About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to creating a healthier world for all people. For over 35 years, Gilead has pioneered breakthroughs in treating HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. The company has delivered a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary HIV treatments and prevention methods, and advanced therapies for viral, inflammatory diseases, and certain cancers. Headquartered in Foster City, California, Gilead's mission drives relentless innovation, ensuring global access to life-changing medicines. With a collaborative culture and bold ambitions, Gilead tackles the world's biggest health challenges, making it an ideal place for ambitious professionals in life sciences.

Role Overview

The Building Automation Systems Engineer, Manager position at Gilead Sciences in Foster City, California, is a hands-on leadership role overseeing automation for three new R&D facilities, with expansion into GMP environments. This manager-level position requires 95% technical involvement in programming, troubleshooting, and implementation. You'll lead a team of five BMS members, partner with automation engineers, and ensure 99.997% system uptime. Ideal for experts in PLC programming, Ignition SCADA, and HVAC systems passionate about GMP compliance in biotech.

Key Responsibilities

In this critical role, you'll drive operational excellence across Gilead's cutting-edge facilities. Key responsibilities include maintaining 99.997% uptime for building automation and campus Hazardous Monitoring Systems. You'll program and configure PLCs—primarily Allen Bradley and Rockwell—for HVAC, lighting, and environmental monitoring. Additionally, configure Ignition SCADA systems and utilize PI Historian for trend data analysis. Review designs, deployments, and optimizations of PLC-based BMS infrastructure. Provide automation support to mechanics and end-users, implement sustainability efforts, and prepare systems for GMP standards. Coordinate with contractors, commissioning agents, and validation teams during construction. Hands-on troubleshooting, repairs, and updates ensure safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Mentor teammates, manage budgets, and document specifications, change controls, SOPs for audits.

Technical Leadership

Lead while staying deeply technical: spearhead continual improvements, integrate systems across potentially 38 buildings, and champion GMP readiness in R&D and regulated spaces.

Qualifications & Requirements

Basic qualifications include a BS/BA with 6+ years of experience or MS/MA with 4+ years in building automation or related fields. Preferred candidates bring expert-level PLC experience with Allen Bradley and Rockwell Automation, ownership of campus-scale Ignition SCADA, and self-starting drive for improvements. Strong familiarity with protocols like BACnet, Modbus, OPC is essential, alongside deep HVAC knowledge, cleanroom standards, and compliance in R&D/pharma. Experience in GMP operations, commissioning, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), and calibration sets standouts apart. Outstanding organizational, communication skills, and a detail-oriented mindset are required, plus Siemens Insight/Desigo proficiency as a plus.

Benefits & Perks

Gilead Sciences offers premium benefits to support your well-being and career. Enjoy competitive salaries with performance incentives, comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage. Robust 401(k) matching, retirement plans, and financial wellness programs provide security. Professional development includes tuition reimbursement, leadership training, and internal mobility. Generous PTO, flexible scheduling, and family leave policies promote work-life balance. Onsite fitness centers, wellness programs, and commuter benefits enhance daily life. Join a culture valuing inclusion, empowerment, and bold impact.

Career Growth

At Gilead, people leaders shape culture and employee experiences. This role positions you for advancement in automation engineering, facilities management, or broader operations leadership. Gain exposure to GMP expansion, cross-functional partnerships, and innovative R&D environments. Gilead invests in your growth through mentorship, training, and high-visibility projects contributing to HIV, oncology, and inflammatory disease therapies. Ambitious professionals thrive here, evolving from technical experts to strategic influencers.

Why Join Gilead

Join Gilead to make a direct impact on global health. Work on facilities supporting cures and therapies for HIV, oncology, inflammatory diseases, and beyond. Foster City offers a vibrant Bay Area location with collaborative teams and state-of-the-art labs. Be part of a company united in confronting public health challenges, with a relentless drive for innovation. Every role at Gilead advances bold ambitions, offering purpose, stability, and premium rewards in biopharma.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this a fully hands-on role? Yes, approximately 95% hands-on with system programming, troubleshooting, and implementation, plus leadership.
Q: What systems will I work with? Primarily Allen Bradley/Rockwell PLCs, Ignition SCADA, PI Historian, HVAC controls; Siemens a plus.
Q: Is GMP experience required? Preferred for future expansion; strong drive for compliance is key.
Q: What's the team structure? Lead 5 BMS members, partner with automation engineers.
Q: Location details? Based in Foster City, California, onsite for facilities operations.
Q: Salary range? Estimated $170,000-$220,000 USD annually, based on experience and market rates.