CQV Technical Lead � Cleaning Characterization

Veg Group; Juncos (PR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Validation & Engineering Group, Inc. seeks a CQV Technical Lead – Cleaning Characterization to support a biologics drug substance transfer and GMP expansion at a facility in Juncos, Puerto Rico.

The candidate will lead cleaning characterization and verification activities, develop protocols, evaluate data, and coordinate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and the client Verification team to ensure timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related technical discipline.
• Significant CQV or validation experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing.
• Knowledge of CIP systems/circuits, bioprocess equipment, cleaning cycles, and GMP documentation.
• Experience developing and executing cleaning protocols and reports.
• Strong technical writing and investigation skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a GMP manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead cleaning characterization and verification activities for upstream and downstream process systems.
• Develop, review, and support approval of technical documentation including Cleaning Characterization Protocols and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate execution activities with Manufacturing, Engineering, QC, EHS, Quality, and client Verification team.
• Lead technical triage of unexpected results, discrepancies, or execution issues.
• Support deviation investigations and CAPA activities when required.

Skills

CQV/Validation experience

Technical writing

Lead multidisciplinary teams

GMP manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Science/ Biotechnology/ Microbiology/ Chemistry

Tools

LIMS

Kneat

Smartsheet

MAXIMO

PI Historian

Job description

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

CQV Technical Lead – Cleaning Characterization

Validation & Engineering Group, Inc. (V&EG) a Pinnaql company is a leading services supplier who provides solutions for the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Chemical, Food, and Medical Devices industries in the following areas: Laboratory, Compliance, Computer, Engineering, Project Management, Validation, and other services.

We are seeking a talented, dedicated individual committed to work under the highest ethics standards for the following position:

• CQV Technical Lead – Cleaning Characterization

Job Summary:
We are seeking an experienced CQV Technical Lead – Cleaning Characterization to support a biologics drug substance technology transfer and manufacturing expansion project at a GMP facility in Juncos, Puerto Rico.

The Technical Lead will provide technical leadership for cleaning characterization and verification activities associated with upstream and downstream manufacturing equipment and systems. The role will lead protocol development, execution readiness, field activities, data evaluation, discrepancy resolution, and final reporting while coordinating closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, QC Laboratories, and the client Verification team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cleaning characterization and verification activities for upstream and downstream process systems.
• Develop, review, and support approval of technical documentation including:
  • Cleaning Characterization Protocols
  • Acceptance criteria
  • Cleanability assessments
  • Sampling plans
  • Verification assessments
  • Interim summaries
  • Final reports
• Evaluate CIP circuits, cleaning sequences, operating parameters, equipment configurations, and product-contact surfaces.
• Review equipment drawings, isometrics, manufacturing procedures, batch records, PCS design documentation, and cleaning recipes.
• Calculate and verify product-contact surface areas.
• Perform field verification of equipment and product-contact surfaces.
• Develop sampling strategies including TOC and microbial surface sampling.
• Coordinate execution activities with Manufacturing, Engineering, QC, EHS, Quality, and other project stakeholders.
• Participate in commissioning or operational verification activities associated with new or modified CIP circuits.
• Analyze cleaning-cycle process data and PI Historian trends against established acceptance criteria.
• Ensure execution data are evaluated by the end of the applicable working shift.
• Lead technical triage of unexpected results, discrepancies, or execution issues.
• Support deviation investigations and associated CAPA activities when required.
• Support Cleaning Equipment Release for Use (RFU) and manufacturing changeover activities.
• Coordinate document generation and field execution schedules with other CQV personnel.
• Participate in manufacturing Work Center Team meetings during execution periods.
• Identify schedule or technical risks and recommend mitigation or recovery actions.
• Ensure reports are completed within required project timelines.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related technical discipline.
• Significant CQV or validation experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • CIP systems and circuits
  • Bioprocess manufacturing equipment
  • Cleaning cycle parameters
  • Product-contact surface evaluations
  • TOC and microbial sampling
  • Dirty and clean hold-time concepts
  • GMP documentation
• Experience developing and executing cleaning protocols and reports.
• Strong technical writing and investigation skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a GMP manufacturing environment.
• Ability to support non-standard schedules and 24/7 manufacturing execution periods when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous cleaning verification experience at Amgen Manufacturing.
• Experience with biologics drug-substance manufacturing.
• Experience with upstream and downstream process equipment including:
  • Bioreactors
  • Media and buffer tanks
  • Centrifuges
  • Chromatography skids
  • UF/DF systems
  • Transfer lines
  • Glassware washers
• Experience with OSIsoft PI / PI ProcessBook or PI Historian.
• Experience with LIMS, Kneat, Smartsheet, MAXIMO, LMS, or similar GMP systems.
• Experience supporting deviations, investigations, and CAPA.

Schedule

Project activities are expected from approximately October 2026 through May 2027, with intensive manufacturing execution periods requiring flexible scheduling and potential 7-day/24-hour coverage.

At Validation & Engineering Group, people always come first. We believe that when you're empowered to do your best work, bold ideas thrive and real progress happens. This isn't just a job - it's an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by shaping the future of healthcare and technology alongside a purpose-driven, supportive team.

Validation & Engineering Group is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.