AtkinsRéalis

Design Services & Technical Oversight Lead - Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

AtkinsRéalis$170K — $200K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
  • 20+ years of engineering and design management experience
  • Experience with major capital projects exceeding $500 million
  • Pharmaceutical industry experience strongly preferred, with broader industrial experience considered

Responsibilities

  • Manage owner-side technical oversight across multiple projects
  • Serve as independent authority on design quality and technical governance
  • Review engineering deliverables for compliance with GMP and standards
  • Facilitate multidisciplinary design reviews with various stakeholders
  • Evaluate design maturity and technical readiness for project phases
  • Identify technical risks and recommend practical solutions
  • Mentor technical staff and promote engineering excellence

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Company-paid life and disability benefits
  • 401(k) with employer matching and full vesting
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Paid Time Off and flexible work options
Full Job Description

Job Description

Overview

We are seeking a Design Services & Technical Oversight Lead to join our Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in TX, AL, VA, PA, OH, IN, and WI.



Our Pharmaceutical team is growing! The Design Services & Technical Oversight Lead serves as the Owner's Representative technical authority responsible for providing independent review and oversight across all engineering and design activities supporting major pharmaceutical capital programs. This role ensures that engineering decisions align with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements, operational objectives, constructability expectations, commissioning strategies, and fast-track delivery goals. Unlike traditional engineering management roles, this position operates independently of designer and contractor delivery organizations, providing objective owner-side technical assessments and recommendations. The successful candidate will partner with client stakeholders, EPC firms, design consultants, construction teams, commissioning personnel, and operations leaders to validate technical solutions, challenge assumptions, identify risks, and improve overall project outcomes. This is a unique opportunity to help shape and lead one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing investments in North America while working alongside industry - leading professionals on a career-defining program on a greenfield campus. We are offering a full-time position with AtkinsRéalis that provides the opportunity to lead complex, high-profile programs, collaborate with world-class delivery teams, and receive a highly competitive compensation package with robust benefits.

Your role

  • Manage and lead owner-side technical oversight activities across multiple projects, facilities, and program workstreams.

  • Serve as the independent technical authority responsible for design quality, technical governance, and engineering assurance across EPC design packages.

  • Review engineering deliverables throughout all design phases to ensure compliance with GMP requirements, operational expectations, site standards, and regulatory commitments.

  • Facilitate multidisciplinary design reviews involving engineering, operations, manufacturing, quality, validation, commissioning, maintenance, and construction stakeholders.

  • Evaluate design maturity, technical completeness, and engineering readiness in support of project gates, funding approvals, procurement activities, and construction execution.

  • Provide independent assessments of proposed technical solutions, identifying opportunities to improve operability, maintainability, reliability, safety, and schedule performance.

  • Review facility layouts, process flows, utility systems, infrastructure designs, equipment arrangements, and integrated system interfaces.

  • Ensure engineering decisions support commissioning, qualification, validation, startup, and long-term operational requirements.

  • Lead GMP-focused design reviews to confirm alignment with regulatory expectations, quality objectives, contamination control strategies, and manufacturing requirements.

  • Identify technical risks, design gaps, interface issues, and scope conflicts that could impact project cost, schedule, quality, safety, or startup milestones.

  • Support technical evaluation of contractor proposals, engineering packages, value engineering recommendations, and scope change requests.

  • Coordinate technical alignment between client teams, EPC contractors, specialty consultants, vendors, and operations representatives.

  • Review engineering execution plans, design schedules, staffing plans, and design management processes.

  • Assess and provide recommendations on design standardization, modularization opportunities, system integration approaches, and future expansion considerations.

  • Support development and implementation of technical governance processes, design assurance procedures, and engineering review standards across the program.

  • Collaborate with project controls, procurement, commissioning, construction, validation, and operations teams to ensure technical decisions support overall program objectives.

  • Mentor technical staff and assist in establishing engineering excellence, lessons learned programs, and best practices across the portfolio.

  • Escalate significant technical concerns and provide executive-level recommendations to support timely decision-making.

About you

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.

  • Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

  • 20+ years of experience in engineering, design management, technical program leadership, EPC project delivery, or owner-side engineering oversight.

  • Experience supporting major capital projects exceeding $500 million in total installed cost; experience on multi-billion-dollar programs preferred.

  • Pharmaceutical industry experience strongly preferred; experience in semiconductor, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, chemical, data center, or other highly regulated industrial facilities will also be considered.

