Job Description

Our Work Matters
At Kindeva, we make products that save lives, ensuring better health and well-being for patients around the world.

As a Director of Automation & CSV, you will play a critical role in leading and standardizing pharmaceutical automation programs across three manufacturing sites of varying automation maturity. You will serve as the enterprise automation leader responsible for new facility stand-up, all supporting and filling equipment, automated visual inspection systems, auto-injector and device assembly automation, packaging integration, serialization, and full lifecycle system ownership from specification through commercialization.

You will combine deep pharmaceutical automation expertise with strong organizational leadership to build a scalable, sustainable automation program that supports operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and long-term talent development. This is a highly visible leadership role with significant impact across multiple sites and functions.
Responsibilities
Enterprise Automation Strategy
- Develop and execute a multi-year automation roadmap across three sites.
- Standardize controls architecture, PLC/HMI platforms, data systems, and automation governance.
- Establish a robust lifecycle management program aligned with GAMP and regulatory expectations.
- Lead modernization initiatives for legacy systems while ensuring minimal operational disruption.

New Facility & Capital Project Leadership
- Lead automation strategy for major expansion projects.
- Own development and oversight of URS, FS, DS, FAT/SAT, commissioning, qualification, and PPQ support.
- Drive seamless integration from equipment procurement through validated commercial launch.
- Provide technical oversight during capital justification and vendor selection processes.

Fill-Finish & Inspection Automation
- Provide subject matter expertise in:
- Automated visual inspection (AVI) for syringes and vials
- Cosmetic and particulate detection technologies
- Reject management and data capture systems
- Ensure inspection systems meet global regulatory and data integrity expectations.

Auto-Injector & Combination Product Automation
- Lead automation oversight for auto-injector and specialty device assembly systems, including:
- Component feeding and orientation
- Needle safety system integration
- Plunger rod insertion and final device assembly
- Functional device testing (force, timing, deployment verification)
- Traceability and tamper-evident integration
- Ensure compliance with combination product regulatory requirements.

Packaging, Serialization & Specialty Packaging
- Oversee packaging automation platforms including:
- Multi-carton configurations
- Blister packaging
- Specialty packaging for combination products
- Auto-injector final pack-out systems
- Serialization and aggregation (unit through pallet)
- Ensure compliance with DSCSA, EU FMD, and global track-and-trace requirements.
- Integrate packaging and serialization systems with enterprise data platforms.

Lifecycle & Commercialization Ownership
- Provide automation leadership from concept through commercialization.
- Partner with Validation and Quality to ensure compliant IQ/OQ/PQ execution.
- Drive automation reliability, performance monitoring, and OEE optimization.
- Implement structured change control and digital lifecycle documentation practices.

Multi-Site Technical Oversight
- Harmonize automation standards across three sites.
- Establish standardized spare parts strategy and obsolescence management.
- Provide escalation leadership for critical automation events.
- Define modernization roadmaps based on risk and operational impact.

Organizational Development & Talent Strategy
- Build and lead a high-performing automation engineering organization.
- Develop structured onboarding and certification pathways for new engineers.
- Implement cross-training frameworks to ensure operational redundancy.
- Establish a formal succession planning and competency development program.
- Create a sustainable staffing model balancing capital project demand and operational support.

Compliance & Data Integrity
- Ensure compliance with:
- 21 CFR Part 11
- Annex 11
- GAMP 5 lifecycle standards
- Combination product regulatory guidance
- Maintain audit readiness across automation systems and digital infrastructure.
- Partner with IT/OT to strengthen cybersecurity and system resilience.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive pharmaceutical automation experience.
- Demonstrated success leading automation for new fill-finish or device manufacturing facilities.
- Strong experience in validation, commissioning, and commercialization support.
- Proven leadership experience building and developing automation teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Deep expertise in:
- Automated visual inspection (vials and syringes)
- Auto-injector assembly and device automation
- Formulation, filling, inspection and packaging automation and serialization systems
- Multi-site automation leadership
Core Competencies
- Pharmaceutical fill-finish automation
- Combination product and device assembly automation
- Packaging & serialization integration
- PLC, SCADA, HMI, MES architecture
- Lifecycle validation and data integrity
- Multi-site standardization
- Organizational development & succession planning
- Strategic capital execution
Physical Requirements
- Employees are required to follow all cGMP and safety procedures.
- Must wear all required PPE and perform assigned work in a safe manner.
- Must use proper lifting techniques and be aware of hazards in the environment.
- Vision requirements include: close, distance, color vision, and focus adjustment.
Impact of the Role
This position will define and institutionalize a long-term, robust automation program across three manufacturing sites. The leader in this role will ensure scalable, compliant, and technically advanced manufacturing systems capable of supporting complex fill-finish operations and combination products

California residents should review our Notice for California Employees and Applicants before applying.

Kindeva does not accept unsolicited assistance from headhunters or recruitment firms for any of our job openings. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted to Kindeva employees—regardless of format—without a valid, signed agreement and an approved job order from an authorized signatory in Talent Acquisition will be considered the sole property of Kindeva. No fees will be paid in the event that a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited resume or referral.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Kindeva Drug Delivery is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, Protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

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