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AstraZeneca

Global pharmaceutical company developing prescription medicines

Director – Digital Twin & Intelligent Manufacturing Capabilities

Manufacturing & Process EngineeringPosted on Nov 9
Full-timeGaithersburg, MD, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • An advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Engineering, Manufacturing Systems, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Life Sciences, or a related technical discipline is required.
  • 12–20+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, manufacturing, engineering, automation, process development, digital transformation, or related industries is required.
  • Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-scale Digital Twin, Process Twin, Process Intelligence, Simulation, Advanced Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or Intelligent Manufacturing initiatives is required.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, automation environments, industrial data flows, manufacturing data ecosystems, and Intelligent Manufacturing concepts is required.
  • Experience evaluating technology platforms, software vendors, emerging technologies, and digital capabilities is required.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop capability roadmaps, guide technology investments, and establish enterprise governance and standards is required.
  • Strong understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced analytics, simulation technologies, and their practical application in manufacturing and process environments is required.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional transformation initiatives in highly matrixed organizations is required.
  • Proven ability to influence senior scientific, manufacturing, business, and technology stakeholders without direct authority is required.
  • Experience in biologics manufacturing, process development, manufacturing sciences, technology transfer, or technical operations is preferred.
  • Experience working across BPD, MPAS, Manufacturing, Tech Transfer, Automation, IT, Data & AI, and Enterprise Architecture organizations is preferred.
  • Familiarity with Digital Twin and Process Intelligence platforms such as BaseTwo, M-Star, FlexSim, BioSolve, Solvace, AspenTech, AVEVA, or similar ecosystems is preferred.
  • Experience establishing enterprise communities of practice, governance models, capability-development programs, or Centers of Excellence is preferred.
  • Experience leading innovation partnerships, university collaborations, internship programs, or applied research initiatives is preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Define and maintain the enterprise strategy for Digital Twins, Process Twins, Process Intelligence, Modeling, Simulation, and Intelligent Manufacturing capabilities across GTO.
  • Establish and evolve a multi-year capability roadmap aligned with GTO priorities, Digital Tech Transfer strategy, manufacturing modernization initiatives, and enterprise digital objectives.
  • Identify strategic opportunities to improve technology transfer, process characterization, scale-up, manufacturing readiness, process robustness, operational performance, and business value.
  • Develop capability maturity models, adoption frameworks, and value realization approaches to support enterprise scaling.
  • Translate business needs and manufacturing challenges into actionable capability roadmaps, standards, investment priorities, and implementation approaches.
  • Define how Digital Twins, manufacturing systems, automation environments, process data, simulation platforms, advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence capabilities work together in GTO’s Intelligent Manufacturing ecosystem.
  • Lead evaluation and selection of Digital Twin, Process Intelligence, Modeling, Simulation, and artificial-intelligence-enabled manufacturing technologies.
  • Drive technology strategy and investment recommendations across platforms, tools, vendors, and strategic partnerships.
  • Assess emerging technologies and industry developments to guide future capability investments and roadmap decisions.
  • Partner with Enterprise Architecture, IT, Data & AI, Automation, and Digital organizations to define scalable architectures, integration approaches, and operational models.
  • Establish approaches for connecting process knowledge, manufacturing systems, automation platforms, process data, simulations, and Digital Twins through effective data flows and information architectures.
  • Guide build-versus-buy decisions and strategic technology direction for Digital Twin and Intelligent Manufacturing capabilities.
  • Establish governance frameworks, standards, methodologies, and best practices for Digital Twin and Process Intelligence capabilities across GTO.
  • Define and oversee model lifecycle management approaches, including model transition, deployment, maintenance, monitoring, documentation, and retirement.
  • Establish ownership models, stewardship expectations, support models, and decision-making frameworks for Digital Twin and Process Intelligence capabilities.
  • Develop reusable methods, templates, and standards that enable scalability and consistency across products, sites, and manufacturing networks.
  • Ensure Digital Twin and Process Intelligence initiatives are aligned to enterprise quality, regulatory, and operational expectations.
  • Establish and lead the GTO Digital Twin & Process Intelligence Community of Practice and Center of Excellence.
  • Build and maintain a network of practitioners and subject matter experts across Manufacturing, MPAS, Tech Transfer, BPD, Automation, IT, Data & AI, Site Digital organizations, and Regional Digital Leads.
  • Develop standards, reference architectures, implementation guidance, training materials, and best practices to support capability maturity and enterprise adoption.
  • Promote innovation, knowledge sharing, and capability development across the organization.
  • Sponsor and oversee Digital Twin and Process Intelligence initiatives involving interns, graduate students, and university partnerships aligned to strategic business priorities.
  • Collaborate with academic institutions, innovation partners, and external research organizations to advance Digital Twin and Intelligent Manufacturing capabilities.
  • Partner with MPAS, Tech Transfer, BPD, Singapore manufacturing organizations, Alexion, FMC, and Manufacturing organizations to identify opportunities and shape future-state capabilities.
  • Ensure Digital Twin and Process Intelligence strategies align with broader Digital Tech Transfer, Intelligent Manufacturing, and GTO transformation objectives.
  • Lead complex cross-functional initiatives requiring alignment across business, scientific, manufacturing, digital, and technology organizations.
  • Influence strategic decisions and drive organizational alignment without direct authority.
  • Translate emerging technologies into scalable business capabilities and measurable outcomes.
  • Build and manage relationships with strategic technology vendors, industry organizations, academic partners, and innovation ecosystems.
  • Lead technology assessments, proof-of-concept initiatives, capability evaluations, and vendor-selection activities.
  • Monitor industry developments in Digital Twins, Process Intelligence, Manufacturing Analytics, Simulation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Intelligent Manufacturing.
  • Guide strategic partnerships and investment decisions that strengthen GTO’s long-term Digital Twin and Process Intelligence capabilities.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience in biologics manufacturing, process development, manufacturing sciences, technology transfer, or technical operations.
  • Experience working across BPD, MPAS, Manufacturing, Tech Transfer, Automation, IT, Data & AI, and Enterprise Architecture organizations.
  • Familiarity with Digital Twin and Process Intelligence platforms such as BaseTwo, M-Star, FlexSim, BioSolve, Solvace, AspenTech, AVEVA, or similar ecosystems.
  • Experience establishing enterprise communities of practice, governance models, capability-development programs, or Centers of Excellence.
  • Experience leading innovation partnerships, university collaborations, internship programs, or applied research initiatives.

About the Company

AstraZeneca

Global pharmaceutical company developing prescription medicines

AstraZeneca develops and markets prescription medicines and vaccines worldwide, with a focus on oncology, cardiovascular/metabolic, respiratory, and infectious diseases. Its products work by targeting specific biological pathways or cells, using small-molecule therapies, biologics, and vaccines to treat diseases or prevent infections. It differentiates itself through its dual heritage from Sweden and the UK, a broad pipeline, and strong R&D and collaborations that move from discovery to patient access. Its goal is to improve people’s health by discovering, developing, and delivering medicines and vaccines to patients worldwide.

Company size
10,001+
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Founded
1913

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