MSAT DP Sterile Process Lead

UCB; Belgique; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB is seeking an experienced MSAT DP Sterile Process Lead to provide technical leadership for sterile drug product manufacturing. The role supports design, qualification and operation of next-generation facilities in Belgium or Switzerland.

You will guide aseptic processing, contamination control and isolator-based filling technologies, driving continuous improvement across Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory and Validation teams. Hybrid work, with office presence in Belgium or Switzerland.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, MSAT, Process Engineering, Technical Services or Manufacturing Support.

Responsibilities

• Participate in design, start-up, qualification and operational readiness of new sterile facilities, including isolator-based filling operations.
• Lead cross-functional technology transfer and industrialization projects for sterile drug product manufacturing.
• Provide technical oversight for sterile manufacturing processes ensuring compliance with cGMP and regulatory expectations.
• Drive investigations, root-cause analyses and CAPA implementation for complex manufacturing issues.
• Author and review technical protocols, validation documentation, study plans and regulatory-supporting documents.
• Serve as technical authority during audits, inspections and regulatory interactions.

Skills

Aseptic processing

Contamination control

Isolator technology

Technology transfer

Process validation

Regulatory compliance

Root cause analysis

Technical leadership

Project management

GMP awareness

Education

Master's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

Make your mark for patients

To join our Internal Manufacturing, Biologics Manufacturing Science and Technology team, based in our office in Braine-L'Alleud, Belgium or Bulle, Switzerland , we are seeking a highly experienced MSAT DP Sterile Process Lead to provide technical leadership for sterile drug product manufacturing operations and future expansion projects.

About the role

This role combines deep expertise in aseptic processing, technology transfer, facility start-up, contamination control and operational excellence.

As a recognized Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will play a key role in supporting the design, qualification and operation of next-generation sterile manufacturing facilities, including isolator-based filling technologies. You will serve as a key technical partner to Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Validation and Regulatory teams while driving continuous improvement and fostering technical excellence across the organization.

You will lead the operational delivery of sterile drug product technology transfers from process scale-up through commercial validation and the full product lifecycle.

This position is ideal for an experienced professional passionate about sterile manufacturing, problem solving, knowledge sharing and technical leadership.

Who you’ll work with

You will be working in a multidisciplinary team that brings together manufacturing science and technology, quality, regulatory, analytical, supply and site colleagues. You will coordinate internal and external partners, build constructive team dynamics and provide clear progress, risk and decision updates to the Sterile Manufacturing Science and Technology leadership team.

What you’ll do

• Participate in the design, start-up, qualification and operational readiness of new sterile manufacturing facilities, including isolator-based filling operations, contamination control strategies, aseptic process simulations and process validation activities.
• Lead cross-functional technology transfer and industrialization projects for sterile drug product manufacturing, ensuring alignment across Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Validation, Engineering, Analytical Sciences and Supply Chain.
• As a subject matter expert (SME) for aseptic processing and sterile manufacturing technologies, provide technical oversight for sterile manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with global regulatory expectations, cGMP requirements and industry best practices.
• Drive second-line technical troubleshooting for complex manufacturing issues, leading structured investigations, root-cause analyses, risk assessments and implementation of sustainable CAPAs.
• Author, review and approve technical protocols, validation documentation, internal standard, study plans, reports, investigations, trend analyses and scientific justifications supporting manufacturing operations and regulatory submissions.
• Serve as a technical authority during audits, inspections, regulatory interactions and due diligence activities related to sterile manufacturing operations.
• Lead a Sterile Manufacturing Community of Practice by sharing best practices, industry trends, lessons learned and emerging technologies, while developing organizational knowledge and technical capabilities to the organization.
• Contribute to due diligence for manufacturing site selection, technology assessments and strategic investments by evaluating technical capabilities, operational readiness and compliance risks.
• Manage project scope, timelines, resources, budgets, risks and mitigation plans to ensure successful execution of MSAT objectives and business priorities.

Interested?

• For this role we’re looking for the following education, experience and skills:
• Master's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, MSAT, Process Engineering, Technical Services or Manufacturing Support.
• Demonstrated expertise in aseptic processing, contamination control and isolator technology.
• Strong understanding of Annex 1, FDA aseptic processing guidance, cGMP requirements and contamination control principles.
• Experience supporting facility start-up, qualification, process validation and commercial manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading complex investigations and troubleshooting multidisciplinary manufacturing issues.
• Experience authoring and reviewing technical protocols, validation reports and regulatory-supporting documentation.
• Strong presentation, communication and influencing skills with the ability to act as a recognized SME across multiple functions.
• Experience facilitating technical forums, communities of practice or knowledge-sharing networks is highly desirable.
• Fluent written and spoken English, with the ability to summarise complex topics and present clear options.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

About us

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us?

At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [e-mail]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.