Principal Project Manager

Lonza; Vacaville (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching plan

Life insurance, as well as short-term

Disability insurance

Employee assistance programs

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Lonza Vacaville site is seeking a Principal Project Manager to lead capital and non-capital projects on site. This fully site-based role emphasizes in-person collaboration to ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance in manufacturing.

You will manage design through commissioning, control budgets and milestones, and liaise with Global Engineering, F&E, MSAT and Quality. A Bachelor's in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering is required, with proven experience in regulated environments and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven expertise in end-to-end project execution across design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Executive-level accountability for budget, delivery schedules, and milestones.
• Experience in regulated environments and EHS compliance.
• Strong ability to align stakeholders and manage external contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of cGMP facility modifications and capital projects.
• Own project performance by managing budgets and milestones.
• Ensure all activities comply with regulatory, EHS, and quality requirements.
• Communicate objectives, risks, and milestones with leadership and teams.
• Collaborate with procurement to negotiate and manage contracts.
• Identify risks and resolve cross-functional conflicts.
• Refine project management procedures and governance.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Procurement collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

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 Project Manager (PM), is responsible for managing capital and expense (non-capital) projects at the Vacaville site. This position ensures safe delivery, compliance with all

applicable requirements, including cGMP quality, risk, schedule and budget. The PM shall work closely Global Engineering, and colleagues in Vacaville Facilities and Engineering (F&E),

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) Safety Health Environment (SHE) and Quality Departments.

What you will get

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $159,750 to $266,250. 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

What you will do

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex cGMP facility modifications, tech transfers, and capital projects from design through commissioning and closeout.
• Own project performance by strictly managing budgets and meeting milestone schedules for manufacturing upgrades and new construction.
• Ensure all engineering, construction, and operational activities strictly adhere to federal, state, local, and EHS regulatory requirements.
• Communicate project objectives, risks, and milestone status with senior management, client teams, procurement, legal, and F&E leadership.
• Partner with procurement to develop, negotiate, and manage external contracts and internal resources to optimize project delivery.
• Proactively identify project risks, resolve cross-functional conflicts, and align stakeholder expectations to ensure successful outcomes.
• Continuously refine project management procedures and ensure full compliance with internal project governance standards.

What we look for

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven expertise in end-to-end project execution, spanning scope definition, engineering design, procurement, construction, commissioning, start-up, and closeout.
• Strong executive accountability for strict budget management, accelerated delivery schedules, and enterprise milestone targets.
• Executive-level oversight of complex, highly regulated operational environments, ensuring absolute compliance with local, federal, and EHS standards.
• Exceptional ability to align expectations, communicate risks, and drive strategic alignment with senior leadership, legal, procurement, and client teams.
• Advanced expertise in orchestrating internal resources and partnering with procurement to negotiate high-value contractor and supplier agreements.
• Champion of continuous improvement, evolving site-wide project procedures, governance frameworks, and automation infrastructure.

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.

• 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.