Engineer II - Frontline Engineering (Downstream Operations)

Lonza Group Ltd.; Vacaville (CA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Employee assistance programs

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Lonza Group Ltd. in Vacaville, CA is seeking a Frontline Engineer to be a system and equipment SME in a GMP-regulated biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

You will support 24/7 operations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure readiness of facilities and equipment for production. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field, hands-on downstream biopharma equipment experience, and strong project leadership to collaborate across Manufacturing, Quality,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in GMP-regulated pharma/biotech manufacturing.
• Hands-on downstream biopharma equipment experience (chromatography, viral filtration, UF/DF).
• Proven project leadership delivering improvements and changes.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficiency with SAP, MS Office, P&IDs and data visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Support 24/7 manufacturing operations as SME for systems and equipment.
• Investigate complex events using structured problem solving and RCA.
• Lead small to mid-sized improvement projects for reliability.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, QA, Engineering, MSAT, and EHS to meet schedules.
• Provide SME support for startup, commissioning and qualification of new equipment.
• Analyze data to identify trends and drive implementation activities.
• Support CAPEX projects and New Product Transfers from design to qualification.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

SAP

MS Office

P&IDs

Data visualization tools

Job description

Location: Vacaville, California Play a critical role at the heart of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, directly supporting life-saving drug production. As a Frontline Engineer, you will act as a system and equipment subject matter expert, solving complex technical challenges, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring manufacturing readiness in a GMP-regulated environment. This is a fully site-based role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What you will get

• The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $93,000 to $155,000.
• 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

What you will do

• Directly support 24/7 manufacturing operations as a system and equipment SME, ensuring systems are fit for purpose and ready for use.
• Investigate and assess complex unplanned events, applying structured problem solving and root cause analysis to deliver sustainable solutions.
• Lead and manage small to medium-sized improvement projects, driving operational excellence and reliability.
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Maintenance, MSAT, Automation, and EHS to deliver on production schedules.
• Provide SME support for startup, commissioning, and qualification of new equipment and systems, including on-call support as required.
• Analyze equipment and process data to identify trends, recommend improvements, and lead implementation activities.
• Support CAPEX projects and New Product Transfers, contributing technical expertise from conceptual design through qualification.

What we are looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong experience supporting pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing equipment and systems in a GMP-regulated environment.
• Hands-on experience in downstream biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations within a commercial GMP facility, supporting equipment and processes such as chromatography, viral filtration, ultrafiltration/diafiltration, or bulk drug substance operations.
• Demonstrated project leadership skills with experience delivering improvements and system changes.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficiency with tools such as SAP, MS Office, P&IDs, and data visualization tools 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.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences?