Engineer - Drug Substance Technology & Engineering

Amgen Inc.; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen Inc. in Thousand Oaks, CA is seeking an experienced Process Development Engineer to join our biologics manufacturing team.

You will help transfer purification processes from the lab to production facilities and support scale-up for late-stage programs. The role requires a strong background in chemical/biochemical engineering or protein biochemistry, with knowledge of cGMP manufacturing and purification equipment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or related subject area.
• 3+ years of Process Engineering related to biochemical engineering and/or protein biochemistry, scale-up principles and manufacturing of biologics (cGMP)
• Experience working with purification processes and scale-up from bench to commercial scale
• Knowledge of purification equipment; chromatography, ultrafiltration, virus inactivation and virus filtration operations

Responsibilities

• Transfer purification drug substance processes from lab to manufacturing facilities.
• Provide solutions to technical problems of moderate scope and complexity.
• Evaluate, select, and apply standard engineering techniques under general supervision; seek assistance for unusual problems.
• Support process validation for late-stage commercial processes.
• Provide on-the-floor technical support for process scale-up and technology transfer.

Skills

Downstream processing

Purification knowledge

cGMP manufacturing

Protein biochemistry

Scale-up

Aseptic processing

Education

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree + 2 years PD

Associate’s degree + 6 years PD

High school diploma/GED + 8 years PD

Job description

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.

Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease–we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity‑related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.

Our award‑winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

What you will do

Let’s do this! Let’s change the world! Do you want to help shape the future of biopharmaceutical manufacturing? Are you interested in working with a diverse product portfolio of life changing products in a dynamic working environment? Would you like to work with a highly motivated team of process science professionals to positively impact patients’ lives? Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science’s promise by bringing safe, effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient.

Advancing science and helping patients – these dual passions are ingrained in our culture. They drive our work, our values, and everything we do at Amgen. For staff around the world, our mission to serve patients and our commitment to science makes Amgen a place where we can make a positive difference in people’s lives while pursuing a challenging and fulfilling career. To foster a setting in which all staff may excel, we support a variety of growth opportunities, from training and education to expanding current job responsibilities.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Transfer purification drug substance processes and process improvements from the laboratory to manufacturing facilities and between manufacturing sites.
• Provide solutions to technical problems of moderate scope and complexity.
• Evaluate, select, and apply standard engineering techniques and procedures under general supervision; seek assistance when addressing unusual problems.
• Support process validation for late‑stage commercial processes.
• Provide on‑the‑floor technical support for process scale‑up and technology transfer, as well as clinical and commercial manufacturing operations.
• Perform routine and non‑routine process monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Support nonstandard shift schedules and extended hours as business needs require.
• Trend process data and perform statistical analyses.
• Provide technical input for process‑related deviations (NCs), CAPAs, and change controls.
• Identify and support process‑related operational excellence and continuous improvement opportunities, including efforts to improve efficiency across business process workstreams.
• Represent Process Development and collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Research, Maintenance, Utilities, Facilities, and Validation teams to develop requirements and recommendations for process or system modifications.
• Communicate and collaborate with technical and management staff across Manufacturing, Process Development, and Quality.
• Complete assignments with clear objectives that require investigating a limited number of variables.
• Serve as a technical expert for equipment and systems troubleshooting, becoming actively involved in daily operations as needed to meet schedules or resolve complex problems.
• Apply engineering principles and statistical methods, including design of experiments, to resolve processing issues and evaluate process improvement opportunities.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The engineering professional we seek will possess these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• OR
• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of Process Development experience
• OR
• Associate’s degree and 6 years of Process Development experience
• OR
• High school diploma / GED and 8 years of Process Development

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or related subject area
• 3 + years of experience in Process Engineering related to biochemical engineering and/or protein biochemistry, scale‑up principles and manufacturing of biologics (cGMP)
• Downstream process knowledge and hands on purification pilot/clinical/commercial experience with regard to the manufacture of a biological drug substance
• Experience working in/supporting a commercial cGMP manufacturing facility
• A firm understanding of purification process and related equipment; scale‑up from bench to commercial scale, chromatography, viral inactivation, viral filtration, ultrafiltraiton and diafiltration, and impact of process deviations to yield and quality attributes
• Knowledge of aseptic processing/techniques, harvest and clarification processes used in mammalian cell culture processes AND/OR a good understanding of purification process and associated equipment; chromatography, ultrafiltration, normal flow filtration, virus inactivation and virus filtration operations
• Process development (PD) experience supporting cGMP manufacturing at large scale
• Strong capability in scientific/engineering/laboratory analysis, trouble shooting and ability to apply sophisticated problem resolution abilities
• Ability to develop and follow detailed protocols
• Independently motivated with ability to multi-task and work in teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication with experience with technical writing and presentations

What you can expect of us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales‑based incentive plan
• Stock‑based long‑term incentives
• Award‑winning time‑off plans
• Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Application deadline

Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

Equal Opportunity

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Internal Transfer Policy

Please note that you should be in your current position for at least 18 months before applying to internal positions. Staff must notify their current manager if invited for an interview. In addition, Staff are ineligible to apply for open positions if (a) their performance is currently being managed on a performance improvement plan (PIP) or other locally utilized formal coaching document or (b) their most recent performance rating was not a ‘Partially Meets Expectations’ or higher. Please visit our Internal Transfer Guidelines for more detailed information.

Salary Range

88,281.00USD -119,439.00 USD