Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Project Manager, Engineering

Novartis Pharmaceuticals$108K — $201K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent experience
  • Seven years of experience in capital projects within regulated pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical settings
  • Experience with FDA-regulated and GMP-compliant projects
  • Strong knowledge of FDA regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices
  • Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and multi-discipline construction drawings

Responsibilities

  • Lead capital projects from concept through to completion, ensuring timeliness and budget adherence
  • Serve as primary contact for clients, managing expectations and fostering partnerships
  • Manage project scope, budget, and schedule changes, providing impact analysis and approvals
  • Collaborate with engineering firms to develop detailed designs and specifications
  • Oversee construction execution, coordinating contractors for installations
  • Manage resource plans to support project execution
  • Prepare funding requests, business cases, and financial justifications for projects
  • Identify project risks and implement mitigation and contingency plans

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, life, and disability benefits
  • 401(k) with company contribution and match
  • Generous time off package inclusive of vacation and personal days
  • Annual performance-based cash incentive
  • Potential eligibility for annual equity awards
Full Job Description

Band

Level 4

Job Description Summary

Step into a role where your engineering expertise directly shapes the future of life‑changing therapies. As a Project Manager, Engineering at Novartis, you will lead complex capital projects that expand and modernize our manufacturing capabilities, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient delivery for patients worldwide. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, external partners, and site leadership to translate strategy into execution, balancing technical rigor, cost, and timelines. This is a hands‑on opportunity to drive operational excellence, influence site transformation, and leave a lasting impact in a highly regulated, purpose‑driven environment.


 

Job Description

Location:

  • This position will be located in Durham, NC and will be an onsite role.
  • Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead capital projects from concept through close‑out, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to quality standards
  • Serve as primary client contact, managing expectations and maintaining strong cross‑functional partnerships
  • Manage project scope, budget, and schedule changes with clear impact analysis and documented approvals
  • Partner with engineering firms to develop detailed, biddable designs, specifications, and construction documents
  • Lead construction execution, coordinating contractors and vendors for facilities, utilities, and equipment installation
  • Develop and manage internal and external resource plans to support project execution demands
  • Prepare funding requests, business cases, and financial justifications for new and expanded projects
  • Identify project risks proactively and implement effective mitigation and contingency plans
  • Report project performance, progress, and issues to site leadership and senior stakeholders
  • Drive operational excellence by capturing lessons learned and supporting continuous improvement initiatives

Essential Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience
  • Seven years of experience delivering capital projects in regulated pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing environments
  • Demonstrated experience managing FDA‑regulated and GMP‑compliant projects within highly regulated facilities
  • Strong knowledge of FDA regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice systems
  • Experience with capital improvement projects, including process and production layout development
  • Proven capability managing construction projects for facility renovations and brownfield environments
  • Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and multi‑discipline construction drawings
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong technical writing capabilities

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $108,500 and $201,500 annually

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

#LI-Onsite


 

Salary Range

$108,500.00 - $201,500.00


 

Skills Desired

Business Continuity, Cost Management, Data Analytics and Digital (Inactive), Decision Making, Engineering Operations Management (Inactive), Engineering Technical Expertise (Inactive), GDP Knowledge (Inactive), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HSE Knowledge (Inactive), Manufacturing Process (Production) (Inactive), Operational Excellence, Problem Solving, Project Management, Quality Compliance, Resilience and Risk Management (Inactive), Resource Planning and Forecasting (Inactive), Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Vendor Management

About Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Novartis International AG is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland. It is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies by both market capitalization and sales. Novartis manufactures and markets a wide range of pharmaceuticals, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. The company's products are used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. Novartis also has a strong presence in the generic drug market, with its Sandoz division producing a wide range of generic drugs. The company is committed to research and development, with a focus on developing innovative treatments for unmet medical needs.
Learn more about Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Size
110,000 employees
Market Cap
$219.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$8 billion
Founded
1996
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$49.8 billion
NASDAQ

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