{"id":2057788,"url":"https://alion.io/job/vertex-pharmaceuticals-associate-director-automation-engineering","title":"Associate Director, Automation Engineering","company":{"id":5871,"name":"Vertex Pharmaceuticals","domain":"vrtx.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/vrtx","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":91,"open_postings":22,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.364,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":37,"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Leadership","role_family":"Leadership","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Boston, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":166000,"max":249000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":249000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Office","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-07T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-08","last_verified_at":"2026-10-20T22:21:01Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":14,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":14},"description":"Job Description\nGeneral Summary:\nVertex’s Automation of Machinery and Processes (AMP) Team is seeking a high-impact leader to develop cutting-edge manufacturing solutions for its Cell & Genetic Therapies programs. This pivotal role is at the forefront of automating complex processes in one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving fields in biotechnology. You will work with a passionate team of engineers, scientists, and innovators united by a shared mission: to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Cell & Genetic Therapy. This critical position will lead an interdisciplinary engineering team in novel equipment & systems development, vendor selection, equipment qualification, technology transfer, and continuous improvement to deliver robust and reliable manufacturing systems.\nKey Duties and Responsibilities:\nLead a team of equipment and automation engineers involved in the design, development, deployment, and qualification of custom automation equipment and operation technology systems used for the development and manufacture of cell and genetic therapies.\nLead Equipment, System, and Automaton Projects from concept through execution in a dynamic development environment. Ensures user requirements are clearly defined and translated into achievable and testable engineering requirements.\nManage and execute the development of mechanical, electrical, and controls systems for capital equipment. Define automation execution strategy from concept feasibility through commercial deployment. Present to senior leadership as required.\nResponsible for active oversight of the equipment / system design and commissioning process. Collaborate with vendors to produce prototype and production parts. Perform engineering analyses and relevant physical testing on designs.\nUtilize operations simulation tools to identify and quantify automation opportunities.\nEnsures seamless integration of automation control systems into existing enterprise systems.\nProvide hands-on troubleshooting assistance to manufacturing in support of a rapid development cycle and manufacturing sustainability.\nCollaborates with manufacturing engineering to define, manage, and continuously improve equipment performance, preventative maintenance plans, and spare parts lists/inventory.\nEvaluate and recommend automation upgrades to existing equipment or systems. Prioritize projects and assign resources to complete projects on-time and within budget.\nReview and/or draft Equipment Drawings, Electrical Diagrams, System Manuals, Engineering Protocols and Reports, Validation Documentation, and other Quality System Documentation.\nDevelop departmental procedures for development and documentation of automated systems, from specifications through operational procedures.\nSupport Deviation Management, CAPA, and Change Control activities, as required. Serve as Automation SME to Quality, Manufacturing, and other Functions. Support manufacturing investigations, including OOSs, OOTs, RCAs, etc.\nExecute assigned duties on time and within budget; proactively telegraph delays and other issues to relevant stakeholders.\nComply with all regulatory, corporate, and Quality System policies and complete other projects and/or assignments as required.\nKnowledge and Skills:\nHigh degree of electromechanical aptitude with prior experience in designing and implementing automated precision manufacturing equipment, including integration of vision systems and robotics, in bioprocessing, medical device, pharmaceutical, automotive, semiconductor, or diagnostic systems.\nAbility to organize and grow a team through organizational change and personnel development.\nExperience with automation and equipment business case definition, vendor selection and management, automation and equipment design, development, commissioning, and validation. Experience developing and executing equipment strategy from concept to deployment.\nExperience working with a variety of automation hardware, software and applications including, but not limited to, custom-fabricated mechanical components and mechanisms, single-use bioreactors and bioprocessing instruments, vision systems, robotics, AMR and AGV, control systems (PLC, DeltaV, PC), AI-enabled systems, and related control system components, pneumatics, automated process instrumentation.\nProficiency in AI tools and applications with experience developing for lab and manufacturing applications.\nExperience qualifying/validating/deploying manufacturing equipment and processes is required. Knowledge and experience in utilizing risk-based approaches to validation process development and validation are highly advantageous.\nFamiliarity with ISO 13485, ISO 14971, 21 CFR 820, 21 CFR 211, and ICH Q7/8/9. Knowledge of global GMP requirements governing device or combination products.\nFamiliarity with equipment safety standards and regulations including OSHA 19 CFR 1910, NFPA 70, NFPA 79, ISO 18849-1.\nStrong interpersonal, project management, technical writing and presentation skills required.\nSense of urgency, ability to act/escalate promptly, and transparently communicate issues to involved stakeholders and management.\nMust be able to work independently with minimal supervision, multi-task, and support several projects simultaneously.\nKnowledge of business applications such as MS Office, Veeva, Coupa.\nMust demonstrate strong interpersonal, presentation, and teamwork skills.\nEducation and Experience:\nPhD in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automation engineering or related field and 5 years experience in life sciences, manufacturing, or engineering, or\nMaster's Degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automation engineering or related field and 6 years experience in life sciences, manufacturing, or engineering, or\nBachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automation engineering or related field and 8 years experience in life sciences, manufacturing, engineering\n10-15% domestic & international travel is expected.\nAt Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.\nPay Range:\n$166,000 - $249,000Disclosure Statement:\nThe range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.\nAt Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.\nFlex Designation:\nOn-Site DesignatedFlex Eligibility Status:\nIn this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.\nNote: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.\nCompany Information\nVertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.\nVertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.\nAny applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ","description_format":"text","description_chars":8721,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Continuous learning","Equity"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Prescription Drugs","Cell & Gene Therapy","Bioprocessing","Rare Disease Therapeutics"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-08T00:38:04Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 174 · green card filings: 21","filings_12m":174,"filings_prev_12m":187,"green_card_filings_12m":21,"median_offered_wage_usd":131423,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":81,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.895,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":13,"expected_fill_days":37,"reasons":["conf:2","velocity","win:mid","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":249000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/vertex-pharmaceuticals-associate-director-automation-engineering","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/vertex-pharmaceuticals-associate-director-automation-engineering.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-21T02:53:59Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":4314,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-22T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":5871},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=5871"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fvertex-pharmaceuticals-associate-director-automation-engineering"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fvertex-pharmaceuticals-associate-director-automation-engineering"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fvertex-pharmaceuticals-associate-director-automation-engineering"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/vertex-pharmaceuticals-associate-director-automation-engineering\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fvertex-pharmaceuticals-associate-director-automation-engineering"}]}