Junior Commissioning Engineer

Inova Consulting; Basel; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Inova Consulting is seeking a Junior Commissioning Engineer to support a Basel-area pharmaceutical project with 100% travel across Europe. The role focuses on isolators, clean rooms, and HVAC systems, with hands-on calibration and field testing on equipment.

The role emphasizes IQ/OQ execution, documentation, and collaboration with Engineering, QA, Operations, Automation, and suppliers to ensure compliant commissioning and qualification per GMP requirements.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of CQV/commissioning experience in pharma/life sciences is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with isolators and clean rooms, including air handling systems and smoke studies.
• Experience executing IQ and OQ, including alarm verification and functional testing.
• Strong GMP documentation practices and ability to write clear, compliant documents.
• Excellent English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on calibration of isolators and instrumentation (pressure, temperature, humidity, airflow).
• Carry out field execution work on equipment: installation checks, functional testing, leak testing, glove integrity testing.
• Work full-time on site at client sites with suppliers and operations teams.
• Support planning and execution of CQV activities for isolators, clean rooms, and HVAC systems.
• Execute IQ/OQ protocols including installation verification, functional testing, and alarm/interlock verification.
• Participate in airflow visualization and clean room classification activities.
• Review GMP docs, test scripts, protocols, deviation reports, and final qualification reports.
• Document test results and ensure traceability to requirements and risk assessments.
• Manage punch lists and deviations with guidance from senior CQV engineers.

Skills

Calibration

IQ/OQ execution

Isolators

Clean rooms

On-site work

GMP documentation

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Education

Degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Process Engineering or related technical discipline

Job description

Inova is a Swiss consulting and engineering firm specializing in supporting life sciences industries through high-value expertise in engineering, commissioning & qualification, quality, compliance, and digital transformation. We support our clients throughout the lifecycle of pharmaceutical facilities and critical systems, from design and project execution through commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness.

Position Overview

We are seeking a motivated Junior Commissioning Engineer to support a pharmaceutical project in the Basel area but the role requires 100% travel, with a focus on isolators, clean rooms, and associated HVAC systems.

In this role, you will contribute to commissioning and qualification activities on critical GMP equipment and facilities, with a particular emphasis on IQ and OQ execution for isolators and air handling systems, including smoke studies, alarm verification, and functional testing.

This is a highly operational, hands‑on role. You will spend the majority of your time on site, directly on the equipment: performing calibration of isolators and associated instrumentation, executing tests in the field, and troubleshooting with suppliers and technicians. This is not a desk‑based documentation position.

The role requires 100% travel.

You will be permanently assigned to client sites across Europe, with no fixed office base.

You will work closely with Engineering, QA, Operations, Automation, and equipment suppliers to ensure that systems are properly commissioned, qualified, and documented in compliance with GMP requirements and project specifications.

The position is ideal for an engineer with first CQV experience who wants to develop strong hands‑on expertise in a demanding project environment, as part of a collaborative team.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform hands‑on calibration of isolators and associated instrumentation (pressure, temperature, humidity, airflow sensors), including verification of calibration status and documentation
• Carry out field execution work directly on equipment: installation checks, functional testing, leak testing, and glove integrity testing
• Work full time on site alongside suppliers, technicians, and operations teams during commissioning and qualification phases
• Support the planning and execution of commissioning and qualification activities for isolators, clean rooms, and air handling systems
• Execute IQ and OQ protocols, including installation verification, functional testing, and alarm and interlock verification
• Participate in airflow visualization (smoke studies), pressure cascade verification, and clean room classification activities
• Review functional specifications, P&IDs, and vendor documentation against user requirements
• Draft and review GMP documentation, including test scripts, protocols, deviation reports, and final qualification reports
• Verify installation and functionality of equipment, instrumentation, HVAC components, alarms, and control systems
• Document test results accurately and ensure traceability between user requirements, risk assessments, and qualification testing
• Manage punch‑list items, discrepancies, and deviations through resolution, with support from senior CQV engineers
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, QA, Automation, Operations, and Validation teams
• Ensure CQV activities comply with applicable GMP requirements, EU GMP Annex 1 and Annex 15, ISPE guidance, and internal quality procedures
• Support system handover and transition from project execution into routine GMP operation

Profile Requirements

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 1 to 3 years of experience in Commissioning, Qualification & Validation (CQV) within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry, including internships or first project assignments
• First hands‑on experience with isolators and clean rooms, ideally including air handling systems and smoke studies
• Practical experience executing IQ and OQ, including alarm verification and functional testing
• Hands‑on, field‑oriented mindset with a genuine interest in working directly on equipment, including calibration activities
• Good understanding of GMP documentation practices and ability to write clear, structured, and compliant documents
• Basic knowledge of GMP, EU GMP Annex 1 and Annex 15, and risk‑based qualification principles
• Ability to read functional specifications, P&IDs, and engineering drawings
• Structured, curious, and quality‑focused working style
• Great soft skills: strong communication, genuine team player, and comfortable interacting with multidisciplinary teams, vendors, and clients
• Excellent English, written and spoken
• 100% travel required: full mobility within Europe and willingness to be based on client sites for the full duration of project assignments

Why Join Inova?

• Work on major pharmaceutical engineering and CQV projects in the Basel life sciences ecosystem
• Build hands‑on expertise on isolators, clean rooms, and HVAC qualification alongside experienced CQV engineers
• A genuinely field‑based role where you build technical credibility through hands‑on execution, not just documentation
• Benefit from mentoring and a clear development path within our CQV practice
• Collaborate with experienced Engineering, CQV, QA, and Automation specialists
• Join a dynamic Swiss company that values technical excellence, autonomy, precision, and collaboration

Inova is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.