Engineer III, Process Engineering (Automation)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Fair Lawn, NJ

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$86,300–$129,500 Per Year
SKILLS
ABB (Asea Brown Boveri), Analysis Skills, Automation, Automation Engineering, Automation Systems, Best Practices, Biotech and Pharmaceutical, Business Case, CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), Capital Budgeting, Capital Project, Change Management, Coaching, Commissioning, Communication Skills, Communications Protocols, Conferences, Continuous Improvement, Control Engineering, Control Systems, Corporate Policies, Cross-Functional, DeltaV, Dental Insurance, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Electrical Engineering, Emerging Technology, Ethernet, Human Machine Interface (HMI), IP (Internet Protocol), Identify Issues, Incentive Programs, Ladder Logic, Leadership, Lean Six Sigma, Life Insurance, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Automation, Manufacturing Equipment, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Manufacturing Operations, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM), OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), Office Equipment, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Control Engineering, Process Engineering, Process Improvement, Process Safety Management, Product/Service Launch, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Project Control, Project/Program Management, Quality Management, Reliability Engineering, Request for Proposals (RFP), Requirements Management, Return on Investment (ROI), Risk Management, Robotics, Safety Process, Safety Standards, Safety Systems, Safety/Work Safety, SolidWorks, Stock Purchase Plans, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), System Integration (SI), Systems/Internals Programming, Team Player, Technical Support, Technical Training, Test Plan/Schedule, Vendor/Supplier Selection, Vision Plan, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Fair Lawn, NJ
POSTED
30+ days ago

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Various outside weather conditions

Job Description

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Process Automation Engineer to drive automation improvements, integration initiatives, and process optimization efforts across our manufacturing and operational environments. This role combines technical expertise in process control systems with project leadership and a continuous improvement mindset. The engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams, vendors, and global stakeholders to design, implement, and sustain automation solutions that improve reliability, quality, safety, and efficiency.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Automation Support & Optimization

o Maintain the validated and compliant state of process control and automation systems (PLCs, DCS, SCADA, HMIs, historians, robotics, sensors, vision systems).

o Troubleshoot and resolve automation-related downtime, root causes, and performance issues.

o Monitor and optimize automation systems to improve asset utilization, quality, and throughput.

o Provide subject matter expertise (SME) on automation technology, standards, and best practices.

  • Project Leadership & Integration

o Plan, lead, and execute automation projects, including capital improvements, facility expansions, and new product introductions.

o Create and manage automation roadmaps from concept through design, development, testing, commissioning, and validation.

o Develop user requirements, functional specifications, and detailed design specifications.

o Lead vendor selection, RFP processes, and manage external contractors/OEMs to ensure high-quality deliverables.

o Support cross-site automation technology deployment and ensure consistency of standards and solutions.

  • Process Improvement & Innovation

o Partner with production, engineering, and operations to identify automation opportunities and develop ROI-based business cases.

o Research and evaluate emerging automation technologies to support future solutions.

o Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean/Six Sigma methodologies to enhance reliability and reduce risk.

o Support development and implementation of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and process safety standards in alignment with PSM requirements.

  • Collaboration & Training

o Collaborate with global and site leadership, technical centers, and cross-disciplinary teams.

o Provide technical training and coaching for colleagues, operators, and maintenance staff.

o Actively support audits, inspections, and compliance activities.

o Ensure adherence to change management and automation governance standards.

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Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Automation, or Mechatronics); master's degree preferred.
  • Minimum of five (7) years of experience in process automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing automation.
  • Proven expertise with DCS, PLC, HMI, SCADA, robotics, and related automation hardware/software (Honeywell, Rockwell, Siemens, DeltaV, ABB, etc.).
  • Experience in system integration, programming (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, etc.), and commissioning.
  • Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet/IP) and MES/MOM systems.
  • Familiarity with process safety management (PSM), safety instrumented systems (SIS), and high-hazard process environments (preferred for chemical/pharma).
  • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage capital projects, budgets, and cross-functional teams.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to influence and lead without direct authority.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and 3D CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) is a plus.

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Work Environment

  • Primarily site-based role with occasional travel to vendors, conferences, or other manufacturing sites.
  • Hands-on engagement with manufacturing equipment and automation systems.
  • Fast-paced, collaborative environment requiring flexibility and adaptability.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in New Jersey is $86,300.00-$129,500.00.

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

About the Company

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

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.

COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
All
WEBSITE
https://corporate.thermofisher.com/en/home.html