Head of Engineering and Facilities

20BLOC; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Job summary

20bloc, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Head of Engineering and Facilities to lead CQV and site readiness as we finalize our cGMP manufacturing space in Thousand Oaks.

You will own transfer of processes, equipment qualification, and manufacturing readiness, while supporting the MSAT function with a pragmatic, execution-focused approach. The role requires deep cGMP knowledge, strong cross-functional leadership, and the ability to move between strategic planning and hands-on troubleshooting in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in chemical/bioprocess/biochemical engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in biopharma, biotech, or regulated operations.
• Deep knowledge of cGMP, CQV, facility and utility qualification, GMP docs.
• Ability to develop plans, schedules, and practical work plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead CQV, Facilities, and Site Readiness activities.
• Develop and execute protocols for building systems and cGMP infra.
• Coordinate commissioning, qualification planning, and documentation review.
• Oversee turnover packages, traceability, and acceptance criteria.
• Guide shakedown readiness, EMPQ, equipment qualification, and transition.
• Own critical facility systems (HVAC, generators, water, electrical, etc.).
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting for lab, production, or facilities issues.
• Support technology transfer and manufacturing readiness.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and strategic technical planning.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

CQV execution

Troubleshooting

Project planning

Communication skills

Hands-on mindset

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical/bioprocess/biochemical engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

P&IDs

Qualification documentation

Job description

Who we are:

20bloc, Inc. (www.20bloc.com) is an early-stage biopharma company creating breakthrough protein-based drugs. We are developing a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier for first response, organ preservation, and oxygen therapy. We value innovations through hard work and quality intellectual exchange. We are collaborative. We are intellectual. We are hands-on.

JOB TITLE: Head of Engineering and Facilities

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Head of Engineering and Facilities to lead the validation efforts and launch the facility management program. This is a critical startup role for 20bloc as the company completes construction of its cGMP manufacturing space, qualifies critical building systems and cGMP infrastructure. The Head of Engineering and Facilities will own transfer of our processes and equipment into the cGMP facility, establish manufacturing readiness, and serve as the primary technical owner of equipment qualification. The role also provides support to the MSAT function currently being performed by outside experts. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment, communicates effectively with operators, engineers, quality professionals, and PhD scientists, and is equally comfortable developing strategic technical plans, managing schedules, troubleshooting facility or equipment issues, and rolling up their sleeves to make minor fixes when needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead CQV, Facilities, and Site Readiness
• Support/lead the CQV team in developing and executing protocols for critical building systems, cGMP infrastructure, utilities, process equipment, and R&D equipment.
• Support commissioning and qualification planning, protocol generation, execution readiness, field execution, deviation resolution, and final documentation review.
• Support/facilitate review of CQV documentation, system boundaries, turnover packages, traceability, and acceptance criteria for cGMP use and inspection readiness.
• Lead integrated planning for Shakedown readiness and execution, EMPQ, APS, equipment qualification, and transition to routine operations.
• Take ownership of critical facility systems including HVAC, backup generator, UPS, DI water, domestic hot and cold water, boiler, vacuum, clean and dry compressed air, electrical systems, and related utilities in conjunction with the engineering team.
• Provide practical, hands-on troubleshooting of minor lab, production, or facilities equipment issues when appropriate.
• Support/facilitate technology transfer of the drug substance and drug product processes into the cGMP facility, including batch record and SOP development, and manufacturing readiness.
• Facilitate teams working as technical bridge between process development, manufacturing, quality, analytics, R&D, engineering, facilities, and external scientific advisors or consultants.
• Develop practical, phase-appropriate technical plans and schedules that support clinical manufacturing, cGMP readiness, and long-term scalability.
• Support the MSAT function as 20bloc transitions into cGMP clinical manufacturing operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, biochemical engineering, or another engineering field required.
• 10 or more years of professional experience in biopharma, biotech, pharmaceutical manufacturing, technical operations, CQV, engineering, facilities, or related regulated environments.
• Deep working knowledge of cGMP requirements, CQV execution, facility and utility qualification, equipment qualification, GMP documentation, and inspection readiness.
• Demonstrated ability to develop project plans, execution schedules, resource plans, and practical work plans for complex biopharma projects.
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to perform hands-on support when needed, including minor fixes or repairs to lab, production, or facilities equipment when appropriate.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with process operators, facilities staff, engineers, quality professionals, executive leadership, consultants, and PhD-level scientists.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office applications.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous, hands-on startup environment where priorities can shift quickly and the role may require moving between strategic planning, technical decision-making, team leadership, CQV execution, facilities support, and urgent troubleshooting within the same day.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, biochemical engineering, or another relevant engineering or scientific discipline.
• Proven experience managing teams of 5 or more employees, including technical staff, engineers, contractors, consultants, and cross-functional contributors.
• Direct CQV execution experience for cGMP facilities, utilities, process equipment, analytical equipment, cleanrooms, or supporting GMP infrastructure.
• Experience reviewing engineering drawings, building blueprints, P&IDs, equipment documentation, vendor packages, turnover packages, and qualification documentation.
• Experience working in a startup or early-stage biopharma environment where hands-on support, rapid prioritization, and cross-functional problem solving are required.
• Experience supporting MSAT activities

This is a full-time, on-site position located in Thousand Oaks, California, and requires working on-site Monday through Friday. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. We are not sponsoring employment visas.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $140,000-180,000. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including, without limitation, individual education, experience, tenure, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data, including potential adjustments for geographic location.

20BLOC is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits including health, dental, vision and life insurance, 401(k) and paid time off.