ATL01-042525 Principal Manufacturing Engineer-Illinois

Veg Group; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the pharmaceutical sector is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join their team in Kankakee, Illinois. This pivotal role involves providing hands-on technical support during the night shift, troubleshooting complex equipment issues, and ensuring smooth manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will lead investigations, mentor junior team members, and drive process improvements in a regulated environment. If you have a strong engineering background and are passionate about optimizing manufacturing processes, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as front-line technical support for manufacturing operations.
• Lead investigations and resolution of production incidents.
• Drive and implement process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Troubleshooting complex equipment

Process improvement initiatives

GMP documentation

Mentoring junior team members

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Equivalent experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing

Tools

SAP

GLIMS

Job description

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ATL01-042525 Principal Manufacturing Engineer-Illinois

About Validation & Engineering Group (V&EG):
Validation & Engineering Group (V&EG) is a leading provider of commissioning, qualification, validation, engineering, and compliance services to the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and chemical industries. With a team of dedicated professionals across the United States, we partner with our clients to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service. We are currently seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to support our client in Kankakee, Illinois.

Job Summary:
The Principal Manufacturing Engineer will be a key member of the Manufacturing Support Team, providing hands-on technical support to Bulk or Fill/Finish Operations. This role serves the night shift as the first line of response for process and equipment-related issues, driving resolution efforts and ensuring production continuity. The successful candidate will support investigations, process improvements, and documentation while mentoring junior team members and collaborating across departments to optimize operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as front-line technical support for manufacturing operations, troubleshooting complex equipment and automation issues.
• Lead investigations and resolution of production incidents, including major automation interventions as needed.
• Author, revise, and approve GMP documentation (batch records, procedures, work instructions, training materials).
• Own and manage quality records (deviations, incidents, CAPAs, and change controls).
• Drive and implement process improvement initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Support internal audits and external inspections; provide support for project implementation.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for process development projects and cross-functional troubleshooting.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to junior support team members.
• Support training of manufacturing staff on new processes and systems (SAP, GLIMS, etc.).
• Maintain a strong understanding of engineering principles, equipment functionality, and automation systems.
• Possess high mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting experience.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Be familiar with regulated manufacturing environments (e.g., cGMP, OSHA, EPA).
• Experience working in cleanroom environments is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, 24x7 operation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field is preferred.
• Equivalent experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing will be considered.

Minimum Experience Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing required.
• Prior experience supporting vaccine, fill/finish, or bulk manufacturing operations is strongly preferred.