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Automation Engineer

Sanofi · Swiftwater, PA

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Level
Engineer
Team
Controls
Base pay
$75k–$108k
Experience asked
2+ years
Industry
Pharma & life sciences
Posted
Yesterday

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Sanofi (pharma & life sciences) in Swiftwater, PA. Identify, propose, and implement process and system improvements to enhance automation performance, reduce costs, and improve flexibility in manufacturing operations.

They ask for
2+ years
Tools it names
FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Automation
Base pay
$75k–$108k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in Pennsylvania: typical posted base $88k–$133k. This one lists $75k–$108k.

Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 29 controls engineer openings in Pennsylvania, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Pennsylvania plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 28 other live controls postings in Pennsylvania.

Base pay
About 17% below similar roles

Typical $88k–$133k, from 9 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ PLC 72%
  • ✓ Automation 72%
  • Root cause 28%
  • ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 24%
  • Lean 21%
  • Robotics 21%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Sanofi

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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.

This plant: Sanofi in Swiftwater

4 other open roles at this site.

Full description from SanofiAs posted on their careers site.Show

responsibilities

The Automation Engineer will oversee manufacturing automation systems within the whole site.

Qualifications

  • ✓Automation and Engineering: 2+ years of direct experience in automation systems and automation support within biopharma or related industries is preferred.
  • ✓Process Control Systems: Knowledge in systems like DCS (DeltaV), SCADA (Aveva), PLCs, and related automation technologies in a manufacturing context. Machine connectivity understanding with data acquisition from PLCs into higher level applications like Historian, ERPs, etc... using current technologies like OPC is preferred.
Show full description ↓

Job Title : Automation Engineer

  • •Location: Swiftwater, PA

About the Job

Sanofi is an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to pursue scientific miracles to improve lives. Our team strives to transform the practice of medicine, connecting our science to communities in meaningful ways. Within our Sanofi Manufacturing & Supply Ambition, we’re redefining our strategy, culture, and processes to make a tangible impact worldwide.

In this role, you'll join the Manufacturing Systems & Automation department at our Swiftwater site, supporting directly the manufacturing system automation. The role will support implementation of changes to the automation systems, updating design documents, executing testing, troubleshooting events, and being a part of the site automation on-call support. The role will provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) level support of all automated process control systems used in licensed manufacturing (including dedicated clean utilities) of the building that the Automation Engineer has been assigned to. The position will be the Manufacturing Systems & Automation Site Support interface with Operations personnel, QA Compliance, Information Systems, Engineering, Maintenance and the site wide Automation Support technicians.

The Automation Engineer must exhibit strong customer communication skills and have in-depth technical knowledge of process control systems and equipment used in biotech/ pharmaceutical manufacturing and utility systems. This position will support the highly complex automated systems installed in the new and existing manufacturing facilities, security and its support systems.

Expected results from this position would include hands-on support of automated system in manufacturing (including Building Automation Systems), troubleshooting of automated process equipment and process systems, coordination of contractors, execution of site change controls, aiding in the investigation of process deviations and providing expertise for process evaluation and product improvements for better quality and yields. The role will provide improved response time to failures in manufacturing and implement site automation standard procedures and Global Engineering Practices.

Join a global network that powers how Sanofi delivers — seamlessly, purposefully, and at scale. In Manufacturing & Supply, you’ll help reimagine how life-changing treatments reach people everywhere, faster.

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve lives.

Main

include

  • •System Integration:
  • •Ensure seamless integration of automation systems with digital applications to support production, quality control, and data management.
  • •Deliverable Accountability:
  • •Ensure compliance with GMP and regulatory standards (C&Q), including user/functional/detailed specification development, test protocols, and system validation.
  • •Work closely with the client to understand their needs and develop strategies tailored to their organization through site assessments.
  • •Risk and Compliance Management:
  • •Identify and proactively manage risks.
  • •Ensure compliance with GMP to minimize disruptions to timelines and costs.
  • •Training and Support:
  • •Develop and deliver specialized training materials for staff to ensure proper operation and maintenance of automated systems.
  • •Provide ongoing support post-implementation.
  • •Collaboration and Documentation:
  • •Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Facilities, and Tech Transfer departments to capture and document detailed requirements.
  • •Standards and Best Practices:
  • •Develop standards and best practices for development and validation activities.
  • •Lead cross-functional teams through design reviews and user acceptance testing during the development change and validation process.
  • •Operational Meetings:
  • •Participate in facility operational meetings to ensure facility reporting needs are met.
  • •Operational Oversight:
  • •Oversee the daily monitoring, troubleshooting, and support of automation systems (PLCs, SCADA, DCS, and other control systems) to ensure continuous production with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.
  • •Continuous Improvement:
  • •Identify, propose, and implement process and system improvements to enhance automation performance, reduce costs, and improve flexibility in manufacturing operations.
  • •Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • •Work closely with engineering, production, quality, IT, and other cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of automation systems with production goals and regulatory requirements.
  • •Compliance & Risk Management:
  • •Ensure that all automation activities comply with GMP, safety standards, and other relevant regulations. Lead efforts to manage risks associated with automation systems and address any compliance issues proactively.
  • •On-Call Support:
  • •Be available to provide “on call” support during off-shift hours, based on a rotating schedule, to support manufacturing operations.

About You

Basic

Soft and Technical Skills

  • •Team Collaboration:

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