Packaging Material And Equipment Technologist

GSK; Washington; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK Worthing Site is seeking a Packaging Material and Equipment Technologist on a 24-month secondment/FTC to deliver packaging activities across primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and to support qualification and validation.

Reporting to the Packaging Technology Project Lead, you will assess interactions of materials with packaging lines and collaborate with MSAT, Engineering, Operations, Quality and external suppliers.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or strong equivalent in packaging, materials science, or engineering.
• Experience in a pharmaceutical/regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of GMP, data integrity and change control.

Responsibilities

• Plan and complete packaging material and equipment activities from development to routine manufacture.
• Evaluate material–equipment interactions affecting forming, sealing, coding and inspection.
• Develop trial, qualification and validation protocols for packaging materials and interfaces.
• Lead or contribute to risk assessments, FMEA and deviation investigations.
• Maintain specifications, drawings and artwork with change control.
• Coordinate suppliers and cross-functional interfaces to resolve technical questions.

Skills

Packaging materials

Material science

Engineering

Quality by Design

FMEA

Risk assessment

Technical writing

Project leadership

Education

Degree-level qualification in packaging/materials science/engineering

Job description

Packaging Material And Equipment Technologist - 24 Months Secondment / FTC

Closing Date: 21st October 2026 (COB)

Business Introduction

We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients' needs and drive our performance.

Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it is vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply.

We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients. The Packaging Material and Equipment Technologist will provide hands-on technical delivery for packaging activities within the Worthing Site Packaging Project. Reporting to the Packaging Technology Project Lead, the role will assess and implement primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials; define and execute trials; support material and equipment qualification and validation; complete technical risk assessments; and create or update specifications, drawings and artwork inputs through formal change control. A central requirement is to understand how material properties, pack design and print or coding requirements interact with forming, sealing, handling, inspection and cartoning equipment so that solutions are robust, compliant and capable at production scale. The role will work through a cross-functional matrix with MSAT, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Artwork Packaging Services, Supply Chain and external material and equipment suppliers.

Manufacturing at the Worthing site is for antibiotics (Penicillin). It is advised that you take this into consideration when deciding to apply for this position.

GSK Worthing Site is a mixed manufacturing site with complex regulatory pressures. Manufacturing processes are highly technical and include high hazard activities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver packaging material and equipment activities: Plan and complete assigned material, component and equipment-interface activities for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, from development and approval through line introduction and routine manufacture, maintaining clear evidence and escalating risks or dependencies.
• Assess material-equipment interactions: Evaluate how material properties, tolerances, pack design and print or coding requirements affect forming, sealing, feeding, handling, coding, vision inspection and cartoning; define appropriate machine settings, operating ranges and controls.
• Plan trials and deliver validation: Develop and execute trial, qualification and validation protocols for packaging materials, pack formats and equipment interfaces, including objectives, sampling plans and acceptance criteria; analyse results, resolve deviations and document evidence-based conclusions.
• Manage technical risk and problem solving: Lead or contribute to technical risk assessments, FMEA, transit assessments where applicable; troubleshoot performance issues, support root-cause investigations and translate identified risks into proportionate controls, test plans and corrective actions.
• Maintain specifications, artwork and technical documentation: Create, review and update component specifications, drawings, artwork briefs, master data, protocols, reports and change-control records, ensuring alignment with approved pack requirements, market needs, GMP and regulatory expectations and maintaining inspection-ready traceability.
• Coordinate technical interfaces and suppliers: Work cross-functionally and with material, component and equipment suppliers to resolve technical questions, confirm capability, obtain supporting evidence and ensure proposed solutions are compatible with site equipment, processes and project commitments.

What success looks like

• Robust packaging designs and documented qualifications that support reliable supply.
• Smooth handover of packaging changes into routine operations with minimal disruption.
• Timely resolution of packaging issues and strong supplier partnerships.
• Clear, concise technical documentation that supports manufacturing and audits.

Relevant technical background

Degree-level qualification, or strong equivalent experience, in packaging, materials science, engineering or another relevant scientific or technical discipline, supported by practical experience in a pharmaceutical or similarly regulated environment.

Packaging materials and equipment-interface expertise

Knowledge of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials, component manufacture and printing techniques, with a strong understanding of how material properties and tolerances influence forming, sealing, feeding, coding, online artwork printing, inspection, handling and line performance.

Qualification, validation and technical trials

Demonstrated experience planning, executing, analysing and reporting material, process or equipment trials, qualification and validation using scientifically sound, risk-based approaches.

Risk assessment and evidence-based problem solving

Experience applying Quality by Design, FMEA, root-cause analysis and technical risk assessment, with the ability to interpret trial and production data, identify trends or failure modes and convert evidence into practical controls and recommendations.

Specifications, artwork and compliance

Experience creating or updating packaging specifications, technical drawings, artwork inputs and controlled records through formal change control, underpinned by good working knowledge of GMP, data integrity, product quality and regulatory requirements.

Project delivery, collaboration and communication

Well-organised delivery within a complex technical or capital project, with clear technical writing, effective stakeholder communication, cross-functional collaboration, supplier management through influence, resilience and a hands-on approach to resolving issues and meeting commitments.

Competencies

CMC Strategy, Data-Driven Decision Making, Data Integrity, Debate Moderation, Digital Fluency, GxP Regulations, Lean Management, Problem Solving, Process Optimization, Project Leadership, Risk Awareness, Scientific Writing, Technology Transfer

GSK Company Statement

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases - to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we're committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

Equal Opportunity Employer

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Agile Working Culture

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Adjustments

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at ##### where you can also request a call.

Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK's compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at