Automation Technician Apprentice Program, Zebulon, US, 2027

Location: USA - North Carolina - Zebulon

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 live within 60-minute commute to GSK worksite and partner community college (either by public transportation or driving) and commute on a daily basis.

Expected start date: September 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?

A competitive salary

An annual bonus based on company performance

Access to healthcare and well-being programs, savings programs (401K), time off and childcare support.

Employee recognition programs, which reward exceptional achievements

On-the-job experience and formal and informal training and development, delivered through a mixture of coaching, mentoring and formal training programs

Fully funded college education!

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