Director, Engineering and Maintenance

BioSpace; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO

Long-term career growth

Job summary

Siegfried is seeking a Director of Engineering & Maintenance to lead critical site functions in pharmaceutical manufacturing, driving CAPEX projects and elevating operational excellence across the site.

In this leadership role you will shape engineering strategy, oversee teams in Engineering, Maintenance, Facilities, Automation and Calibration, and ensure GMP compliance, aseptic operations, and reliable equipment performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent field.
• 15+ years of engineering experience in pharma.
• 7+ years leading engineering, maintenance and facilities teams.
• 5+ years GMP experience including aseptic processes.
• Proven CAPEX ownership and maintenance budgeting.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute mid- and long-term engineering strategy aligned with site goals.
• Lead major CAPEX projects from concept to execution on time and budget.
• Establish governance to track and improve performance.
• Oversee Engineering, Maintenance, Facilities, Automation and Calibration teams.
• Ensure equipment reliability, asset lifecycle optimization and KPI delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement in aseptic operations and GMP compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Pharmaceutical engineering

Fill/finish manufacturing

Maintenance & reliability

Automation

GMP compliance

Aseptic operations

Communication skills

Analytical mindset

Budget stewardship

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Microsoft Project

Excel

Job description

"Expect to grow", personally and professionally: At Siegfried, we offer exciting challenges and ample opportunities to showcase your talents. As a trusted and respected partner to the pharmaceutical industry, we uphold the highest standards in safety, quality and sustainability, while fostering a culture that empowers you to thrive. Join a rapidly expanding global company, where diverse perspectives and experiences come together in a collaborative environment. Here, you'll find a workplace that values both collective success and your individual contributions—offering long-term opportunities to grow and make an impact.

Your Role

We are seeking a Director of Engineering & Maintenance to lead critical site functions, drive strategic initiatives, and elevate operational excellence across our pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.

This is a leadership role where technical expertise meets strategic vision. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team (SLT), you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our site through engineering innovation, capital project execution, and people development.

Deeper fill & finish, sterile medicinal products and facility/maintenance-focused engineering leadership experience is a must!

Your Profile

As Director of Engineering & Maintenance, you will:

• Define and execute the mid and long term engineering strategy aligned with site and corporate goals
• Lead major CAPEX projects from concept through execution—ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to specification
• Establish and drive robust governance processes to track and improve operational performance
• Oversee Engineering, Maintenance, Facilities, Automation, and Calibration teams
• Ensure equipment reliability, asset lifecycle optimization, and KPI performance
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, M&ST, Quality Assurance, and Project Management
• Support facility expansions, equipment acquisitions, and site modifications, including qualification activities
• Drive continuous improvement in aseptic operations, clean utilities, and GMP compliance
• Lead technical evaluations, equipment selection, and implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies
• Actively contribute to Deviation, CAPA, and Change Control (DCR) processes
• Manage departmental budgets, including CAPEX and maintenance budgets exceeding $3M
• Develop and mentor a high-performing engineering organization
  
  

What You Bring

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire, develop, and lead technical teams
• Deep expertise across:
• Pharmaceutical engineering & fill/finish manufacturing of sterile medicinal products
• Maintenance & reliability systems
• Automation & process equipment
• GMP compliance and aseptic operations
• Proven ability to manage complex capital projects and cross-functional initiatives
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels
• Strong analytical mindset with sound decision-making capabilities
• Proficiency with tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Microsoft Project, Excel, and related systems
  
  

Required Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (or equivalent)
• 15+ years of engineering experience in the pharmaceutical industry
• 7+ years leading engineering, maintenance, and facilities teams
• 5+ years of GMP experience, including aseptic processes and clean utilities
  
  
  

Demonstrated ownership of CAPEX and maintenance budgets > $3M

Your Benefits

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, wealth, and work-life balance:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (including dependents)
• Life insurance, short and long term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  
  
  

Target Base Salary: $180,000 – $280,000

Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Founded in 1873 in Zofingen, Switzerland, Siegfried has grown into a global network of 13 sites across three continents. With a team of more than 3,800 highly skilled professionals, we take the innovations of our pharmaceutical customers to industrial scale and manufacture safe drugs for patients worldwide. As a fully integrated CDMO, Siegfried is one of the few organizations today that can carry out the development and manufacturing of APIs and finished dosage forms under one roof. This unique combination of know-how and experience makes us the most trusted partner in the pharmaceutical industry.