Associate Director, Engineering

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays, vacations and sick days

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Ladders is seeking an Associate Director, Engineering to lead technical partnerships in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space, focusing on biologics production in a highly regulated environment.

The role coordinates tech transfer activities, drives process improvements, and collaborates across internal and external sites to onboard partners, manage risk, and ensure compliant, timely delivery of drug substances and products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an applicable Science; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in drug substance and/or product manufacturing, specifically in biologics.
• Proven leadership experience in technical transfers and cross-functional teams.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing and continuous process improvement.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical liaison for external partners and related manufacturing sites.
• Manage and oversee technical transfer activities, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery.
• Provide technical guidance to external partners, ensuring adherence to standards and sound deliverables.
• Collaborate with various departments to evaluate and onboard external partners into the company network.
• Lead risk identification efforts for partnerships, developing mitigation plans as necessary.
• Support the resolution of production issues and offer manufacturing process optimization guidance.
• Facilitate effective communication across technical functions to ensure alignment.

Skills

Drug substance manufacturing

Biologics manufacturing

Technical transfers leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical/problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or applicable Science

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Associate Director, Engineering to join the team of a leader in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space.

This role will serve as a key technical leader supporting external manufacturing partnerships and biologics production within a highly regulated environment. The Associate Director will coordinate technical transfer efforts, help resolve manufacturing challenges, and partner across functions to ensure strong execution, alignment, and compliant delivery.

The position requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders and external manufacturing sites to onboard partners, manage risk, and drive process optimization across drug substance and product activities.

Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $142,400 - $224,100 annually

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical liaison for external partners and related manufacturing sites.
• Manage and oversee technical transfer activities, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery.
• Provide technical guidance to external partners, ensuring adherence to standards and sound deliverables.
• Collaborate with various departments to evaluate and onboard external partners into the company network.
• Lead risk identification efforts for partnerships, developing mitigation plans as necessary.
• Support the resolution of production issues and offer manufacturing process optimization guidance.
• Facilitate effective communication across technical functions to ensure alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an applicable Science; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in drug substance and/or product manufacturing, specifically in biologics.
• Proven leadership experience in technical transfers and cross-functional teams.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing and continuous process improvement.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare including medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families.
• Retirement benefits with 401(k) plan options.
• Paid holidays, vacations, and sick days.
• Opportunities for annual bonuses and long-term incentives.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every qualification - your background could be exactly what this team needs.