Senior Engineer – Operational Technology, Automation, and Controls

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.

• Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO

• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution

• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.

• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.

• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Abbott Park (Lake Bluff), IL location in the Transfusion Medicine Division. Our diagnostic solutions are used in hospitals, laboratories, and clinics around the globe. The crucial information derived from our tests, instruments and informatics systems are often the first step in patient care decision making for hundreds of health conditions from heart attacks to blood disorders to infectious diseases and cancers.

As the Senior Engineer – Operational Technology, Automation, and Controls, you’ll be responsible for providing technical and sustaining engineering support in a manufacturing area. Recommends and implements equipment and process modifications to improve production efficiencies, manufacturing techniques and production yields for existing products. This position will design and develop manufacturing processes, tooling, and fixtures to meet daily production schedules while enhancing productivity and product quality. Lead manufacturing operations data systems across global supply chain. Provide technical consulting support to Manufacturing Operations and project engineers, as required.

What You’ll Work On

• Oversight of installation and integration of manufacturing systems for processing control systems, filling, and packaging operations:

  • PLC programming in Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms

  • HMI/SCADA programming in FactoryTalk View SE/ME and iFIX Scada Platforms

  • Implement software design efficiently in current programming languages (C#, VBA, SQL, etc.)

  • Develop and execute Software Lifecycle Validation Documentation

  • Must be capable of working independently and resolving design conflicts and/or ambiguous instructions.

  • Must collaborate well with multi-disciplined engineers and scientists in understanding task requirements and communicating to other project technicians.

  • Must be able to adapt to changing requirements and meet project commitments without sacrificing workmanship quality.

  • Capable of working at high level of performance on projects and activities that dramatically impacts the business. Participate as engineering representative in project teams for new technology implementation and legacy technology upgrades.

• Lead control and instrumentation system design for projects including, but not limited to, the following tasks:

  • Develop and manage automation and controls scope based on user requirements.

  • Designing or managing the design of industrial control systems,

  • Develop validation/commissioning strategy for integrated equipment and systems.

  • Managing the installation, validation, and start-up of industrial control systems.

• Draft, review, or execute verification / validation protocols, identify validation risks and impacts.

• Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Networks with key contacts outside own area of expertise.

• Leads Continuous Improvement activities including Problem Solving Tools, Lean, Six Sigma, Management Operating Systems, Visual Factory, Suggestion Programs and Metric Tracking

• Support all Divisional initiatives as identified by divisional management and in support of Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and other regulatory requirements.

• Complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, other regulatory requirements, Company policies, operating procedures, processes, and task assignments. Maintains positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors.

• Individual should: Be innovative, resourceful, and work with minimal direction. Have excellent organization, problem solving, communication, and team leadership skills. Work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in mechanical, chemical, or any engineering or technical field degree.

• Minimum 5 years experience, both overall and any industry-specific experience needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in FDA regulated manufacturing, consumer packaged goods or similar experience required.

• Experience with validation or commissioning documentation required.

• Experience with SCADA system implementation and maintenance.

•  Knowledge of debugging techniques and application development.

• Working knowledge of the principles of quality software engineering as described by software lifecycle development processes that are consistent with ISO, IEEE, or other FDA recognized standards.

• Programming experience using current programming languages (C#, html, SQL) and/or experience in software development.

• Knowledge of PLC programming (e.g., Rockwell, or similar)

• Experience out of any of the following manufacturing companies/industries, e.g., medical device, medical diagnostics products, Defense/Aerospace, Aviation, Automotive, Food & Beverage, and/or Pharmaceutical.

• Be familiar with tools within the Continuous Improvement (e.g., 6 Sigma, Lean, Kaizen, etc.) and participate in problem resolution.

• Experience with large capital project delivery and leading a cross-functional project team preferred. 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and know how to prioritize the workday.

• ‘Out-of-the-box’ thinking and problem solving.

* Participants who complete a short wellness assessment qualify for FREE coverage in our HIP PPO medical plan. Free coverage applies in the next calendar year.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:  www.abbottbenefits.com

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.