Controls Strategy Lead (SCADA/Ignition)

Location: Hybrid; primary location in Rahway, New Jersey, United States. The role has two listed locations, with additional location details provided during the application process. Domestic relocation is indicated.

Base salary: $173,200–$272,600 per year for the primary location, plus eligibility for annual bonus and long-term incentive where applicable.

Company

hirify.global develops medicines and is building data-rich, connected laboratory environments combining hardware, software, automation, and AI-driven tools for pharmaceutical development.

What you will do

• Define the vision, roadmap, architecture, standards, and investment priorities for laboratory SCADA and orchestration platforms across Development Sciences and Clinical Supply.
• Design, develop, and deploy complex Ignition, automation, and integration solutions while providing technical leadership on critical programs.
• Establish reusable architectures, development patterns, governance, validation approaches, and implementation practices connecting instrumentation, robotics, process equipment, data platforms, and enterprise systems.
• Evaluate AI, advanced analytics, digital twins, and autonomous laboratory technologies and translate them into practical platform capabilities.
• Coach, mentor, and train laboratory automation, software, and digital engineering colleagues through projects, technical forums, and communities of practice.
• Build alignment across scientific, automation, digital, IT, engineering, facilities, and external technology teams, guiding technology selection and adoption.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field and at least 6 years of relevant experience; or M.S. and at least 8 years; or B.S. and at least 10 years.
• Significant experience designing and deploying industrial or laboratory SCADA, orchestration, or operations technology solutions.
• Expertise with Ignition, DeltaV, WinCC OA, or similar industrial automation platforms.
• Ability to lead technical strategy while remaining an active individual contributor.
• Experience delivering complex automation, integration, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience developing software with version control, testing, CI/CD, and maintainable software architectures.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting complex technical concepts to scientific and leadership audiences.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing talent.

Nice to have

• Understanding of systems integration, industrial networking, OT/IT convergence, cybersecurity, and platform architecture.
• Deep expertise with Ignition architectures, gateway deployment strategies, module development, and enterprise-scale implementations.
• Experience with laboratory digital transformation strategies; data historians, MES, LIMS, ELN, enterprise data platforms, and cloud analytics.
• Experience integrating laboratory robotics, process analytical technology, and advanced instrumentation platforms.
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in laboratory operations and scientific workflows.
• Experience building reusable software frameworks, development standards, or enterprise technology platforms.
• Understanding of biologics, vaccine, sterile, small molecule, or analytical development environments.
• Experience leading communities of practice, technical academies, or organizational training programs.
• Ability to identify future technology needs, develop long-term platform roadmaps, understand pharmaceutical regulatory and compliance requirements, and influence technical direction without direct authority.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work arrangement with approximately 10% travel.
• Medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits for employees and families.
• Retirement benefits including a 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
• Inclusive environment focused on diverse perspectives, respectful challenge, and collective problem-solving.
• Visa sponsorship is available.

Hiring process

• Applications are accepted through the hirify.global careers system.
• Accommodation support is available during the hiring process.