Lead Calibration Engineer

Catalent Pharma Solutions; Swindon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Site performance bonus

Pension scheme up to 8%

Life assurance

Generous holiday entitlement

LinkedIn Learning access

Cycle to Work Scheme

On-site parking

Job summary

Catalent Swindon is seeking a Lead Calibration Engineer to combine hands-on calibration work with team leadership in a GMP environment. You will mentor a small team of engineers and technicians, ensuring calibration activities are completed safely, accurately and on schedule.

The role requires excellent problem solving, strong instrumentation knowledge, and the ability to coordinate priorities across Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality functions.

Qualifications

• Experience in hands-on calibration, preferably in pharmaceutical manufacturing or regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of calibration principles and instrumentation.
• Experience leading or coordinating a small technical team is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on calibration, testing, fault finding and troubleshooting of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment.
• Lead and coordinate day-to-day activities of the Calibration team, prioritising workloads.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and support to calibration engineers and technicians.
• Ensure calibration activities are completed safely, accurately and on time.
• Investigate and resolve calibration failures and deviations, escalating risks as needed.
• Maintain calibration records and documentation to GMP and data integrity standards.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance and Quality teams to drive improvements.
• Monitor team performance, support training, audits, and deputise for management when required.

Skills

Hands-on calibration

GMP knowledge

Team leadership

Instrumentation

Problem solving

Job description

Position Summary

Our Swindon facility houses our Zydis® fast dissolving tablet development and manufacturing operation as well as a CMC pharmaceutical analytical lab services unit that offers ASAP stability. Position Summary We have an opportunity for a Lead Calibration Engineer to join our team. This role combines hands‑on calibration work with leadership responsibilities, ensuring all activities are completed safely and in compliance with GMP standards. You will act as a technical expert and mentor, supporting a small team of engineers and technicians. This is a key position for maintaining equipment reliability and driving team performance in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

Shift: Monday to Friday plus call out

Location: Swindon, UK 100% Onsite

The Role

• Perform hands‑on calibration, testing, fault finding and troubleshooting of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, ensuring compliance with site procedures and GMP requirements.
• Lead and coordinate the day‑to‑day activities of the Calibration team, allocating and prioritising workloads to meet business needs.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and support to calibration engineers and technicians, fostering team capability and development.
• Ensure all calibration activities are completed safely, accurately and within agreed timescales, maintaining equipment calibration status at all times.
• Investigate and resolve calibration failures, deviations and equipment‑related issues, escalating risks where appropriate.
• Maintain and review calibration records and documentation, ensuring compliance with GMP, data integrity and quality standards.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance and Quality teams to coordinate activities, minimise downtime and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor team performance, support training and audits, deputise for management when required, and remain actively involved in the execution of calibration work.

The Candidate Minimum Requirements

• Previous experience in a hands‑on calibration role, preferably within a pharmaceutical manufacture, GMP or similarly regulated environment is essential.
• Strong practical knowledge of calibration principles, instrumentation and associated equipment.
• Previous experience leading, coordinating or supervising a small technical team desirable.
• Comfortable balancing hands‑on technical work with people leadership and day‑to‑day coordination.
• Good understanding of GMP, data integrity and pharmaceutical engineering standards.

Preferred Skills & Background

• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to operational requirements.
• Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Good communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement.
• Ability to lead by example and work effectively as part of a wider engineering/operations team.

Why You Should Join Catalent

Our Swindon facility houses our Zydis® fast dissolving tablet development and manufacturing operation as well as a CMC pharmaceutical analytical lab services unit that offers ASAP stability.

• Competitive Salary – Reflecting your experience and skills.
• Bonus & Benefits – Includes a site performance bonus, a pension scheme matching up to 8% and life assurance.
• Enjoy a generous holiday entitlement that increases with tenure, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Plus, gain access to Reward Gateway, offering discounts at many national retailers.
• Career Development – Access high‑quality training, mentoring, and cross‑functional opportunities within Catalent’s global network. Benefit from a subscription to LinkedIn Learning, providing access to 10,000+ online courses.
• Health & Wellbeing – Includes an employee assistance programme, on‑site canteen facilities, and an active safety and “Patient First” culture.
• Take advantage of a Cycle to Work Scheme and an Electric Vehicle car scheme.
• Excellent Location – Just a two‑minute drive from J16 of the M4, with free on‑site parking.

Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life‑saving and life‑enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference. personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work. Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.

Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by local law. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to [e-mail]. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

Catalent, Inc. is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) whose mission is to develop, manufacture, and supply products that help people live better and healthier lives. Catalent is dedicated to delivering unparalleled service to pharma, biotech, and consumer health customers, supporting product development, launch, and full life‑cycle supply. With time-tested experience in development sciences, delivery technologies, and multi‑modality manufacturing, Catalent supports the acceleration of development programs and the launch of more than a hundred new products every year. Powered by thousands of scientists and technicians and the latest technology platforms at more than 40 global sites, Catalent supplies billions of doses of life‑enhancing and life‑saving treatments for patients annually.