6242 - Upstream Principal Engineer / Lead Validation Engineer

Verista; Holly Springs (NC); On-site; USD 101,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Job summary

Verista is hiring an Upstream Principal Engineer in Holly Springs, NC, to lead commissioning and qualification of Upstream systems including chromatography and filtration platforms. You will develop URS, QRAES, and IOQ protocols, and coordinate with design engineers and SMEs to ensure compliant, well-documented system validation.

The role requires 10+ years in CQV or related environments, strong documentation, and hands-on experience with bioprocess equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of role-specific experience.
• Experience supporting CQV activities in GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology environments.
• Hands-on experience with downstream bioprocess equipment and purification systems.
• Strong understanding of IQ/OQ/PQ validation lifecycle documentation.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience with digital validation systems such as Kneat.
• Experience supporting FAT/SAT, commissioning, and equipment startup.
• Familiarity with risk-based validation approaches.
• Experience in biologics manufacturing or monoclonal antibody production environments.
• Onsite job requirement in Holly Springs, NC.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the commissioning and qualification lead for Upstream systems.
• Review engineering documentation, P&IDs, and design specifications.
• Develop URS and Quality Risk Assessment for Equipment and Automated Systems.
• Coordinate with design engineers and SMEs to clarify system intent.
• Create Commissioning Test Plans and IOQ protocols.
• Collaborate with Automation Team to incorporate testing.
• Prepare summary reports documenting commissioning activities.
• Take custody of systems post-construction through C&Q completion.
• Participate in FATs and SATs.

Skills

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong documentation

Communication skills

Risk-based validation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or related technical discipline

Tools

Kneat

Job description

Verista's 500 experts team up with the world’s most recognizable brands in the life science industry to solve their business needs. The nature of our business is to empower growth and innovation within the scientific community and to help researchers, organizations, and companies solve some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Verista provides innovative solutions and services that empower informed decision-making and are the result of our significant investment in our people and our capabilities.

Our ability to grow is driven by world-class people who thrive in a team environment and share our mission to enable life sciences clients to improve lives. Our talented and dedicated professionals are committed to making an impact every day.

Company Culture Guidelines & Values

• We empower and support our colleagues
• We commit to client success at every turn
• We have the courage to do the right thing
• We encourage an inclusive environment where our colleagues feel respected, engaged, and challenged.
• We constantly acquire new skills and learn from our experiences to enhance our collective expertise

We are seeking an Upstream Principal Engineer is responsible for overseeing the commissioning and qualification of Upstream systems. This role ensures that all systems are designed, tested, and documented in alignment with project requirements and safety standards.

Upstream Principal Engineer Responsibilities

• Serve as the commissioning and qualification lead for Upstream systems (responsibilities described below).
• Specific experience with chromatography systems, TFF filtration systems, viral filtration systems, and UFDF filtration systems.

C&Q Lead Responsibilities

• Gain a thorough understanding of system design by reviewing engineering documentation, P&IDs, and design specifications.
• Develop User Requirement Specifications (URS) and Quality Risk Assessment for Equipment and Automated Systems (QRAES).
• Engage with design engineers and SMEs to clarify system intent and operational requirements.
• Ensure alignment with quality, automation, and engineering teams on critical parameters and documentation.
• Create Commissioning Test Plans that translate design intent into testable steps.
• Coordinate with the Automation Team to incorporate all automation functional testing.
• Collaborate with SMEs to ensure system requirements are accurately reflected in test plans.
• Develop Installation, Operational, and Qualification (IOQ) protocols.
• Prepare and submit summary reports documenting commissioning and qualification activities.

System Ownership and Execution

• Take custody of the system post-construction and maintain ownership through C&Q completion.
• Perform Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) for system safety.
• Conduct pre-startup safety checks and risk assessments.
• Prepare daily pre-task plans and verify team readiness for safe execution.
• Attend daily commissioning meetings to coordinate activities.
• Execute commissioning and IOQ protocols.
• Resolve issues arising during execution.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or related technical discipline
• 10+ years of role specific experience
• Experience supporting CQV activities in GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology environments
• Hands-on experience with downstream bioprocess equipment and purification systems
• Strong understanding of validation lifecycle documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ, protocols, reports)
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Strong documentation, organizational, and communication skills
• Experience with digital validation systems such as Kneat
• Experience supporting FAT/SAT, commissioning, and equipment startup
• Familiarity with risk-based validation approaches
• Experience in biologics manufacturing or monoclonal antibody production environments
• Onsite job requirement in Holly Springs, NC

For US geography, the salary range for this position is shown below. The actual salary is dependent upon a variety of job-related factors such as professional background, training, work experience, location, business needs, market demand, and competitive market practice. Therefore, in some circumstances, the actual salary could fall outside of this expected range. This salary range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Verista is an equal opportunity employer.

National (US) Range: $107,800 USD - $168,011 USD

Benefits

• High growth potential and fast-paced organization with a people-focused culture
• Competitive pay plus performance-based incentive programs
• Company-paid Life, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurances
• FSA, DCARE, Commuter Benefits
• Supplemental Life, Hospital, Critical Illness and Legal Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Employer Matching benefit)
• Paid Time Off (Rollover Option) and Holidays
• As Needed Sick Time
• Tuition ReimbursementTeam Social Activities (We have fun!)
• Employee Recognition
• Employee Referral Program
• Paid Parental Leave and Bereavement

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For more information about our company, please visit us at Verista.com