Director, Project Engineering (PLC/SCADA)
Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
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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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by AbbVie.