Principal Engineer, Lentivirus Downstream Process Development

BioSpace; New Jersey; On-site; USD 146,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Equity

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Legend Biotech, a leading biotechnology company, seeks a Principal Engineer for Lentivirus Downstream Process Development to lead process design, optimization, and scale-up in Somerset, NJ. The role focuses on developing robust LVV purification strategies, combined with modeling and analytics to support GMP manufacturing.

The candidate will guide a team of scientists, implement APC strategies, and ensure seamless technology transfer for clinical programs, while maintaining strict regulatory

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years (PhD) or 10+ years (MS) in process development or manufacturing within biotech/pharma.
• Experience with bioprocessing modeling, simulation, and interaction of biomolecules and machinery.
• Experience with Python and MATLAB.
• Deep experience in purification, chromatography, and TFF.
• Strong GMP and CMC knowledge for clinical programs.
• Knowledge of lentiviral vector technologies.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills; able to lead teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and scale LVV downstream purification processes.
• Develop mechanistic and hybrid models to guide downstream development.
• Apply data analytics and ML to derive process insights.
• Oversee transfer to GMP manufacturing and tech transfer between sites.
• Lead cross-functional teams and communicate progress and risks.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Creative thinking

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

MS in Bioprocessing or related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life‑threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR‑T), T-cell receptor (TCR‑T), natural killer (NK) cell‑based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting‑edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta‑cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Principal Engineer, Lentivirus Downstream Process Development as part of the Technical Development team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

The Principal Engineer, Lentivirus Downstream Process Development, will be a key technical leader responsible for designing, optimizing, and scaling purification processes for lentiviral vectors (LVV) within our innovative pipeline. This role focuses on delivering high-quality vector products to support LVV generation and other advanced cell therapy programs. The successful candidate will drive scientific excellence in scaling automation capabilities from concept to operation, integrating analytics, and modeling into downstream workflows, and translating microscale insights into robust, scalable processes—ensuring processes are robust, scalable, and phase‑appropriate for GMP manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Build state‑of‑the‑art mechanistic and hybrid models that directly influence the development of LVV downstream processing, build operational efficiency by model‑first and AI‑enabled development strategies.
• Apply core engineering concepts including mass transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics to build robust in silico process models.
• Perform data analytics using ML algorithms for modelling and clustering to generate process insights.
• Working closely with team to implement development and optimization of downstream processes including and not limited to: clarification (depth filtration, centrifugation), chromatography (AEX, SEC, HIC), and Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) for concentration and diafiltration.
• Direct the translation of bench‑scale processes to GMP manufacturing by simulation plus wet lab, ensuring seamless technology transfer and providing troubleshooting support during clinical production runs.
• Design/ Implement different Advanced Process Control (APC) strategy (e.g., MPC, State Estimators) to optimise process performance.
• Communicate the potential for issues and delays along with solutions and mitigation approaches.
• In collaboration with the Senior Leaders, CMC Project Manager, Project Leader, and other technical leads identify project acceleration opportunities.
• Leverage advanced science and technology to maximize vector recovery, purity, and potency, identifying creative solutions to define unknowns in the viral vector field.
• Guide a team of scientists in the execution of project‑specific activities, fostering a culture of transparency, scientific rigor, and continuous improvement.
• Author and serve as a primary reviewer for technical documents, including development reports, SOPs, and CMC sections for regulatory submissions (IND/IMPD).
• Work closely with Upstream Process Development and Analytical Development teams to ensure integrated and holistic process outcomes.
• Tech transfer process to/from other Legend sites or CDMOs
• Resolve conflict and proactively identify/address performance issues.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred, or MS) in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, bioprocessing engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years (PhD) or 10+ years (MS) of experience in process development or manufacturing within a biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
• Strong engineering knowledge of the bioprocessing modeling/simulation and the interaction of biomolecules, materials and machinery.
• Experience with modeling software and programming language such as Python and MATLAB.
• Deep technical experience in purification, chromatography, and TFF.
• Strong understanding of GMP manufacturing requirements and CMC strategies for early‑phase and late phase clinical trials.
• Deep knowledge in lentiviral vector technologies within the current emerging field
• Excellent leadership, emotional intelligence, and communication skills; ability to maintain composure and strategic focus during challenging development timelines.
• Creative, strategic thinking
• Strong troubleshooting skills
• Preferred experience in developing vector processes tailored for in vivo CAR‑T generation and systemic delivery
• Preferred experience in large scale(>50L) purification process
• Language(s): English. Mandarin is a plus

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance‑based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well‑being initiatives, and peer‑to‑peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay)

$146,410 - $192,164 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full‑time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

Work Authorization & Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E‑Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I‑9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E‑Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at‑will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.