Principal Automation Engineer - Warehouse Automation

About the role

Roche/Genentech is building a new manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, focused on large-volume drug product manufacturing. The Principal Automation Engineer - Warehouse Automation is responsible for the technical integrity, reliability and optimization of the automated material handling systems, acting as subject matter expert for the Körber K.One.X warehouse control system, high-density AS/RS systems and the AGV fleet. The role bridges physical hardware and the digital warehouse layer while maintaining GxP compliance. Work starts partly remote and onsite, then becomes full-time on-site once buildings are built, with travel of up to 30% during the project phase.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor the daily performance of the K.One.X (WCS) and AS/RS, spotting stuck telegrams or queue bottlenecks early
• Provide L2/L3 technical support, troubleshooting PLC-to-WCS handshakes and acting as the top internal escalation point
• Maintain and test disaster recovery procedures for WCS and PLC configurations
• Manage AGV fleet availability (battery health, charging stations, sensor calibration) and tune FMS parameters to avoid congestion
• Audit AGV safety fields and emergency stop circuits, and manage site robotics fleet management systems
• Monitor SAP EWM-to-WCS message logs so stock location matches its digital twin, and ensure 21 CFR Part 11 audit trails are captured and archived
• Analyze OEE data to propose logic changes that shorten cycle times and reduce wear

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical or Computer Science (8 years of automation/instrument and control experience, preferably in drug product) or Master's in Engineering (6 years)
• 5 years in pharma/biotech and GMP experience highly preferred
• 24/7 on-call support, including weekends and holidays
• Ability to work in a high-density warehouse, at heights or near moving machinery

Required skills

• Troubleshooting PLCs (Siemens TIA Portal or Rockwell Automation) and Profinet/EtherNet/IP
• SAP EWM or similar WMS interfaces (IDocs, queues, RFC calls)
• Familiarity with AGV navigation (laser, natural or magnetic) and FMS software
• Knowledge of GAMP5 and 21 CFR Part 11 highly preferred

What we offer

• Salary range of $95,200 - $176,800 depending on experience and qualifications
• Discretionary annual bonus based on individual and company performance
• Benefits package (relocation benefits not available)