  • Experience working with EPC delivery models and large-scale engineering organizations.

  • Experience leading technical governance forums, design review meetings, risk assessments, and executive-level decision reviews.

  • Experience evaluating design packages for constructability, operability, maintainability, reliability, and startup readiness.

  • Experience collaborating with executive leadership, engineering firms, contractors, vendors, regulators, and operational stakeholders.

  • Experience with engineering management systems, document control platforms, project management systems, and Microsoft Office tools.

  • Demonstrated expertise leading multidisciplinary engineering reviews across process, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation & controls, automation, architectural, structural, utility, and infrastructure disciplines.

  • Proven ability to identify technical risks and provide practical, owner-focused recommendations.

  • Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments with multiple stakeholders and evolving program requirements.

  • Demonstrated ability to challenge technical assumptions objectively and make independent recommendations without delivery bias.

  • Strong understanding of GMP facility design principles, regulatory requirements, quality systems, and pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.

  • Strong understanding of lifecycle project delivery, including conceptual design, detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification, validation, and startup.

  • Strong knowledge of process systems, clean utilities, facility infrastructure, manufacturing support systems, and building services commonly utilized within pharmaceutical production environments.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate competing priorities and technical alternatives.

  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence outcomes across large, complex organizations.

Rewards & benefits 

AtkinsRéalis, our values—Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence—are more than just words. They are the foundation of who we are and how we work. These principles shape our culture, guide our decisions, and inspire us to create an environment where every team member feels empowered to grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact. 

Depending on your employment status, AtkinsRéalis benefits may include medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and short- and long-term disability benefits, employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, Paid Time Off, leaves of absences options, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits. You can review our comprehensive benefits page .  

Additional information 

Expected compensation range is between $170,000 - $200,000+ annually depending on skills, experience, and geographical location.

Are you ready to expand your career with us? Apply today and help us shape something extraordinary.

Worker TypeEmployee

Job TypeRegular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.  

About AtkinsRéalis

Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure. From offices in over 50 countries, SNC-Lavalin's approximately 40,000 employees provide EPC and EPCM services to clients in a variety of industry sectors, including oil and gas, mining and metallurgy, environment and water, infrastructure and power. SNC-Lavalin can also combine these services with its financing and operations and maintenance capabilities to provide complete end-to-end project solutions. SNC-Lavalin maintains exceptionally high standards for health and safety, ethics and compliance and environmental protection, and is committed to delivering quality projects on budget and on schedule to the complete satisfaction of its clients.

AtkinsRéalis Careers

Joining AtkinsRéalis presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance one's career with a leader in innovation and professional growth. AtkinsRéalis, a company renowned for its commitment to excellence and leadership in the industry, offers a plethora of job opportunities that pave the way for personal and professional development.

Explore Career Opportunities

AtkinsRéalis is actively seeking talented individuals for various positions across the company. With a focus on diversity and leadership development, AtkinsRéalis ensures that every team member is equipped with the skills and training necessary to excel. Job seekers can find a range of roles that match their skills and career aspirations.

Innovation and Professional Growth

At AtkinsRéalis, innovation isn't just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of the company's operations. Employees are encouraged to push boundaries and introduce new ideas that drive the company forward. This environment fosters professional growth and positions AtkinsRéalis as a leader in its field.

Internship Programs

For those starting their career journey, AtkinsRéalis offers robust internship programs that provide invaluable industry experience and networking opportunities. Interns at AtkinsRéalis work on real projects, gaining skills that are crucial for future employment while being immersed in a culture of learning and growth.

Benefits and Culture

Choosing to work at AtkinsRéalis means more than just employment; it's choosing to be part of a culture that values each individual's contribution. The company offers competitive benefits to support the health, well-being, and financial security of its team members and their families. AtkinsRéalis is committed to creating a workplace where diversity is celebrated and everyone can thrive.

Career Development and Training

AtkinsRéalis is dedicated to the continuous career development of its employees. The company offers various training and development programs, including leadership training and skills enhancement sessions, to ensure that everyone has the tools they need to succeed. Employees at AtkinsRéalis enjoy a clear path to career advancement, supported by resources that help them meet their professional goals.

Join the AtkinsRéalis Team

AtkinsRéalis is hiring! Explore the open positions and find where one's skills and interests align with the needs of the company. AtkinsRéalis looks for driven, curious, and innovative professionals to join its team. Prepare a resume, ace the interview, and take a step towards a rewarding career at AtkinsRéalis.

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