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Global Automation Engineering & Technology Head

CSL Behring · Kankakee, IL · Full time

Posted Aug 11, 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 Tier 1 automation or MES project you oversaw that ran into trouble. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they step in at the right level and fix delivery problems without taking over the project.

You'd lead five leads, including lab systems, data systems and OT innovation. How do you keep them working as one center of excellence?

What they are checking: Whether they can unify specialists around shared goals instead of running separate silos.

Tell me about a time you made the business case for a large OT investment to senior leaders.

What they are checking: Whether they can connect technology spending to throughput, compliance and cost outcomes leaders care about.

What would you do

You'd own the global strategy for PCS, MES, OT data systems and LIMS. How would you build a roadmap when sites are at very different levels of maturity?

What they are checking: Whether they can sequence a global program around real site readiness rather than a one-size plan.

How do you manage strategic relationships with platform providers so you aren't locked into one vendor's roadmap?

What they are checking: Whether they can partner closely with suppliers while protecting the company's long-term flexibility.

Quality wants slower, more controlled changes while Operations wants new digital tools fast. How do you balance that?

What they are checking: Whether they can design a validation approach that satisfies Quality without stalling innovation.

About the work

How do you set global standards for recipes and data across manufacturing sites without slowing local operations?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to harmonize what matters for compliance and data while leaving room for local needs.

What role should AI play in GxP manufacturing and QC systems in the next few years, and where would you hold back?

What they are checking: Whether they have a grounded view of AI that respects validation and data integrity requirements.

How would you structure governance for Tier 2 and Tier 3 projects that you don't run directly?

What they are checking: Whether they can set light but firm guardrails so smaller projects stay compliant and aligned.

How do you think about OT data integration with enterprise analytics while keeping control systems secure?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the tension between data access and OT cybersecurity in a plant network.

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The full job description

As published by CSL Behring.

