Principal Process Engineer

Syner-G; Norwood (MA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards program

Remote work options

Office locations in Greater Boston and

San Diego, CA; Boulder, CO; India

Generous flexible PTO

Job summary

Syner-G, a leading biopharma product development partner, seeks a Principal Process Engineer with 18+ years of experience to drive strategic design, optimization, and automation of complex manufacturing and laboratory processes. You will guide cross-functional teams, mentor staff, and shape long-term process strategy across development, clinical, and commercial operations.

The role requires leading major engineering and automation initiatives, developing robust, scalable processes, and

Qualifications

• 18+ years in process engineering within biotech, pharma, or advanced manufacturing.
• Experience with automated process equipment (bioreactors, chromatography, filtration, formulation).
• Leadership in development, scale-up, integration, and optimization across programs.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor engineering staff.
• Experience shaping process strategy and long-term operational planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-level process development, optimization, and scale-up initiatives.
• Serve as senior authority for process automation strategy and digitalization.
• Approve PFDs, P&IDs, engineering studies, equipment specs, and process descriptions.
• Perform high-level process modeling, statistics, and system-wide assessments.
• Lead commissioning, qualification, and startup of major process systems and platforms.
• Collaborate with automation, engineering, operations, and digital teams on monitoring tools and data-driven control.
• Troubleshoot deviations and guide engineering teams and client stakeholders.
• Lead multi-site technology transfer to ensure scalability and consistency.
• Oversee vendor relationships and manage equipment upgrades and redesigns.
• Drive continuous improvement on yield, throughput, cost, and robustness.
• Mentor engineering staff and contribute to succession planning.
• Advise leadership on process strategy, risk, and long-term planning.
• Influence engineering standards and technology roadmaps.

Skills

Leadership

Process automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Project management

Education

BS/MS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering

Tools

DeltaV

Rockwell

Siemens

SCADA/PLC systems

Job description

At Syner-G, we enable our people to build careers that impact positively on their quality of life. Through our expertise, insight, consulting and management skills, we accelerate breakthrough science and delivery of life-enhancing therapies to more patients. We work across a diverse range of clients and projects, supporting many organizations from the most critical phases of the drug discovery and approval process through to commercialization. It is meaningful, varied and thought-provoking work with a strategic emphasis, a solutions-driven approach and significant, real-world outcomes, from science to delivery/success. To learn more about who we are and what drives us, watch our company video here .

Underpinning this mission is a culture that aligns perfectly with what we want to achieve. We enable our people to grow, we support them in their learning and we reward them in so many different ways. In return, they play an instrumental role in maintaining our reputation across the globe as a strategic biopharma product development and delivery partner.

Syner-G was recently honored with BioSpace's prestigious "Best Places to Work" 2026 award, for the third consecutive year, along with many other award-winning programs to make a career here truly life-enhancing. These recognitions are a testament to our commitment to fostering a positive and engaging work environment for our employees, with a particular emphasis on culture, career growth and development opportunities, financial rewards, leadership and innovation.

At Syner-G, we recognize that our team members are our most valuable asset. Join us in shaping the future, where your talents are valued, and your contributions make a meaningful impact.

Syner-G is seeking a Principal Process Engineer with 18+ years of experience to provide strategic technical leadership in the design, optimization, and automation of complex manufacturing and laboratory processes. This role serves as a senior technical authority responsible for shaping long-term process strategy, leading major engineering and automation initiatives, and driving innovation across multiple client programs. The Principal Process Engineer will guide cross-functional teams, mentor engineering staff, and ensure the development of highly robust, scalable, and efficient processes that support development, clinical, and commercial operations.

WORK LOCATION:

Travel to client sites may be required up to 100%, based on project demands and client expectations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead enterprise-level process development, optimization, and scale-up initiatives across upstream, downstream, or formulation operations.
• Serve as a senior technical authority for process automation strategy, including advanced control methodologies, digital transformation, and integration of next-generation technologies.
• Develop, review, and approve complex engineering documentation such as PFDs, P&IDs, engineering studies, equipment specifications, and process descriptions.
• Conduct high-level process modeling, statistical analysis, and system-wide assessments to drive strategic improvements and long-term process reliability.
• Lead commissioning, qualification, and startup of major process systems, automated equipment, and integrated manufacturing platforms.
• Partner with automation, engineering, operations, and digital teams to implement advanced monitoring tools, predictive analytics, and data-driven process control solutions.
• Troubleshoot critical process deviations, equipment failures, and automation issues, providing expert-level guidance to engineering teams and client stakeholders.
• Lead multi-site technology transfer activities, ensuring process scalability, consistency, and alignment across development, clinical, and commercial environments.
• Oversee vendor relationships and manage complex equipment upgrades, process redesigns, and automation projects with significant technical and business impact.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield, throughput, cost efficiency, and long-term process robustness.
• Mentor, coach, and develop engineering staff at all levels, contributing to organizational technical capability and succession planning.
• Advise internal leadership and client executives on process strategy, risk mitigation, and long-term technical planning.
• Influence organizational engineering standards, best practices, and technology roadmaps.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Education

• BS/MS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.

Experience

• 18+ years of experience in process engineering within biotech, pharmaceutical, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Extensive experience with automated process equipment such as bioreactors, chromatography systems, filtration skids, or formulation systems.
• Deep expertise with process automation platforms (e.g., DeltaV, Rockwell, Siemens, SCADA/PLC systems).
• Demonstrated leadership in process development, scale-up, equipment integration, and process optimization across multiple programs or sites.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex technical programs, and mentor engineering staff.
• Experience shaping process strategy, influencing technical direction, and contributing to long-term operational planning.

Technical Skills

• Expert-level understanding of process engineering fundamentals, mass/energy balances, process control, and equipment design.
• Strong ability to develop, interpret, and approve P&IDs, engineering drawings, and automation logic.
• Advanced data analysis and modeling capabilities using engineering and statistical tools.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and program management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives in a fast-paced, technically demanding environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of the requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer keyboard and mouse; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen. The employee is frequently required to walk and sit, as well as to lift and carry objects such as books and files weighing up to 25 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to stand, stoop, or kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, including moderate noise level, an indoor temperate environment, and light levels that are bright and conducive to minimal eye strain, typical for an office environment.

We define total rewards as compensation, benefits, remote work/flexibility, development, recognition, and our culture with programs that support each of our reward pillars. This includes a market competitive base salary and annual incentive plan, robust benefit offerings, and ongoing recognition and career development opportunities. Employees also enjoy our generous flexible paid time off program, company-paid holidays, flexible working hours, and fully remote work options for most positions and the ability to work almost anywhere. However, if a physical work location is more for you, we have office locations in Greater Boston; San Diego, CA; Boulder, CO; and India.

Currently, Syner-G is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

LEGAL STATEMENT:
Syner-G is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affi... All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Syner-G is an E-Verify employer.