Engineering Manager

Germer International - Pharmaceutical Recruiting; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Global end to end full service pharmaceutical company in Knoxville, TN seeks an Engineering Manager to lead engineering, maintenance, validation, and technical services supporting pharmaceutical packaging operations.

You will drive equipment reliability, facility performance, and continuous improvement, supervise teams, and partner with operations, quality, and cross-functional groups to meet safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required.
• Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience in regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong leadership in engineering, maintenance, or technical services.
• Knowledge of cGMP/cGDP principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering, maintenance, validation, and technical services teams.
• Establish and manage maintenance programs to maximize reliability.
• Drive RCA, CAPA, and change controls to reduce downtime.
• Collaborate with operations, quality, and stakeholders to meet site goals.
• Lead projects from concept to implementation within budget and schedule.
• Ensure approval and readiness for inspections and regulatory activities.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Maintenance programs

Root cause analysis

CAPA & Change Control

Risk assessments

Validation principles

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Company: Global end to end full service pharmaceutical company serving branded and generic companies with their development, manufacturing and packaging needs.

High Growth Site!

The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading engineering, maintenance, and facilities, functions to support compliant pharmaceutical packaging operations. This role oversees the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of production equipment, facility systems, and engineering programs while ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. As a member of the site leadership team, the Engineering Manager drives strategic initiatives, manages engineering projects, develops technical talent, and partners cross-functionally to optimize operational performance, minimize downtime, and support business growth. The position also provides oversight of validation strategy, technical documentation programs, facility maintenance, and capital projects while ensuring inspection readiness and regulatory compliance across all engineering-related activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and mentor engineering, maintenance, validation, and technical services teams.
• Establish and manage comprehensive maintenance programs that maximize equipment reliability and facility performance.
• Drive proactive troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with operations, quality, and technical stakeholders to support business objectives and site performance goals.
• Lead engineering projects from concept through implementation, ensuring delivery on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with quality standards.
• Support specification, installation, startup, qualification, and lifecycle management of manufacturing and packaging systems.
• Utilize data, performance metrics, and industry best practices to identify and implement process improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing risk assessments, CAPAs, change controls, and root cause investigations.
• Develop and implement strategies that minimize production interruptions and optimize equipment changeovers.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing efficiency and long-term equipment performance.
• Align workforce capabilities through effective training and development programs.
• Analyze operational trends and performance data to support strategic decision-making and operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP requirements, safety regulations, environmental standards, and internal quality systems.
• Provide oversight for validation lifecycle management, including qualification strategies, risk-based validation approaches, and audit readiness.
• Establish and maintain technical documentation programs that support regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Lead regulatory inspections, customer audits, and validation-related activities while serving as a technical subject matter expert.

Qualifications and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required; Master's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated mastery of Pharmaceutical cGMP/cGDP principles is required.
• Significant experience leading engineering, maintenance, technical services, or operations teams within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• 6+years of relevant experience and at least 2+ years of experience in management roles required.
• Experience in a pharmaceutical cGMP manufacturing, packaging, OSD, or sterile setting required.
• Experience with automated manufacturing, assembly, packaging, or forming equipment required; pharmaceutical packaging experience is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, facilities, and manufacturing systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering projects, equipment installations, startup activities, and qualification efforts.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to develop teams, drive engagement, and support employee growth and development.
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement methodologies, including Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Change Control, CAPA, Risk Assessments, and validation principles.