Associate Director, Engineering and Materials Science

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity awards

Paid time off (Company shutdowns)

Student loan repayment

Commuting subsidy

401(k) matching

Job summary

Vertex is seeking a talented leader to join the Engineering and Materials Science (EMS) team in Boston, MA, guiding a diverse group of engineers and scientists in the development and scale-up of drug substance processes across clinical development to launch. You will mentor junior staff, promote process modeling, and collaborate across chemistry, analytical, and formulation teams.

The role emphasizes leadership, technical excellence, and external collaboration, with on-site design designation

Qualifications

• Experience mentoring junior scientists in pharma settings.
• Knowledge of particle engineering, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport in drug substance development.
• Ability to identify and solve complex process development and scale-up problems.
• Application of modeling to complex systems, data analysis, and DOE techniques.
• Experience in process development within a matrix environment.
• Strong communication and ability to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional team of engineers and scientists in defining and demonstrating viable multi-step syntheses for robust manufacture of drug substances.
• Drive development through lab development, modeling, technology transfer, and external manufacturing collaboration.
• Collaborate with materials development, analytical, and formulation groups to optimize drug substance properties and performance.
• Promote adoption of process modeling within EMS and broader PS.
• Act as EMS lead on projects when assigned.
• Mentor and develop junior staff and promote innovation.
• Influence delivery of technical excellence and department strategy within EMS leadership.

Skills

Mentoring junior scientists

Unit operations knowledge

Problem solving in scale-up

Modeling and data analysis

Matrix environment collaboration

Communication and influence

Education

Chemical Engineering PhD/MS/BS with pharma experience

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.

Job Description

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.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. 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]