Principal Instrumentation Technician

Lonza Group; Vacaville (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus performance‑related

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching plan

Life insurance & disability insurance

Employee assistance programs

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Lonza is seeking a Principal Instrumentation Technician for a fully on-site role in Vacaville, CA. You will troubleshoot highly complex instrumentation, mentor staff, and participate in Maintenance Optimization as an SME to improve uptime, safety, and cost efficiency while ensuring cGMP compliance.

The position requires 5+ years GMP experience and 5–10 years in instrumentation; you will lead technical education and coordinate across Instrument Services, MSAT, and Reliability Engineering.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in a GMP environment.
• 5–10 years in manufacturing process instrumentation, control systems, or analytical instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of industrial process instrumentation principles and systems.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs with reasonable accommodations.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced hands‑on troubleshooting for highly complex instrumentation and mechanical equipment failures, resolving out‑of‑tolerance conditions to optimize, validate, and restore production uptime.
• Serve as the Instrument Services SME on the Maintenance Optimization team and participate in cross‑functional governance teams to advise on equipment design, procurement, commissioning, and qualification.
• Partner with Production, MSAT, and Reliability Engineering to identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing safety, quality, and cost efficiency across site operations.
• Conduct root cause assessments for process discrepancies and Quality investigations using systems like Track Wise/Veeva; implement corrective actions and initiate necessary maintenance documentation updates.
• Identify and implement equipment and procedural improvements within the Preventive Maintenance program to ensure strict alignment with cGMP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a team lead to coordinate work, exercise independent judgment on critical site tasks, and design and deliver continuing technical education to upskill maintenance staff.
• Perform active in‑process and post‑completion field audits to enforce quality execution, verify adherence to maintenance procedures, and prevent rework.

Skills

GMP environment

Instrumentation & controls

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Mentoring & training

Safety/compliance

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

TrackWise

Veeva

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.

The Principal Instrumentation Technician will function as a liaison between Instrument Services, MSAT, and Reliability Engineering, troubleshoot highly complex issues, provide oversight and guidance, mentor, and create necessary training to ensure a broad base of knowledge within the Instrument Services group. In addition, this individual will participate in the Maintenance Optimization team as an SME to drive improvements that will enable less equipment downtime, eliminate waste, and develop integrated technological solutions.

What you will get:

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $78,750 to $131,250.In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• 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

Shift: Tuesday -Friday 4x10's, Swing shift.

What you will do:

• Provide advanced hands‑on troubleshooting for highly complex instrumentation and mechanical equipment failures, resolving out‑of‑tolerance conditions to optimize, validate, and restore production uptime.
• Serve as the Instrument Services SME on the Maintenance Optimization team and participate in cross‑functional governance teams to advise on equipment design, procurement, commissioning, and qualification.
• Partner with Production, MSAT, and Reliability Engineering to identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing safety, quality, and cost efficiency across site operations.
• Conduct root cause assessments for process discrepancies and Quality investigations using systems like Track Wise/Veeva; implement corrective actions and initiate necessary maintenance documentation updates.
• Identify and implement equipment and procedural improvements within the Preventive Maintenance program to ensure strict alignment with cGMP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a team lead to coordinate work, exercise independent judgment on critical site tasks, and design and deliver continuing technical education to upskill maintenance staff.
• Perform active in‑process and post‑completion field audits to enforce quality execution, verify adherence to maintenance procedures, and prevent rework.

What we look for:

• High School Diploma.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in a GMP environment.
• 5 to 10 years in manufacturing process instrumentation, control systems, or analytical instrumentation preferred.
• Strong understanding of industrial process instrumentation principles and systems.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs with reasonable accommodations.
• Valid driver’s license.

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.

Reference: R80519

You will feel at home at Lonza if you:

• Take ownership, step forward, and enjoy meaningful responsibility
• Love solving problems and thrive in a complex, fast‑moving environment
• Are curious, always looking to learn and improve
• Work collaboratively, contributing to something bigger than yourself
• Are motivated to make a difference through work that impacts customers and their patients

Why Lonza:

We are a place of unique opportunity, where your ideas, expertise and ambition can make a real difference. Here, will have the freedom to grow, the support to succeed and the chance to contribute to work that matters.

We are the makers of the medicines of tomorrow.