Senior Technology & Engineering Lead

Chapman Tate Associates; Guildford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading life sciences manufacturer in Guildford is seeking a Senior Technology & Engineering Lead (Contract) for a 10-month engagement. This role involves deploying digital solutions and overseeing engineering processes to support a major site expansion. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in biotech or pharmaceuticals, strong project management skills, and the ability to navigate compliance in a regulated environment. The position offers an opportunity to shape technology strategy in a high-impact, collaborative setting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in chemicals, biotech, materials, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong background in technology evaluation, deployment, and project management.
• 3+ years professional IT experience in multiple business/technical domains.
• Experience supporting R&D, technical development, production, or quality functions.
• Proven success delivering projects in regulated (GxP) environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive and optimize production and development processes.
• Lead project business cases, planning, and stakeholder alignment.
• Oversee compliance activities including system validation.
• Support engineering strategy, CAD oversight, and design reviews.
• Facilitate effective change management and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Job description

Role: Senior Technology & Engineering Lead (Contract)

Location: Guildford - Onsite

Duration: 10-Month Contract (Outside IR35)

Chapman Tate Associates are working with a leading life sciences manufacturer seeking a Senior Technology & Engineering Lead to support a major site expansion and technology transformation programme in Guildford. This is a high‑impact contract role, ideal for someone who can operate confidently across IT systems, engineering, operations, and project leadership in a regulated environment.

As one of the two senior technology figures on site, you will be responsible for identifying, deploying, and governing the digital and engineering solutions that enable production and product development within the Guildford facility.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will:

• Drive Technology Strategy & Delivery
  • Analyse and optimise production and development processes within Section A
  • Identify the right IT and digital solutions to meet operational requirements
  • Lead project business cases, planning, stakeholder alignment and vendor management
  • Act as the single point of contact for technology projects, ensuring on‑time, on‑budget delivery
  • Oversee compliance activities including system validation and change control
  • Partner with global IT teams to leverage existing platforms and capabilities
• Engineering & Operational Leadership
  • Support engineering strategy, CAD oversight, and design reviews
  • Lead structured problem‑solving and drive continuous improvement
  • Communicate technical information confidently across all levels
  • Produce high‑quality technical documentation, policies and reports
  • Provide leadership, direction and coaching to technical staff
  • Facilitate effective change management and cross‑functional collaboration

What our client is looking for

Experience

• 5+ years in chemicals, biotech, materials, or pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Strong background in technology evaluation, deployment, and project management
• 3+ years professional IT experience across multiple business/technical domains
• Experience supporting R&D, technical development, production, or quality functions
• Proven success delivering projects in regulated (GxP) environments

Technical Background

• Experience in at least one of: Parenteral or solid dosage manufacturing; Biotechnology or chemical production/development; Analytical development or QC laboratories

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication
• Ability to bridge functional business needs with IT/engineering solutions
• Skilled in system validation and change control processes
• Strong leadership capability in matrix organisations
• Able to influence, motivate and guide teams through change
• Strong documentation, analytical and problem‑solving skills

Why join this contract?

• Work on a major site transformation within a high‑growth biotech environment
• Act as a senior decision‑maker influencing site technology strategy
• Opportunity to shape new systems, processes, and engineering capabilities
• Join a collaborative, cross‑functional environment where your impact is visible

If you’re a senior technology leader with experience in biotech or pharmaceuticals and a passion for driving digital and operational excellence, please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.