Manufacturing & Tech Ops - Lead Engineer - Project Farma

PerkinElmer; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 89,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Project Farma, a PerkinElmer company, seeks a Lead Engineer for manufacturing and tech operations. This full-time salaried role supports complex technical programs, including technology transfers and process validations, with travel to client sites across the United States.

The successful candidate will apply deep technical delivery skills, mentor engineers, and partner with cross-functional teams to meet regulatory commitments and deliver high-quality outcomes for life sciences projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 4–7 years in engineering or operations within pharma/biotech environments.
• Strong understanding of cGMP regulations and regulatory guidelines.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and drawings.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness to travel for client projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for complex technical operations initiatives (NPI, technology transfers, process validations).
• Develop integrated program plans, critical path analyses, risk registers, and resource plans.
• Contribute to stage-gate processes and governance deliverables to meet milestones and regulatory commitments.
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams across Manufacturing, Process Development, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Engineering.
• Translate scientific and process requirements into executable operational plans and CPP/CQA awareness.
• Support technology transfer activities from development into GMP manufacturing, including documentation and readiness reviews.
• Resolve technical, operational, and quality issues during operations, startup or shutdown of equipment.
• Develop manufacturing batch records, SOPs or validation protocols as required.
• Perform operational readiness assessments covering equipment, facility, process, and staff readiness.
• Coach and develop a team of technical professionals to deliver high-quality work.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Documentation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science or Engineering

Tools

IQ/OQ/PQ

Job description

This is a full-time salaried position with Project Farma, a PerkinElmer company. The successful candidate will reside in one of Project Farma's primary markets and be willing to travel domestically to meet client project requests.

Project Farma’s purpose is to improve patient lives by accelerating the delivery of life-changing therapies. We accomplish this through the successful execution of high-quality life sciences projects across the full project lifecycle. Project Farma (PF) team members collaborate with cross-functional teams to build trusted client relationships, deliver an exceptional customer experience, and contribute to business growth by identifying opportunities and applying data-driven insights to support project planning, cost, schedule, and performance management.

All team members are expected to embody Project Farma’s values by being curious, personable, and unselfish, while maintaining a strong commitment to a Patient Focused and People First mindset.

The Manufacturing & Tech Ops - Lead Engineer is an advanced individual contributor with demonstrated depth in their technical discipline and a growing record of leading complex workstreams. This role applies strong subject‑matter expertise to solve high‑impact technical and operational challenges, supports technical decision‑making, and contributes to the evolution of standards, methods, or best practices within their area. The Lead Engineer works with a high degree of independence, mentors junior and peer engineers, and partners closely with project and people leaders—while remaining focused on technical delivery rather than formal people management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or Support end-to-end program management for complex technical operations initiatives including new product introductions, technology transfers, process validations, and facility fit assessments.
• Develop integrated program plans, critical path analyses, risk registers, and resource plans; proactively identify and elevate risks and issues.
• Contribute to the completion of stage-gate processes and governance deliverables, ensuring milestones are met on time, within scope, and aligned to regulatory commitments.
• Coordinate or work with cross-functional workstreams across Manufacturing, Process Development, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and Engineering.
• Partner with technical subject matter experts to translate scientific and process requirements into executable operational plans, development of staff awareness of critical process parameters (CPP) and critical quality attributes (CQA).
• Support technology transfer activities from development into GMP manufacturing, including documentation, gap assessments, and readiness reviews.
• Facilitate resolution of technical, operational, and quality issues that arise during operations, startup or shutdown of manufacturing equipment.
• Development of manufacturing batch records, SOPs or validation protocols As required.
• Perform operational readiness assessments that fully evaluate equipment suitability and reliability, facility fit and finish, material workflow, supply chain planning, training materials and programs, quality and compliance, sampling plans, area risk assessments and personnel PPE/gowning requirements, cleaning procedures and frequency, tier communication plans, warehouse operations and operational planning that incorporates planned downtime for necessary asset maintenance and repair.
• Support the primary point of contact and program communicator in their efforts to align with senior leadership, cross-functional partners, and external collaborators or CDMOs.
• Drive alignment across stakeholders with competing priorities; facilitate trade-off discussions and decision‑making.
• Support the development and deployment of program management frameworks, tools, and best practices across the organization.
• Coach and develop a team of technical professionals to deliver high‑quality work aligned with project, client, and business objectives.
• Other duties as assigned

Attributes for Success

• Technical Delivery: Applies advanced technical knowledge and professional expertise
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Seeks better ways, adapts to change and champions new ideas.
• Customer Focus & Professionalism: Represents PF with consistent professionalism, appropriate escalation and respect for internal stakeholders, even during high stress delivery situations
• Integrity & Humility: Demonstrates self-awareness and puts PF mission above ego
• Collaboration & Communication: Communicates clearly and proactively and drives transparent alignment with clients.
• Project Execution: Delivers reliably, manages priorities and drives for high quality outcomes
• Growth Mindset: Shows openness to new ideas, feedback and change

ExperienceRequired

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science, Engineering, or related discipline (OR a combination of equivalent work experience in capital project engineering, pharma cGMP facility start-up, CapEx/OpEx project management and/or comparable military experience).
• 4-7 years of experience in engineering or operations within pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing processes (biologics, small molecule, or both).
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and engineering drawings.
• Working knowledge of cGMP regulations (FDA 21 CFR Parts 210/211, ICH guidelines, EMA requirements).
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Travel: Willingness to travel asrequiredfor client project assignments.

Other Preferred

• Certification in First Aid or CPR,
• Familiarity with ISO standards and FDA audit processes.
• Experience supporting equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Experience with aseptic processing is a plus
• Familiarity with regulatory submission processes (IND, BLA, NDA, MAA).
• Six Sigma, Lean, or other continuous improvement certification.

Project Farma is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. PerkinElmer is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We will not sponsor applicants for current or future work visas for this position. This position may require significant travel to support project and business needs. We cannot employ anyone with an invalid driver's license.

The annualcompensation range for this full-time position is $(89,000 - $120,000). The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.