Advanced Process Control Lead

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Job Description

About the role

As the Advanced Process Control Lead, you will be in charge of developing and implementing advanced process control (APC) strategies across global manufacturing sites, integrating control engineering technologies into operations, and leading projects to enhance manufacturing precision and efficiency. It also involves designing future-ready, real-time adaptive control systems aligned with Takeda's vision for the factory of the future, while collaborating with various teams to incorporate APC into product development.

Your accountabilities

• Advanced Process Control (APC) Strategy: Develop and implement advanced process control (APC) strategies across global manufacturing sites to ensure automated precision control and cost-efficient manufacturing. Partner with IT/OT teams within global & local Engineering, Digital Data and Technology (DD&T) and with Manufacturing Sciences (Msci) teams to achieve APC at scale aligned with business objectives.  

• Control Engineering Integration: Lead the integration of control engineering technologies such as model predictive control (MPC), process analytical technologies (PAT), hard/soft sensor into manufacturing unit operations. Leverage on established digital platforms and infrastructure (e.g., MES, OSI PI, SIMCA Online) to embed these technologies into supervisory control / automation systems.

• Project Leadership: Serve as the point of contact for advanced process control (APC) suppliers, managing technical discussions and overseeing project / program deliverables.

• Factory of the future (FoF): Design blueprints for real-time adaptive and feedback control systems using digital twin technology. Align Manufacturing Sciences’ (MSci) vision for APC with Takeda’s factory of the future (FoF) program to achieve scalable adoption across global manufacturing sites.

• Future-ready Processes: Partner with R&D and Pharmaceutical Sciences to incorporate process control concepts into the product development lifecycle, including the development of mechanistic and statistical models for process simulation

• Standards and Frameworks: Develop global APC standards and frameworks that ensure reliable manufacturing solutions aligned with corporate objectives

• Lead and implement advanced process control (APC) projects and programs across GMS and in collaboration with IT/OT teams incl. planning and budgeting, goal setting and tracking

• Establish interfaces with key stakeholders, i.e., other GMSci functions (Plasma, Small Molecule & Oncology and Biologics), Operational Units (OpUs), DD&T, Global Engineering (GE), PharmSci etc., for project/program execution

• Organize and lead the monthly APC Program Meeting with updates to senior management and key stakeholders

• Actively contribute to GMS initiatives such as eAGILE and Factories of the Future (FoF) by advancing process innovation, digital transformation, and technology adoption.

What you bring to Takeda

• A Master’s degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) – preferably: in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (with focus on Control Theory)

• Strong foundational knowledge of control theory (state-space models, transfer functions, FFT, PID, Kalman filters etc.)

• 3-5 years in pharmaceutical/biotech industry; familiar with cGMP requirements

• Hands-on experience with implementing PAT/Soft Sensors and/or model predictive control (MPC) (e.g. bioreactor feeding strategies) in manufacturing environments.

• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, including cGMP, ICH guidelines and FDA/EMA expectations for advanced process control (APC) systems.

• Proven track record in applying process analytical technologies (PAT), model predictive control (MPC) and hard/soft sensors integration into manufacturing processes.

• Experience with industry-standard software such as MATLAB/Simulink, SIMCA (Online & Offline), OSI PI, Discoverant, Process Control Systems (SCADA, PID Controllers etc.), Raman and NIR spectroscopy, Flow-VPE/X, in-line UV/pH, Soft Sensors

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex APC and PAT concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders, ensuring alignment and fostering adoption of advanced technologies.

• Strong understanding of data engineering, contextualization, and FAIR data principles to support the integration of APC and PAT systems with digital platforms for predictive and adaptive process control.

As a recognized expert within your business or function, you possess comprehensive expertise in your discipline and broad knowledge across related areas. You excel at anticipating internal/external challenges, recommending improvements, and providing leadership and consultative expertise for a specific business, region or function. Your role involves shaping company policies, solving unique, far-reaching problems affecting operations, disciplines, or other business units/functional areas/regions. You frequently interact with equivalent-level managers and customer representatives, conducting briefings and technical meetings. Operating independently, you provide guidance in the most complex situations, lead functional teams or projects, and serve as a best practice/quality resource.

LocationsZurich, Switzerland

Worker TypeEmployee

Worker Sub-TypeRegular

Time TypeFull time