, Automation Engineering, Digital IT, and vendors
  • Translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions and delivery plans
  • Support site deployments, validation, training, and operational readiness

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Automation Engineering, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field
  • 8+ years in manufacturing systems, digital manufacturing, MES implementation, or automation engineering
  • Strong technical product ownership or program management experience leading complex manufacturing system implementations
  • Experience with MES/LIMS platforms in pharmaceutical, biotech, cell therapy, or regulated manufacturing
  • Hands-on experience with Tulip platform or similar low-code manufacturing platforms
  • Experience integrating manufacturing automation systems, robotics, environmental monitoring, and OT systems
  • Technical integration expertise:
  • API development and integration
  • Middleware platforms (HighByte, OPC-UA, MQTT)
  • File system management (SMB, NFS) and scripting
  • Database design and connectivity
  • Event-driven architectures
  • Experience with SAP manufacturing integrations
  • Ability to review and validate technical work by development teams and vendors
  • Strong understanding of GxP, CFR Part 11, data integrity, and validation requirements
  • Experience in Agile product delivery environments

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy, biologics, or ATMPs
  • Experience with manufacturing orchestration platforms and digital thread architectures
  • Experience with HighByte, OPC-UA, MQTT, or industrial connectivity platforms
  • Experience integrating robotics platforms and autonomous manufacturing systems
  • Exposure to AI/ML applications in manufacturing operations
  • Experience designing manufacturing data platforms and operational analytics solutions
  • Knowledge of ISA-95, ISA-88, and Industry 4.0 principles
  • Programming experience with Python, JavaScript, Java, C#, or similar
  • Experience with cloud-native applications and CI/CD pipelines
  • #CellTherapy
  • The annual base pay for this position ranges from $124K to $186K. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.
  • Date Posted
  • 23-Oct-2026
  • Closing Date
  • 05-Nov-2026
  • Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

Apply for this job in 1 click

Skip the repetitive application forms

Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.

Sarah M.James T.Maya R.

Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career

Start Free Today

More from this employer

More jobs at AstraZeneca

Senior Analyst - Forecasting

Bengaluru, IND

Discovered TodayFull-time

Specialist - BPM Process Optimisation

Chennai, IND

Discovered TodayFull-time

Senior Consultant - SAP PaPM

Chennai, IND

Discovered TodayFull-time

Director – Managed Service Operations Lead

Chennai, IND

Discovered TodayFull-time

Senior Scientist - Cell Therapy Product Characterization

Gaithersburg, USA

Discovered TodayFull-time

Senior Analyst - Forecasting

Bengaluru, IND

Discovered TodayFull-time

Senior Director, Business Planning & Operations, SMM

Cambridge, USA

Discovered YesterdayFull-time

Senior Administrative Assistant, Cell Therapy Enterprise

Gaithersburg, USA

Discovered YesterdayFull-time