Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Staff Project Engineer

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, pharmaceutical technology, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum five years of experience in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
  • At least eight years of experience managing engineering or capital projects end to end.
  • Expertise in current Good Manufacturing Practice regulated environments.
  • Strong skills in stakeholder engagement and cross-functional team coordination.
  • Proficiency in managing change controls and quality documentation.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to handle competing priorities.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the delivery of engineering projects from initiation to closeout.
  • Develop and manage budgets and schedules for project execution.
  • Coordinate with teams, vendors, and contractors for efficient project delivery.
  • Ensure compliance with GMP, safety, and company policies throughout projects.
  • Oversee change controls and engineering documentation processes.
  • Mentor junior engineers and supervise contractors during projects.
  • Identify project risks and proactively resolve issues.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, life, and disability benefits.
  • 401(k) plan with company contributions and match.
  • Generous time-off package including vacation and personal days.
  • Eligibility for performance-based cash incentives and annual equity awards.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and mentorship.
Full Job Description

Job Description Summary

Step into a role where your engineering expertise directly shapes the performance, safety, and reliability of a critical pharmaceutical manufacturing site. As a Staff Project Engineer, you will lead meaningful capital and engineering projects from concept through completion, partnering closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure every solution meets the highest standards of quality, compliance, and patient safety. This is an opportunity to take ownership, mentor others, and see your impact come to life on a site that plays a vital role in delivering life‑changing medicines to patients around the world.

Job Description

Location:

  • This position will be located in Morris Plains, NJ 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 end‑to‑end delivery of small to medium engineering projects, from initiation through closeout.
  • Develop budgets, schedules, and forecasts, ensuring delivery within approved scope, timeline, and capital expenditure.
  • Coordinate cross‑functional teams, vendors, and contractors to execute projects safely and efficiently.
  • Ensure compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice, safety, environmental, and company policies throughout project lifecycles.
  • Oversee change controls, qualification activities, and engineering documentation in alignment with approved procedures.
  • Supervise contractors and junior engineers, providing technical guidance and mentoring to support high‑quality execution.
  • Identify and manage project risks, resolving issues proactively to maintain timelines and stakeholder confidence.
  • Prepare capital approval packages and maintain accurate, audit‑ready project documentation.
  • Drive inspection readiness, safety assessments, and effective handover to user organizations upon project completion.

Essential Requirements:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, pharmaceutical technology, architecture, or a related scientific discipline.
  • At least five years of experience in the pharmaceutical or regulated manufacturing industry.
  • At least eight years of experience managing engineering or capital projects end to end.
  • Demonstrated experience working in current Good Manufacturing Practice regulated environments.
  • Strong experience coordinating cross‑functional teams and engaging stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
  • Proven ability to manage change controls, quality documentation, and inspection readiness activities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

Desirable Requirements:

  • Experience executing engineering projects within active pharmaceutical manufacturing or classified cleanroom environments.
  • Familiarity with quality systems including corrective and preventive action management, document control, and training systems.

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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