Associate Director Process Engineering – APICOM

AstraZeneca; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Dublin is seeking an Associate Director Process Engineering to lead API Commercialisation within APICOM. The role focuses on applying deep chemical engineering expertise to scale up and transfer processes for late-stage clinical and commercial API, ensuring safe, compliant operations from design through validation.

As a senior SME, you will mentor colleagues, perform risk assessments, audits, and collaborate across chemistry, manufacturing, and quality teams while integrating GMP

Qualifications

• Degree and/or PhD in Chemical Engineering.
• Chartered Chemical Engineer credential.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/fine chemical manufacturing.
• Understanding of unit operations such as mixing, distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, isolation and drying.

Responsibilities

• Carry out process engineering for new API projects in a state-of-the-art facility including scale-up assessments and safety reviews.
• Utilise engineering calculations to optimise equipment performance and ensure compliance with standards.
• Act as SME during internal and external audits and provide guidance on process-related matters.
• Lead or participate in risk assessments (HAZOPs/HAZIDs) and ensure GMP and SHE integration in project plans.
• Oversee large-scale capital projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new technologies.
• Mentor and supervise junior colleagues and university students.

Skills

Process safety

GMP knowledge

Communication

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering

Chartered Chemical Engineer

Tools

Aspen Plus

DynoChem

gPROMS

CFD

Job description

Associate Director Process Engineering - APICOM (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Commercialisation)

Location Dublin

Competitive salary and benefits

Join the team where everyone feels a personal connection to the people that we impact. From our science labs to manufacturing at scale, we are committed to delivering at the highest quality. It's inspiring and rewarding work, influencing every part of the product lifecycle to deliver life-changing medicines. To ultimately make people's lives better - from patients and their families to all of us in society!

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company where we focus on the discovery, development and delivery of life-saving medicines to our patients in addition to our belief in sustainability and determination to minimise the impact of our work on the environment. We are proud to be a great place to work and have a culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. We empower our colleagues to express diverse perspectives and at the same time feel valued, respected and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

The Associate Director will join a team utilising technical excellence to ensure the safe and timely introduction and manufacture of late stage clinical and commercial API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) from an API Commercialisation Facility (APICOM) being constructed in Dublin. This state-of-the-art facility includes the latest manufacturing and digital technologies to support autonomous batch and continuous manufacturing. As part of a team of Manufacturing Technical Specialists and Process/Chemical Engineers, you will provide a deep understanding of batch and continuous API manufacturing and manufacturing innovation to ensure successful planning and accommodation of new processes, the transfer of process knowledge from development and deliver new technology projects within APICOM.

Initially the successful applicant will support the definition of the ways of working for APICOM as it transitions through detailed design, construction, commissioning, qualification and validation and into beneficial operation. They will support the development of clear understanding of the functionality of processing equipment and become digitally skilled to support the utilisation of leading edge data analysis, modelling and simulation and digital tools (e.g. electronic batch records). The responsibilities and requirements of the position once in beneficial operation are outlined below.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out process engineering aspects of new active pharmaceutical ingredient project accommodation in a highly autonomous state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, including scale up assessments, assessing chemical reaction hazards, pressure relief calculations, and reviewing the basis of safety.
• Utilise engineering calculations to optimise equipment performance, troubleshoot issues, and enhance overall operational efficiency. Review and approve engineering calculations conducted by other team members, ensuring accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Take ownership of critical business processes, ensuring alignment with industry standards and regulatory requirements. Represent the department as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) during internal and external audits, providing insights and guidance on process-related matters.
• Lead and/or take part in risk assessments as the process SME e.g. HAZOPs, HAZIDs, Process Risk Assessments.
• Provide expert guidance and oversight on large-scale capital projects to ensure adherence to AstraZeneca’s standards and industry regulations. Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate Safety, Health, Environment (SHE) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards into project plans and execution.
• Apply technical knowledge to improvement projects and the evaluation of new technology/processes. Collaborate with specialist scientific and/or technology networks to bring new technologies into the facility.
• Mentor and supervise junior colleagues and university students.

Essential requirements:

• A degree and / or PhD in Chemical Engineering
• Chartered Chemical Engineer.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/fine chemical/food manufacturing.
• A well-developed understanding of unit operations such as mixing, distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, isolation and drying and their dependency on scale and equipment.
• Good collaborative skills to enable effective working with different skillsets.
• Good understanding of the requirements, principles and application of process safety and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Strong communication and influencing skills.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience of chemical process development scale up and / or technical transfer.
• Good understanding of the requirements, principles and application of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Experience of working across skillsets (e.g. with chemists, analysts and physical properties experts).
• Ability to use modelling software (e.g. Aspen, DynoChem, gPROMS, Computational Fluid Dynamics) to support process understanding.
• Experience in continuous processing and advanced process control.
• Experience in leading technical projects or acting as a lead process engineer on a project.

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There's no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development!

So What's Next

Find out more on Social Media:

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en
• About Operations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gak5Ham8oUw

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Date Posted 17-Aug-2026

Closing Date 26-Aug-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.