Associate Director Principal Engineer

AstraZeneca GmbH; Mount Vernon (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca GmbH is seeking an experienced Process Engineer to provide technical support for formulation areas, lead technology transfers, and optimize manufacturing for oral solid dosage products. The role collaborates across Production, Engineering, Automation, and Quality to improve yield and reliability.

You will drive validation studies, master batch records, and continuous improvements while mentoring junior engineers and supporting regulatory inspections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in pharmaceutical production, process engineering, project engineering, or project management.
• Strong understanding of cGMPs; demonstrated leadership, management, and technical capabilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple major projects with minimum supervision.
• Proven ability to influence others.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical support for formulation areas, investigating and correcting process deviations.
• Identifies projects to reduce cost, improve quality, yield, and material usage.
• Collaborates with production, engineering, automation, and quality to optimize productivity and supply reliability.
• Assists in design and execution of process qualifications and validations for changes.
• Leads technology transfer and implementation from R&D to Mount Vernon site.
• Generates and reviews master batch records; conducts process validation studies.
• Trains and mentors new process engineers and interns.
• Conducts SPC and process capability analyses for TT projects and products.

Skills

Process Engineering

cGMPs

Leadership

Project Management

Troubleshooting

Quality Systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science/Engineering

Master’s degree desirable

Tools

IQ/OQ/PQ

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provides technical support for formulation areas, including investigation and correction of process related problems and deviations from standards.
• Responsible for identifying and executing projects to reduce product cost, improve product quality, improve yield, and reduce material usage.
• Collaborates with Production, Engineering, Automation, and Quality to optimize productivity, yield, product quality, and supply reliability.
• Assists in designs and execution of process qualifications and validations for approved changes.
• Initiates process manufacturing area change proposals as required for projects managed by the Formulation or Process Engineering group.
• Authors, updates, reviews, and approves area procedures to ensure correct content and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Authors, reviews, and approves formulation master batch records.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for technical projects affecting formulation during internal audits and regulatory inspections.
• Leads technology transfer and implementation of new technologies, equipment, and processes from R&D and other sites, to the Mount Vernon site.
• Enhances quality and effectiveness of manufacturing systems related to existing products as the Product Owner. This includes the design, execution, and evaluation of experimental plans to ascertain the required process capabilities, specifications, and robustness.
• Executes site PAT strategy to monitor and control existing manufacturing processes.
• Responsible for providing pharmaceutical process support to new and existing oral solid dose form (tablet and capsule) products/processes.
• Trains and mentors new Process Engineers and interns.
• Develops Product/Process knowledge in multiple product streams and technologies.
• Leads product scale up activities related to volume increases and/or product demand.
• Responsible for Technology Transfer for new solid oral dosage form (tablet and capsule) products being transferred to the site as required.
• Designs and executes Process Validation Studies supporting the commercialization of the TT products.
• Identifies, recommends, and implements equipment modifications to ensure improved/optimized process performance.
• Contributes to Equipment URS development and retrofit. Participates in Equipment FATs, SATs, etc.
• Justifies processing parameters and conducts scale-up activities.
• Introduces new manufacturing processes, technologies (including Process Analytical Technologies), and systems including the definition of equipment and facilities needed.
• Executes the transfer and startup of new products/processes through plant trial runs and or clinical/pivotal stability lots, guaranteeing implementation of a robust and efficient process. Provides technical support for process manufacturing areas, including investigation and correction of manufacturing technical/quality issues that could potentially lead to a disruption in product supply.
• Collaborates with Production, Engineering, Automation, and Quality to optimize productivity, yield, product quality, and supply reliability.
• Conducts statistical process control and process capability analyses for TT projects and existing products.
• Investigates and conducts troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of unexpected trends or results related to product quality and financial aspects due to material and/or process related factors during the execution of TT or routine production.
• Identifies best practices in industry related to technology transfers and pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies; implements effective best practices to create a competitive advantage for the site.

Accountabilities

• Conduct activities and interactions consistent with Company values and in compliance with the Code of Ethics and supporting Policies and Standards relevant to your role. Complete all required training on the AZ Code of Ethics and supporting Policies and Standards on time. Report potential issues of non-compliance.
• Ensures compliance with AZ Corporate Policies and Directives, site Standard Operating Procedures, site policies, work instructions, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice (cGMPs, GAMP, ITIL, PMI).
• Maintains a safe work environment and performs work in accordance with site, Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) policies and procedures.
• Immediately report potential unsafe conditions to management.
• Supports internal, external, and regulatory inspections including FDA, EMEA, and third party inspections.
• Participates in the investigation and resolution of product quality problems.
• Executes work in compliance with cGMPs, site policies, work instructions, and SOPs.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Science, Chemical Engineering, or other related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in pharmaceutical production, process engineering, project engineering, or project management. Experience in the OSD pharmaceutical industry required.
• Strong understanding of cGMPs; demonstrated leadership, management, and technical capabilities.
• Thorough knowledge of product and process development, manufacturing scale-up, continuous process improvement, and troubleshooting tools and analysis.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills are essential.
• Must have demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple major projects at the same time with minimum supervision.
• Must have a proven ability to influence

Desired Requirements

• Master’s degree and/or PhD is highly desirable.
• Experience with IQ/OQ/PQ and Lean Manufacturing is highly desirable. Six Sigma certification is preferred.
• Proven experience with Statistical Process Control, Process Capability Analysis.

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.