Principal Automation Engineer - Global Engineering
Genentech · Hillsboro, OR
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $114k–$212k
- Travel
- 40%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Genentech (pharma & life sciences) in Hillsboro, OR. PTT, composed of global MSAT and Engineering, realizes new assets for the PT manufacturing network of drug substance, drug product, and device industrialization facilities.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- FDA / GMP, Automation
- Base pay
- $114k–$212k
- Day to day
- about 40% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 9, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Oregon: typical posted base $114k–$212k. This one lists $114k–$212k.
Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 16 controls engineer openings in Oregon, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Oregon plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 15 other live controls postings in Oregon.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 75%
- PLC 50%
- Python 25%
- Team leadership 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Genentech
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 40% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from GenentechAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Who you are
- ✓Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Science preferred) and 8 years experience, or Master’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Science preferred) and 7 years experience.
- ✓Minimum of 8 years applicable automation and/or instrument and control system experience preferably majority in drug product function.
- ✓5 years in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry/GMP experience.
- ✓Significant travel (40-50%) assignment requiring weekly commuting and/ or temporary remote assignment as required to meet the business need.
- ✓Proficient knowledge of English (written & spoken) a must, and other additional languages (e.g. Portuguese, German) a plus.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
The Position
A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That’s what makes us Roche.
This role is based in Pharma Technical Operations Technology (PTT), an organization that is responsible for ensuring Pharma Technical Operations (PT) stays at the forefront of technology in our current and future facilities. PTT, composed of global MSAT and Engineering, realizes new assets for the PT manufacturing network of drug substance, drug product, and device industrialization facilities. You will have the opportunity to build manufacturing facilities that deliver life saving medicines to patients.
The Opportunity
As a Principal Automation Engineer you will be responsible for supporting large and/or complex facility/equipment improvement projects within our US manufacturing network as well as potentially at our international sites.
Initially, you will perform a mix of remote and onsite work (first at the General Planner’s office, later at construction site/plant). You will transition to local full time on-site work once the site buildings are built and equipment delivered. Travel of up to 40% to 50% of the time is expected during the project phase.
- •Leads proactive measures to achieve the specified goals in the event of deviations from the project plan.
- •Manages a sub-project team including external contractors and gives clear guidance to the team in terms of technical solutions and/or business processes.
- •Maintain ownership of assigned work-package within discipline through all project phases so that target functionality, quality and reliability are achieved.
- •Partners proactively with key customers, team members and stakeholders, while being open and approachable with a friendly, positive and professional attitude.
- •Collaborate with PTE to evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies and serve as the primary technical liaison with the IT/OT groups to drive higher levels of operational digitalization.
Preferred
- +Exemplifies Roche Values and Leadership Commitments.
- +Exceptional collaboration, team building and communication skills.
- +Strong business and technical acumen, strategic agility and global perspective necessary to lead the groups to world-class performance.
- +Global experience and culturally savvy, can adapt to and effectively manage in various cultural environments and organizational levels including executive management.
Benefits