Previous Pharmaceutical/Biotech experience is mandatory for this role
This is an outstanding opportunity to join our growing team, where the successful candidate will work with a group of engineers involved in the design, commissioning & qualification, start-up and project management of various processes, systems, and facilities. The ideal candidate should possess leadership skills to lead teams of intermediate & junior engineers.
This role is for Sr. CQV Engineer will require to work on the validation of upstream and downstream bioprocess systems/equipment in the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as process equipment in pharma/biotech industries. The ideal candidate should possess leadership skills to lead teams of intermediate & junior engineers.
The work will require working out of client's facilities, which are typically in Los Angeles, California & surrounding areas.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical guidance in the commissioning, qualification and start-up of various pharmaceutical / biopharmaceutical cGMP process equipment, utilities & facilities.
- Lead the development (for example, write test cases) of key qualification deliverables such as DQ, FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ and PQ during the project lifecycle.
- Able to perform field execution of qualification test cases and protocols.
- Support development of Project Validation Plans (PVPs) to ensure the action plan to test the system is applicable and relevant.
- Lead qualification processes throughout the project lifecycle to ensure timely completion and to ensure all quality and engineering specifications are met.
- Possess knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and industry best practices on all or any of the following - Process equipment, clean utilities, automation systems, laboratory equipment, building & facilities
- Coordinate meetings with cross-functional departments, to drive project progress, facilitate decisions, and provide updates.
- Engage other departments, as required, in the design reviews and decisions.
- Travel may be occasionally required for meetings with equipment fabrication vendors or Factory Acceptance Testing (FATs).
- Work may require occasional support over shutdowns or extended hours, specifically during installation, construction, commissioning, qualification, and validation phases.
- Visit construction and installation sites, wearing necessary safety PPE.
- You may be involved with other aspects such as client-management (maintain key Client relationships in support of business development and pursuit of new work), project scheduling/budgeting, coordination of client and MMR resources for effective project delivery, supporting business development (providing technical support to the sales as required for proposals/opportunities), presenting at industry conferences/publishing papers etc.
- Supervise contractors during critical testing of system and equipment.
- Other duties as assigned by client, and/or MMR, based on workload and project requirements.
- As this position requires working on client sites, you will need to comply with the client's safety rules including mandatory vaccination policies for COVID-19, where applicable
- Lead/Mentor a team of validation engineers/specialists.
Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in commissioning, qualification or validation of various systems within the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.
- Previous experience in the pharmaceutical / biotech industry, with knowledge of requirements for cGMP operations.
- Validation experience such as cleaning validation, thermal validation, mixing studies, process validation, computer systems validation is an asset but not required.
- Experience with developing and executing validation projects to Risk-Based Commissioning & Qualification approaches, such as ASTM E-2500 or ISPE ICQ, is considered an asset, but not required.
- Experience with commissioning & qualification of process control systems (i.e. PCS, SCADA, Historians) and building automation systems are considered an asset.
- Experience with commissioning and qualifications of biotech process equipment, such as some, but not all, of the following: fermentation, bioreactors, downstream purification processes (chromatography, TFF, UF), CIP systems, Buffer systems, Clean Utilities would be an asset.
- Experience with Qualification or Validation of clean utilities and ISO clean rooms.
- Experience with preparation and execution of URS's, DQ's, RTMs, Risk Assessments, CPPs, VPPs, FATs, SATs, IOQs
- Lead teams of Validation staff, manage staff priorities, provide mentorship/oversight, help staff resolve issues. Leadership is considered an asset but not required.
- Possess leadership skills, and be able to take initiative to lead projects, involving multiple stakeholders, departments, and varying complexities.
- Possess mentorship skills, to coach and develop junior and intermediate employees.
- Engineering degree, preferably in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical.
- Travel may be required on occasion.
- Ability to handle multiple projects and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong multi-tasking skills
- Ability to lift 50 lbs.
Compensation: 110,000$ - 125,000$ based on experience.