Position Purpose: The Global Automation Engineering & Technology Head is accountable for defining and executing the enterprise strategy for GxP manufacturing and laboratory digital systems, including PCS, MES, OT Data Systems, and LIMS platforms. This role provides global lifecycle ownership, governance, and standards for platforms, data, and recipes across manufacturing and QC laboratories, ensuring harmonized, compliant, and future-ready operations. Acting as a Center of Excellence, the position establishes digital roadmaps, oversees Tier 1 project delivery and Tier 2/3 governance, and drives strategic partnerships with suppliers and platform providers. The role interfaces broadly across I&T, Operations, Technical Operations, Quality, and Data Analytics to enable an integrated, data-driven, and innovation-oriented digital ecosystem. Reporting Relationships: • Role that this position reports to: Global Head Engineering • Role/s that report to this position: • Lab Systems Lead • Manufacturing Data Systems Lead • Automation Standards, Governance & AI Strategy • OT Partner Enablement • OT Innovation & Capital Delivery Lead Main Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Digital Manufacturing & QC Strategy and Roadmap (Operational Technology Domain) • Define and execute the global Operational Technology (OT) strategy and roadmap for manufacturing and QC systems, ensuring alignment with I&T and business strategies. • Advance paperless, recipe-driven, and data-integrated execution aligned to ISA-88/95 and Pharma 4.0 principles. • Prioritize OT initiatives that enhance productivity, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing reliability. • Communicate OT strategy, value realization, and roadmap progress to executive and site leadership. Enterprise OT Platform Lifecycle Ownership (DCS, MES, OT Data Systems, LIMS) • Provide lifecycle ownership for Enterprise GxP manufacturing and lab OT platforms including OSI Pi, LIMS, Enterprise MES, Edge, Configuration management, and other enterprise tools • Provider governance and decisioning on Automation Systems (DCS/SCADA), MES, etc. • Ensure platforms meet operational, compliance, and performance standards across global sites. • Drive harmonization and modernization of Enterprise OT platforms and support the roadmap for site integrations. OT Governance, Compliance, and Architecture Leadership • Lead enterprise OT governance structures (Design Authority, Standards Council, etc.). • Define global OT standards for configuration, recipes, data, and cybersecurity in alignment with I&T, C&Q/CSV, GAMP 5 and GxP requirements. • Maintain validated, secure, and interoperable architectures between plant-level systems and enterprise data layers. • Ensure OT environments adhere to 21 CFR Part 11, Annex 11, and digital validation best practices. OT Technology Deployment and Capital Project Oversight • Accountable for Tier 1 capital project delivery for manufacturing and QC digital platforms. • Govern Tier 2/3 site projects to ensure adherence to global OT standards, validation, and cybersecurity requirements. • Manage readiness, commissioning, and hypercare for OT systems introduced via T1 capital or digital programs. Organization / Center of Excellence Leadership and Team Development • Lead the global OT organization encompassing Lab Systems, Data Systems, Recipe Standards, and Innovation & Partner Enablement. • Operate as the OT Center of Excellence (CoE), defining best practices, playbooks, and training for site automation and lab teams. • Build global OT capabilities, talent pipelines, and competency frameworks. • Manage OT budgets (opex/capex) and resource allocation to maximize enterprise value. • Place a high priority on developing others through coaching, feedback, and developmental goals. • Provide a positive and equitable working environment, emphasizing values such as Customer Focus, Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, and Superior Performance. Strategic OT Supplier and Platform Partnerships • Develop and manage strategic partnerships with automation, MES, historian, and lab system platform provider (e.g., Siemens, Jag, Starlims, Aveeva (OSI) Pi). • Develop and manage strategic partnerships with integrator partners (Mescada, CapG, Avacone, Cognizant, etc.) • Align supplier roadmaps to OT strategy and ensure service excellence, cost optimization, and innovation delivery. • Establish joint governance with system integrators (SIs) and solution providers for lifecycle performance. • Leverage partner ecosystems to advance automation, edge computing, and digital manufacturing maturity. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Operational Influence • Collaborate closely with I&T, Operations, Technical Operations, Quality, Validation, and Data Analytics while retaining ownership of the OT domain. • Ensure seamless data and integration flows between OT systems, enterprise layers, and cloud solutions under validated control. • Influence global and site leaders to adopt standardized OT processes, architectures, and governance. • Represent OT in enterprise risk, cybersecurity, and digital transformation forums. Innovation and Emerging OT Technologies Enablement • Identify and pilot emerging OT and industrial digital technologies (AI/ML at the edge, digital twins, composable MES, Cloud, etc.). • Translate pilots into validated, scalable solutions that enhance reliability, compliance, and improve business outcomes. • Embed advanced analytics and process optimization into OT platforms. • Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the OT ecosystem. Position Qualifications and Experience Requirements: Education • Bachelor of Science in an Engineering, Automation, Computer Science or local equivalent. Experience • 15+ years’ work experience, with at least 5 years’ experience in execution systems, operational technology, IT and operations • Specific experience in process automation, MES and batch manufacturing industry standards (ISA S88 &S95) • Direct experience designing, building, deploying and supporting automation and execution systems (SCADA, DCS, MES, PAT, LIMS, Digital Methods, OSI Pi Data historian, etc.) in a regulated large-scale process-based manufacturing environment. • Experience in running site-based shop floor and laboratory systems in a globally distributed footprint is highly desirable • A proven track record of influencing the industry on operational technology via publications and presentations is strongly preferred. • Experience building, managing, and deploying high performing, innovative and transformational process automation / execution systems across a global organization. • Demonstrated ability to influence at all organizational levels through clear, concise and impactful verbal and written communication skills • Ability to build, mentor and grow a high performing and cohesive team • Experience in Process Excellence methodology is desirable but not required. • Ability to work across a range of countries and cultures • Demonstrated experience in managing leaders, employees, and cross-functional project teams. • Strong project management skills and experience in engineering projects within biopharma manufacturing. • Functional knowledge of cGMPs and manufacturing operations in FDA-regulated facilities. Competencies • Automation & Execution Systems Expertise • Project Management • Regulatory Compliance • Team Leadership & Development • Strategic Planning • Continuous Improvement & Innovation • Stakeholder Engagement • Strategic innovation • Delivering Enterprise Results and Value Orientation About CSL Behring CSL Behring is a global biotherapeutics leader driven by our promise to save lives. Focused on serving patients’ needs by using the latest technologies, we discover, develop and deliver innovative therapies for people living with conditions in the immunology, hematology, cardiovascular and metabolic, respiratory, and transplant therapeutic areas. We use three strategic scientific platforms of plasma fractionation, recombinant protein technology, and cell and gene therapy to support continued innovation and continually refine ways in which products can address unmet medical needs and help patients lead full lives. CSL Behring operates one of the world’s largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma. Our parent company, CSL, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs 32,000 people, and delivers its lifesaving therapies to people in more than 100 countries. To learn more about CSL, CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor visit https://www.csl.com/ and CSL Plasma at https://www.cslplasma.com/ . Our Benefits For more information on CSL benefits visit How CSL Supports Your Well-being | CSL . You Belong at CSL At CSL, Inclusion and Belonging is at the core of our mission and who we are. It fuels our innovation day in and day out. By celebrating our differences and creating a culture of curiosity and empathy, we are able to better understand and connect with our patients and donors, foster strong relationships with our stakeholders, and sustain a diverse workforce that will move our company and industry into the future. To learn more about inclusion and belonging visit https://www.csl.com/careers/inclusion-and-belonging Equal Opportunity Employer CSL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit https://www.csl.com/accessibility-statement .

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