Automation Technician Apprentice

Join GSK’s Automation Technician Apprentice Program, Zebulon, US, 2027: Help us get ahead of disease together

GSK Apprenticeships are full-time entry level opportunities that offer high school graduates and first year college enrolled students (with less than 30 college credits) the opportunity to begin their career while studying towards their associate degree. This associate degree is fully funded by GSK. All apprenticeships are registered with the Department of Labor at each site, and apprentices receive a certificate of completion from the US Department of Labor upon their successful completion of their program. 

Education required: 

• High School diploma or equivalency diploma by June 2027

• High school GPA 2.5 (“B”) or above (4.0 scale)
• High school Algebra and Geometry or 2 units equivalent of academic math (GPA 2.5 or above in each case)
• High school English (GPA 2.5 or above)
• Must have 0 - 30 college credits

Preferred requirements:

• Have studied STEM, Computer Science, AP Maths, AP Science
• Have studied engineering, technology, robotics, or shop
• Less than 2-years’ experience in pharmaceutical or FDA interfacing industry (intern or shadowing opportunity)
• Less than 2-years’ experience in engineering or technical role (including intern or shadowing opportunity)
• Less than 2-years’ experience in manufacturing or production (including intern or shadowing opportunity

Language requirement: Written and spoken fluency in English.

Other requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age by August 1, 2027
• Less than 2 years of related work experience since graduating from high school.
• If offered a position the candidate must be willing to enroll, and meet entry requirements, with one of GSK's partnering community colleges or technical institutions, in the preferred related instruction course.
• Must be able to commute on a daily basis to GSK worksite and related instruction facility, with a maximum commute time of 60 minutes one way. 
  

Expected start date: August 2027

Application deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and this role will close once we have received enough applications. We recommend you apply as soon as possible.

Assessment Centre Date: May 2027

Are you looking to gain a head start in your career where you can help to positively impact the health of billions of people? Apply for the Automation Technician Apprentice program at GSK today!

We are looking for highly motivated high school graduates, with an interest in engineering, who are looking to jump start their career in the pharmaceutical industry. Automation is a field of engineering that encompasses mechanics, electronics, robotics and control engineering. The apprenticeship program allows you to develop hands-on technical skills while continuing your education. 

Working at our pharmaceutical manufacturing site you will help to ensure we have the latest, safe, efficient, and reliable processes and equipment to deliver life-saving medicines and vaccines to people in 90% of the world’s countries. This role will enable you to develop your skills in an industry that’s making radical changes to the way it develops and manufactures products.

Ahead together with tailored training and career development

This entry-level, development opportunity offers you the chance to study towards nationally recognized qualifications while gaining hands-on, paid on-the-job training.  Our apprentices attend college part-time studying theory elements of the apprenticeship while working at a GSK pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

Automation technician apprentices at Zebulon will spend approx. 1 day per week studying towards an Associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering technology at Waketech Community College.  You will spend most of your week working in our manufacturing facilities, rotating through different engineering departments, receiving tailored on-the-job training from our in-house industry experts and developing technical skills.  Over the 3- 4 years of the apprenticeship you will have a personal training program to help you develop and progress.

What will you do?

As an Automation Apprentice, you will participate in a rotational training program which will include time in manufacturing, utilities, packaging, and information technology.  During a rotation in manufacturing or packaging you will get involved in plant maintenance and projects that enhance our highly automated machinery or uplifting obsolete equipment.  Your rotations may include a time in plant utilities learning about water treatment systems and boilers. A rotation in Information Technology would involve activities such as helping implement network architecture design or troubleshooting various networking components.

Throughout the training program you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop mechanical, electrical, robotics, control and instrumentation skills.
• Learn how to maintain production and packaging equipment so that we can continuously manufacture our life-saving products.
• Learn how to diagnose and resolve breakdowns.
• Help design, install and test new equipment.
• Monitoring and analyzing production processes and data, utilizing various instruments and control systems.
• Working in teams to continuously improve the functionality of our automated equipment and processes.
• Work in a compliant manner to ensure the safety of yourself, others and the protection of the environment.

What do we offer you?

• Competitive salary. 
• Annual bonus based on company performance. 
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off. 
• Fully funded college education.
• On-the-job experience and formal and informal training and development, delivered through a mixture of coaching, mentoring and formal training programs.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning and a wide range of digital learning resources to support your professional development. 
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and networking opportunities that foster inclusion, connection, and professional growth. 
• Access to comprehensive wellbeing resources. 
• Employee recognition programs celebrating outstanding contributions. 
• Two paid volunteering days each year called “Together Days”.
• Up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave. 

Let’s do this!

You’ll find hints, tips and guidance on our recruitment process on our website

Learn more about the application process Apprentices | GSK US

Learn more about the application process Application process | GSK

You can learn more about GSK and our careers here https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/careers/

Apply now!

Need help with your application?

Please email us at  [email protected] and let us know how we can help you.

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Skills

Asset Life Cycle Management, Data Integrity, Digital Fluency, GxP Regulations, Lean Management, Manufacturing Technologies, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Problem Solving, Risk Awareness, Standards Compliance

Please visit  GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the appropriate Recruitment Staff by emailing us at - [email protected]

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

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