Associate Director, Engineering and Materials Science

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 254,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex is seeking a talented individual to join the Engineering and Materials Science (EMS) department in Boston, MA. The successful candidate will lead a diverse team of engineers and scientists to develop and scale‑up drug substance processes, from early development through to commercialization.

You will drive cross‑functional collaboration, apply process modeling, and mentor junior staff, with a focus on robust manufacture of small molecules or oligonucleotides and transfer to manufacturing

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering or closely related field with relevant pharmaceutical experience.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists and leading cross‑functional teams.
• Knowledge of unit operations in small molecule and oligonucleotide drug substance development, including particle engineering, kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a cross‑functional team to define, develop, and demonstrate multi‑step syntheses for robust manufacture from clinical development through commercialization.
• Lead drug substance process development, drive assets via lab development, modeling, drug supply prep, and tech transfer to third‑party facilities.
• Collaborate with materials development, process chemistry, analytical development, and formulation to optimize drug substance properties and performance.

Skills

Mentoring junior scientists

Process modeling

Data analysis

Statistical design of experiments

Scale-up

Education

BS Degree in Chemical Engineering

MS Degree in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Job description

Job Description General Summary:

Vertex is seeking a talented individual to join the Engineering and Materials Science (EMS) department in Boston, MA. The successful candidate will be productive, results‑oriented, and able to lead a diverse team of engineers and scientists to contribute to the successful development and scale‑up of drug substance processes. Excellent interpersonal and organization skills as well as a high level of technical aptitude and creativity are required for success in this position.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for leading and developing a cross‑functional team of engineers and scientists in defining, developing, and demonstrating viable, multi‑step syntheses for the robust manufacture of small‑molecule or oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients, spanning all phases of clinical development through to commercialization and launch.
• Lead drug substance process development efforts and apply sound scientific judgement to drive multiple assets in a fast‑paced environment via laboratory development, modeling, drug supply preparation, and technology transfer to third‑party manufacturing facilities.
• Collaborate with materials development, process chemistry, analytical development, and formulation groups to improve the overall development paradigm for definition and optimization of drug substance properties and performance across the clinical development spectrum.
• Key member of the cross‑functional modeling Community of Excellence to promote the adoption of process modeling within the department and more broadly across Pharmaceutical Sciences (PS).
• Potentially act as the EMS lead for a project.
• Maintain a strong external presence and promote innovation.
• Be vested in developing team members and technically mentoring junior‑level scientists.
• As a member of the EMS leadership team, influence the delivery of technical excellence and the department strategy.
• Potentially lead an EMS or PS strategic initiative.
• Use excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence stakeholders and interact, lead, and collaborate within an interdisciplinary team comprised of chemical engineers, organic, physical, and analytical chemists, materials and solid‑state scientists, and formulation development personnel.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience coaching/mentoring junior‑level scientists
• Knowledge of standard unit operations encountered in small molecule and/or Oligonucleotide drug substance process development inclusive of particle engineering, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport fundamentals
• Ability to identify and solve complex process development and/or scale‑up problems
• Application of modeling to complex, physicochemical systems, data analysis, and statistical design of experiments
• Experience with process development and problem solving in a matrix environment
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence both stakeholders and team members

Education and Experience:

BS Degree with 11+ MS Degree with 9+ or PhD with 6+ years experience in Chemical Engineering or a closely related field with relevant pharmaceutical experience.

At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision‑making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Pay Range:

$169,600 - $254,400

Disclosure Statement:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job‑related factors permitted by law.

Benefits:

From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week‑long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation:

On‑Site Designated Flex Eligibility Status: In this On‑Site designated role, you will work five days per week on‑site with ad hoc flexibility. Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information:

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail].

Help Us Achieve Our Mission:

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and conditions. The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion‑dependent beta thalassemia, acute pain and acromegaly, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including IgA nephropathy, neuropathic pain, APOL1‑mediated kidney disease, primary membranous nephropathy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ACTH‑dependent Cushing's syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, generalized myasthenia gravis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 16 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.

For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

We believe our culture is one of Vertex’s greatest strengths and a key enabler of our ability to deliver transformative medicines for patients who need them. Rooted in innovation, purpose and collaboration, our culture empowers people to take smart risks, challenge conventional thinking and do their best work. The diversity of our people is central to that culture. By bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, we foster an environment where new ideas thrive, better decisions are made and breakthrough innovation is possible. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, included and connected to our shared mission, because we know that our unique culture and the collective strength of our people are what set Vertex apart.