Equipment Engineer

Panda International; Leiden; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Panda International is seeking an Equipment Engineer for its Centre of Expertise, Primary Recovery (PR) to support and improve biopharmaceutical equipment in a PR environment. You will lead asset teams, maintain data, investigate failures and drive improvements in safety, quality and reliability.

Responsibilities include Gemba walks, guiding root cause analyses with Troubleshooting and Operations, and developing training programmes while collaborating with Manufacturing Operations, Engineering,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Bioprocessing, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology or a related field.
• At least 3 years of biopharmaceutical processing experience with a Bachelor's degree, or at least 1.5 years with a Master's degree.
• Experience working within a biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of GMP requirements and regulated manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of upstream processing operations.
• Experience with manufacturing equipment and equipment-related processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and troubleshooting.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of equipment-related issues and improvements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional English proficiency (minimum B2 level).
• Proactive, organised and accountable approach, with the ability to work under pressure and maintain high standards of accuracy and quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead an Asset Team and maintain up-to-date asset data.
• Identify equipment replacement needs and support introduction of new equipment and systems.
• Investigate equipment failures and conduct root cause analyses with Troubleshooting and Operations teams.
• Conduct Gemba walks to assess equipment use and identify improvement opportunities.
• Drive improvements in safety, quality, reliability, cost and scheduling.
• Act as SME in contamination prevention and support training programmes.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support operational excellence.

Skills

GMP compliance

Root cause analysis

Troubleshooting

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

English proficiency

Independent work

Education

Bioprocessing / Chemical Engineering / Microbiology degree

Job description

Equipment Engineer – Centre of Expertise, Primary Recovery (PR)

Responsible for supporting and improving equipment used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing within a Primary Recovery (PR) environment. The role focuses on ensuring equipment reliability, GMP compliance, contamination prevention and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. Responsibilities include leading an Asset Team, maintaining up-to-date asset data, identifying equipment replacement needs, supporting the introduction of new equipment and systems, investigating equipment failures and conducting root cause analyses in collaboration with Troubleshooting and Operations teams. The Equipment Engineer will also conduct Gemba walks to assess equipment use by manufacturing operators, identify improvement opportunities, drive improvements in safety, quality, reliability, cost and scheduling, and act as a subject matter expert in contamination prevention. Additionally, the role involves developing training programmes and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support operational excellence.

Non-Negotiable Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Bioprocessing, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology or a related field
• At least 3 years of experience in biopharmaceutical processing with a Bachelor's degree, or at least 1.5 years with a Master's degree
• Experience working within a biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of GMP requirements and regulated manufacturing processes
• Understanding of upstream processing operations
• Experience with manufacturing equipment and equipment-related processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and troubleshooting
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of equipment-related issues and improvements
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Professional English proficiency (minimum B2 level)
• Proactive, organised and accountable approach, with the ability to work under pressure and maintain high standards of accuracy and quality

Desirable Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

• Experience within Primary Recovery (PR) or upstream bioprocessing operations
• Experience with contamination prevention in biopharmaceutical manufacturing
• Experience with equipment reliability, troubleshooting and performance improvements
• Experience leading or participating in asset management teams
• Experience supporting the introduction of new manufacturing equipment and systems
• Experience conducting Gemba walks or working directly with manufacturing operators
• Experience with equipment lifecycle management and long-term asset planning
• Experience developing and implementing continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience developing training programmes and supporting knowledge sharing within manufacturing teams
• Experience collaborating with Manufacturing Operations, Engineering, Troubleshooting and Quality teams

Practicalities

• Start Date: ASAP
• Contract Duration: 12 months
• Location: Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days onsite and 2 days remote