About this role
Work Schedule First Shift (Days) Environmental Conditions Office Job Description Location/Division Specific Information This position is based in Millersburg, PA, and will support the Single Use Division (SUD). Discover Impactful Work We are seeking a transformational engineering leader who can build the technical capabilities required for our next decade of growth. This individual is equally comfortable leading automation strategy, capital investment, manufacturing engineering, facilities, and maintenance while developing high-performing teams.
The ideal candidate has a proven track record of leading change in complex manufacturing environments, enjoys solving cross-functional business challenges, and is passionate about building the future rather than maintaining the present. This leader will combine strong technical expertise with people leadership, strategic thinking, and operational execution to advance manufacturing performance, technology, automation, and continuous improvement across the site. A Day in the Life This leader will establish and execute a multi-year engineering, automation, and capital investment roadmap, ensuring engineering resources are aligned to the highest business priorities and future growth objectives .
They will provide strategic oversight of capital projects from concept through implementation, partnering with site and divisional leadership to deliver projects safely, on schedule, and within budget while maximizing operational return on investment. In partnership with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, Continuous Improvement, and Finance, the Senior Manager will lead cross-functional initiatives that improve manufacturing performance, equipment reliability, process capability, quality, capacity, and customer responsiveness. The role is expected to drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by integrating automation, digital manufacturing technologies, and data-driven decision making into everyday operations.
The Senior Manager will champion automation and new technology implementation to improve manufacturing efficiency, reliability, quality, capacity, and scalability. They will provide technical and strategic direction for manufacturing processes and engineering systems while leveraging Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Practical Process Improvement (PPI) methodologies to drive sustainable operational improvements. As the leader of the engineering organization, this individual will build a high-performing technical team by recruiting, developing, and coaching engineering talent while creating a strong succession pipeline for critical technical roles.
They will establish clear performance expectations, foster accountability, encourage collaboration across functions, and develop leaders capable of supporting the site's long-term strategic objectives . The Senior Manager will provide leadership for manufacturing engineering, facilities, maintenance, automation, and engineering systems, ensuring these capabilities evolve with the needs of the business. They will manage multiple engineering programs and priorities while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, compliance, execution, and measurable results.
Other key responsibilities include seamless execution of new product/process introductions (NPI), technology transfers, manufacturing scale-up, and process validation. The Senior Manager will monitor key manufacturing and engineering performance indicators, including OEE, MTTR, RFT, OTTP, and OTIF, and use performance data to identify opportunities and prioritize engineering resources. The role will lead site master planning and asset lifecycle management and support process characterization and qualification activities, including DOE, IQ, OQ, PV, and PQ.
This individual will be part of the change control board, where they will assess technical risk and business impact and support effective implementation of changes. The Senior Manager will also manage external vendors and contractors as part of ongoing site service contracts and capital programs and provide engineering support for site-specific customer and regulatory audits. Beyond functional leadership, the Senior Manager will serve as a strategic business partner and member of the site leadership team, helping shape operational strategy, evaluate business risks, prioritize investments, and ensure engineering capabilities evolve to meet future customer and business needs.
They will build strong partnerships with stakeholders at all organizational levels and effectively communicate technical priorities, risks, recommendations, and business impact. As a change leader, they will help teams adopt new technologies , processes, systems, and ways of working that strengthen manufacturing performance. Success in this role will be measured not only by operational and engineering performance, but by the organization's ability to transform into a highly automated, agile, reliable, and technically capable manufacturing operation that supports sustainable long-term growth.
Keys to Success Education Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Chemical, or related discipline). Advanced degree is beneficial. Experience 10+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience.
5+ years leading technical teams. Experience leading organizational and technical change in complex manufacturing environments. Experience within regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Experience leading facilities, engineering, and maintenance teams in regulated manufacturing. Capital project leadership experience from business case development through execution. Demonstrated manufacturing automation and digitalization experience.
Experience with manufacturing controls systems. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute engineering strategies and roadmaps aligned with business objectives . Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement experience; knowledge of Six Sigma and PPI methodologies preferred.
Experience with new product introductions, technology transfers, manufacturing scale-up, and process validation. Strong project management skills with experience leading complex, cross-functional engineering initiatives. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels. Proficiency with manufacturing systems, automation platforms, and quality tools. Strong understanding of cGMP, ISO standards, quality systems, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and competing business needs. Experience with capital project planning, budgeting, prioritization, and resource allocation. Industry certifications in Six Sigma, PMP, or related areas are beneficial.
Benefits We offer competitive compensation, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization and outstanding career and development prospects. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.
As one team, we share a common set of values - Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement - working together to accelerate research, solve complex scientific challenges, drive technological innovation, and support patients in need. #StartYourStory at Thermo Fisher Scientific.