Fire Protection Systems Project Manager

Lonza Group AG; Oberwallis; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile career culture

Inclusive workplace

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Lonza Group AG in Visp is seeking a Fire Protection Systems Project Manager to lead key fire protection initiatives across major CAPEX projects, ensuring compliance with VKF/SES standards in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The site-based role requires collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, overseeing sprinkler, deluge, dry extinguishing and retention systems, with a strong emphasis on QA, 3D coordination, and documentation for a successful handover. 12-month contract.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Process/Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in engineering, project execution, or operations for fire protection systems.
• Familiarity with Swiss fire protection standards (VKF, SES).
• Business fluent in local language; English work proficiency preferred.
• VKF certification is a strong plus.
• EU citizenship or Swiss work rights for 12-month contract.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute technical fire protection concepts across CAPEX projects at Visp site.
• Provide technical oversight, coordination of contractors, and QA for sprinkler, deluge, dry extinguishing, firewater and retention systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including planners, architects, site fire brigade, CSA, HVAC and EMR specialists.
• Participate in 3D coordination reviews to resolve clashes and design changes early.
• Drive commissioning, testing, and handover documentation with stakeholders.
• Oversee as-built documentation for seamless operational handover to end-users.
• Support broader SGIE CAPEX activities as needed.

Skills

Project management

Fire protection

Coordination

Stakeholder management

3D coordination

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in engineering

Job description

Fire Protection Systems Project Manager

Lead key fire protection initiatives across major CAPEX projects at our Visp site to ensure our high-tech facilities meet top-tier safety and regulatory standards on a 12-month contract.

This is a fully site-based role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What you will get:

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.
• An inclusive and ethical workplace.
• Competitive hourly rate / compensation package.

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What you will do:

• Support the definition and execution of technical fire protection concepts (wet and dry systems) across multiple high-value CAPEX projects at our Visp site.
• Lead technical oversight, contractor coordination, and quality assurance for sprinkler, deluge, dry extinguishing, firewater, and retention systems.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including general planners, architects, Lonza site fire brigade (Werksfeuerwehr), CSA, HVAC, and EMR specialists.
• Participate actively in 3D coordination reviews to identify and resolve spatial clashes and design adjustments early.
• Drive system commissioning, functional testing, and integral test execution alongside key internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee and verify complete as-built technical documentation to ensure seamless operational handover to end-users.
• Adapt flexibly to support broader engineering activities within the SGIE CAPEX project organization as needed.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on engineering, project execution, or operational experience in technical fire protection systems (wet/dry systems, deluge, retention).
• Proven familiarity with Swiss fire protection standards, codes, and guidelines (e.g., VKF, SES regulations).
• Business Fluent (required); professional working proficiency in English is preferred.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or chemical production environments (GMP / cleanroom experience is an advantage).
• VKF Certification (Fachperson für Wasserlöschanlagen VKF) is considered a strong plus.
• EU citizenship or valid Swiss work rights covering the full 12-month contract duration.

About Lonza

At Lonza, their people are their greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, their globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Their core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who they are and how they work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work they want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, they value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

• Lonza Group AG
  Münchensteinerstrasse 38
  4052 Basel