Deviation Investigation Writer - Viral Vector

Lonza Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) matching

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Job summary

Lonza Inc. on-site in Houston, TX seeks a Deviation Investigation Writer - Viral Vector to lead and execute investigations in a cGMP viral vector manufacturing environment.

You will independently manage minor and low-to-medium severity investigations while supporting higher-risk cases, identifying root causes, assessing quality impact, and implementing CAPAs. You will partner with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and MSAT to ensure quality records are accurate, compliant, and timely,

Qualifications

• Experience in deviation investigations and quality systems.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; science discipline.
• Strong RCA, CAPA, risk assessments, and investigations.
• Strong technical writing to convey events clearly.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple investigations.
• Familiarity with cGMP and SOPs/batch records.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience in biopharma/viral vector environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and independently manage deviation investigations, ensuring timely initiation, investigation, documentation, and closure of quality records.
• Author clear, concise, and technically accurate investigation reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Gather and evaluate data from manufacturing, laboratory, engineering, and quality systems to support investigations.
• Perform RCA, cause mapping, risk assessments, and trending analyses to identify root causes and improvement opportunities.
• Assess events for SISQP impact and support PQI determinations.
• Develop and implement CAPAs to reduce recurrence risk.
• Manage multiple investigations and priorities while meeting KPIs and regulatory timelines.
• Facilitate cross-functional investigation meetings and drive timely decisions.

Skills

Deviation investigations

Quality systems

Root Cause Analysis

CAPA development

Technical writing

SOPs interpretation

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

TrackWise

Education

Associate degree in science

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

TrackWise

Microsoft Office

LIMS experience

Job description

Deviation Investigation Writer - Viral Vector

Location: This is an on-site position located in Houston, TX.

Available shift: Monday through Friday, standard office hours (approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

The Deviation Investigator III – Viral Vector is responsible for leading and executing deviation investigations within a cGMP-regulated viral vector manufacturing environment. This role independently manages minor and low-to-medium severity major process deviations while supporting higher-risk investigations to identify root causes, assess product quality impact, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs). The position serves as a key quality partner to Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and MSAT teams, ensuring quality records are completed accurately, compliantly, and within established timelines while supporting operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.

What you will get:

This is a competitive salary position. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• Performance-related bonus.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) matching plan.
• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Paid time off (PTO).

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What you will do:

• Lead and independently manage deviation investigations, ensuring timely initiation, investigation, documentation, and closure of quality records.
• Author clear, concise, and technically accurate investigation reports that communicate complex manufacturing and quality events to internal and external stakeholders.
• Gather and evaluate data from manufacturing, laboratory, engineering, and quality systems to support comprehensive investigations.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA), cause mapping, risk assessments, and trending analyses to determine the most likely cause of deviations and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assess events for impact to Safety, Identity, Strength, Quality, and Purity (SISQP) and support Product Quality Impact (PQI) determinations.
• Develop and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) that effectively reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Manage multiple investigations, projects, and priorities simultaneously while meeting established KPIs and regulatory timelines.
• Facilitate cross-functional investigation meetings, align subject matter experts on investigation strategies, and drive timely decision-making and issue resolution.
• Conduct interviews with personnel and perform on-floor observations to gather facts and support investigational conclusions.
• Participate in daily management meetings and provide routine updates to site leadership on investigation status, risks, and deliverables.
• Interact directly with customers by providing investigation updates, supporting review meetings, resolving comments, and presenting findings and CAPA plans.
• Support deviation review boards and contribute to continuous improvement of quality systems, investigation processes, and compliance programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What we are looking for:

• Experience in deviation investigations, quality record management, or quality systems within a cGMP-regulated biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of Associate’s in Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or another scientific discipline. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience performing Root Cause Analysis (RCA), CAPA development, risk assessments, and technical investigations.
• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to translate complex scientific and manufacturing events into concise, compliant reports.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet aggressive deadlines and performance metrics.
• Familiarity with cGMP quality systems and the ability to read and interpret SOPs, batch records, logs, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Experience interviewing personnel and collaborating across Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Technical Operations teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to facilitate meetings and influence cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Experience with TrackWise is preferred.
• Experience in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, viral vector manufacturing, upstream/downstream processing, fill-finish operations, or CDMO environments is preferred.
• Formal training in investigations and Root Cause Analysis is preferred.

About Lonza:

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.