MSAT Senior Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Life & disability insurance

Employee assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Lonza is seeking an MSAT Senior Scientist for a fully site-based role in California. You will independently lead technical transfers of upstream processes from Development and Pilot scale to GMP operations, acting as a SME and coach to the team.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and external customers, shaping manufacturing strategies and driving continuous improvement in biologics processes to ensure high quality and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or relevant field.
• Strong technical writing and collaboration with customers and teams.
• Deep understanding of biologics processes and manufacturing.
• Strong analytical skills to identify issues, assess data and propose solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and represent MSAT on customer-facing project teams to transfer upstream processes into GMP manufacturing.
• Drive introduction and implementation of new upstream technologies in cGMP manufacturing with cross-functional oversight.
• Provide scientific leadership to evaluate and implement innovative manufacturing technologies and improve processes.
• Lead investigations and RCA to resolve manufacturing challenges and drive continuous improvement and compliance.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams and manage major technical projects including new processes and equipment.
• Design and implement manufacturing control strategies and CPV systems to maintain product quality and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Strong technical writing

Collaboration with customers

Analytical skills

Effective communication

Data-driven decisions

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences

Job description

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.

MSAT Senior Scientist will independently lead the technical transfer of multiple concurrent manufacturing processes (Upstream - USP) from Process Development, Pilot Scale and other sites of manufacture to GMP operations. The role will be a recognized process expert. Supporting multiple customer project teams to deliver manufacturing processes in negotiation with external customers as well as other internal cross-functional teams. This role has the opportunity to develop an extensive internal network. Building influence and credibility in the industry. In addition, the role will act as a coach/mentor to more junior team members and cross functionally as a Subject Matter Expert (SME).

What you will get

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $107,250 to $178,750.

• 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

• Lead and represent MSAT on customer-facing project teams, ensuring successful transfer of new and existing upstream processes into GMP manufacturing using standardized technology transfer methodologies.
• Drive the introduction, qualification, and implementation of new upstream process technologies in cGMP manufacturing through effective cross-functional leadership and technical oversight.
• Provide scientific leadership and technical expertise to evaluate, champion, and implement innovative manufacturing technologies while continuously improving existing processes.
• Lead complex investigations and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to resolve manufacturing process challenges and drive continuous improvement, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams and manage major technical projects, including the introduction of new processes, equipment, and technologies, while ensuring delivery of project objectives.
• Design and implement manufacturing control strategies and Continuous Process Verification (CPV) systems to maintain process robustness, product quality, and regulatory compliance for commercial products.
• Serve as a key technical SME for regulatory inspections, audits, customer interactions, and business development activities, including technical document review, proposal support, and representation of Lonza in customer meetings.

What we are looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or relevant field.
• Strong technical writing, collaboration with customers and teams
• A deep understanding of biologics processes and manufacturing
• Strong analytical skills to identify issues, assess data, and propose solutions.
• Effective communication and.
• Ability to evaluate data and drive process improvements.
• Adaptable to fast-paced environments, shifting workloads, and timelines.

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.