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Director, Project Engineering (PLC/SCADA)

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Engineering

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you had to make a hard call on priorities between projects.

What they are checking: Whether they can make hard calls between competing projects using clear reasoning, and communicate them openly to affected teams.

Tell me about leading a cross-functional team in a matrix organization.

What they are checking: Whether they can lead teams they do not directly manage, using clarity and trust, since automation projects cross many functions.

How do you stay current on automation technology trends?

What they are checking: Whether they stay current on automation trends, which helps them make sound technology choices for the company's sites.

What would you do

A site wants a custom solution that breaks the global standard. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh a site's real needs against the global standard, since too many exceptions undermine the standard's value.

A vendor is falling behind on deliverables. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they act early and firmly with lagging vendors, protecting the schedule while keeping the relationship workable.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd lead a global PLC/SCADA upgrade across several manufacturing sites.

What they are checking: Whether they can lead a multi-site automation program with clear planning and coordination, since upgrades touch production at every site.

What are the biggest risks in PLC and SCADA projects in a GMP environment, and how do you mitigate them?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the specific risks of control system projects in GMP settings, including downtime, validation and data integrity.

How do you handle computer system validation and data integrity on automation projects?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to validate automation systems and protect data integrity, since gaps here can halt production or trigger findings.

How do you build fallback strategies into a project plan?

What they are checking: Whether they plan fallback options before problems arise, which protects production when an automation project hits trouble.

How do you manage cybersecurity on OT systems during a project?

What they are checking: Whether they take OT cybersecurity seriously during projects, since control systems are increasingly targeted and failures affect production.

How do you plan a cutover so production downtime is minimal?

What they are checking: Whether they plan cutovers carefully with testing and rollback options, so production downtime stays short and predictable.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

An engineering professional responsible for leading large, global, strategic projects / programs through a matrix of cross-functional groups and individuals. Provides corporate guidance on activities related to strategic planning, market demand and trends, strategic opportunities and business needs, technological advances and legal requirements. Position to be a port of either the Global Engineering or Global Packaging Engineering groups. Responsibilities: • Responsibilities of this engineering grade level inherently include and expand upon the responsibilities established for lower Project Management Track grade levels. • Responsible for compliance with applicable policies and procedures. Ensures quality and effectiveness of key results of major projects within function through sound design, early risk assessments, and implementation of fallback strategies. Develops and assists in deployment of risk methodologies and implementation of fallback / mitigation strategies. • Manages multiple, often concurrent global projects/programs and consistently meets expectations. Makes difficult decisions regarding priorities among projects/programs. Anticipates and understands the business needs and has a thorough knowledge of customer strategic needs and global challenges when developing a project/program scope. • Leads the project/program team in using established PM tools and techniques to stay within authorized budget limits and achieve the overall project and organizational objectives. Develops project/program strategy to align and achieve key customer business objectives. Collaborates with leaders and experts to integrate project management best practices into strategies and tactics associated with the development of critical projects. • Defines a vision for the future that aligns with corporate goals and critical business objectives when setting strategies for projects / programs. Leads and contributes to the development of long-term business and organizational strategies. • Integrates experiences and approaches from multiple projects / disciplines to develop the best solution in the total business context. Proactively mentors, advises and shares knowledge and opinions with senior management. Manages the direction of global teams and task forces to develop and align procedures and standards. • Anticipates trends and prioritizes challenges. Prepares and presents to executive management and obtains their buy-in for major programs. Serves as organization spokesperson on large strategic initiatives. Sets the strategy and direction for improving project design / outcome within the framework of the corporate strategy. • A Bachelors Degree in Engineering, science, or closely related discipline is desired, or equivalent technical experience plus demonstrated competence, with a desired 18+ years of significant engineering and / or operational experience. A post-graduate education / degree is desired, and may contribute towards the desired years of experience. • A career history marked by a consistent series of significant contributions and accomplishments. • Demonstrated and been recognized for excellence in breadth and depth of knowledge in global project management. • Interacts well with diverse groups across corporation and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators. • Listens to and understands others’ points of view and articulates tactfully and respectfully one’s own perspective orally, in writing, and in presentations. • Works well with other engineers in a collaborative, fast-paced goal-driven environment. • Possesses interpersonal skills to negotiate and reconcile differences, while optimizing overall organizational goals. • A technical background in health care, medical devices, biological, or pharmaceutical companies. • Consistently demonstrated competency with financial systems and in fiscal control. Project accounting experience. Understanding and management of procurement & contracting processes. • Formal Project Management training (preferred) Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. ​ Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.​ AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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