Product Launch & Lifecycle Engineer IV

Boehringer Ingelheim; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim seeks a Product Launch & Lifecycle Engineer to drive launch plans, lifecycle changes, and tech transfer for Human Pharma US Supply. You will oversee cross-functional teams, coordinate with CMOs, and ensure timely regulatory and production readiness for products marketed in the United States.

Role emphasizes process and packaging development, risk assessment, and collaboration with Regulatory Affairs to maintain supply and regulatory compliance across lifecycle stages.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of experimental methodology and design of experiments to support development/transfer/validation.
• Ability to define root cause relationships, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to apply PDCA principles (plan, do, check, act).
• Experience with verifying manufacturing equipment and understanding critical equipment parameters.
• Proficient computer skills with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong project management skills to drive milestones and cross-functional alignment.
• Willingness to take initiative and work with moderate supervision.
• Ability to lead teams and collaborate across functions on complex tasks.
• Training others in technical principles and process fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to design and execute launch plans and lifecycle activities for US products.
• Coordinate with development partners and external CMOs for process/packaging development and registrations.
• Prepare and review validation protocols and reports, master data, and product specifications to meet timelines.
• Evaluate regulatory impact of changes and ensure compliance with US regulatory requirements.
• Provide feedback on potential process and packaging optimization opportunities and risk areas.
• Mentor engineers and share knowledge across teams to improve performance.
• Ensure continued market supply through lifecycle changes and CPV/CSS activities.
• Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs and manufacturing sites to transfer knowledge to commercial operations.

Skills

Project Management

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Process & packaging engineering

Quality assurance

Validation

Education

B.S. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline

Job description

As an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, you will actively contribute to the discovery, development, and delivery of our products to our patients and customers. Our global presence provides opportunity for all employees to collaborate internationally, offering visibility and opportunity to directly contribute to the companies' success. We realize that our strength and competitive advantage lie with our people. We support our employees in several ways to foster a healthy working environment, meaningful work, mobility, networking, and work-life balance. Our competitive compensation and benefit programs reflect Boehringer Ingelheim's high regard for our employees. The Product Launch & Lifecycle Engineer will manage cross-functional project teams to support product launch, lifecycle, and technical transfer objectives of Human Pharma US Supply. This role will ensure availability of Boehringer Ingelheim products at Product Launch and throughout lifecycle between Boehringer Sites and/or to external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMO), including supporting process and packaging development and registration, start-up of commercial production, and transfer to lifecycle support. The Product Launch & Lifecycle Engineer will troubleshoot and resolve obstacles during process and packaging development, transfer, validation, commercialization. The incumbent will provide lifecycle support (Process and packaging expertise) for Human Pharma/Animal Health/BIO Products produced in the US or imported for the US market. The job scope for this role includes aspects of both Process and Packaging Engineering. Work assignments may be allocated between these disciplines based on skills and experience.

This role is based on-site at our Columbus, OH location with hybrid flexibility of 2-3 days per week on-site.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensures availability of Boehringer Ingelheim products throughout lifecycle Provide lifecycle support (Process and packaging expertise) for Human Pharma/Animal Health/BIO Products produced in the US or imported for the US market.
• Manages and supports cross-functional teams to implement product lifecycle changes (Material and component suppliers, site changes, specifications, etc.) to ensure continued market supply
• Manages Continued Process Verification (CPV), Control Strategy Summary (CSS), and Transport Qualification processes for assigned commercial products, to monitor product performance
• Coordinates continuous improvement activities for launched products through initial commercial production phase through lifecycle
• Supports Third Party Quality (3PQM) and Commercial Quality by providing technical and operational expertise in evaluation of Events/Deviations and Complaint investigations affecting US marketed products
• Identifies product quality, process and packaging robustness optimization opportunities through analysis of product performance and collaboration with peer and customer groups
• Collaborates with organizational partners to support these initiatives, as necessary
• Collaborates with Regulatory Affairs to support assessment of the regulatory impact of potential product changes, documentation of implemented changes, and ensure regulatory compliance
• Prepares and/or reviews line trial/validation protocols/reports, master batch records, product or packaging material specifications, GBS master data, master packaging specifications, defines technical elements for product labeling, and completes other documents for assigned products/projects to meet established project timelines
• Collaborates with development partners/customers (e.g. Boehringer sites, External CMOs) for the process and packaging development and registration of new product market authorizations ensuring that all project timelines are met
• Collaborates with development partners during process and packaging development to ensure knowledge transfer to commercial operations
• Provides critical review of new products/processes/packaging regarding fit with US operational capabilities
• Provides feedback to development partners on potential critical mismatches between new products/processes/packages and operational capabilities and identify potential optimization opportunities
• Identifies and recommends selection and/or design of processes and systems which meet product and regulatory requirements, and are compatible with BI production practices, while meeting marketing and financial needs. May require assistance from functional management to influence development partners in the selection of processes and packaging systems
• Executes assigned project deliverables with minimal guidance from functional management and/or senior Engineers; may require guidance on technical aspects of medium to high complexity, as well as problem solving approaches for dealing with project roadblocks (technical and/or logistic)

Requirements

Level III

• B.S. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline plus a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in pharmaceutical process or packaging engineering, quality assurance, product development, manufacturing, or applicable pharmaceutical experience, or twelve (12) years' experience in product development, process, or packaging engineering in a related industry

Level IV

• B.S. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline plus a minimum of fifteen (15) years’ experience in pharmaceutical process or packaging engineering, quality assurance, product development, manufacturing, or applicable pharmaceutical experience, or twenty (20) years' experience in product development, process or packaging engineering in a related industry required

Experimental Methodology

• Working knowledge of experimental methodology and design of experiments to support pharmaceutical development/process transfer/validation. Ability to define root cause relationships, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

Critical Thinking

• Ability to apply the PDCA principles (plan, do, check, act)

Complex Problem Solving

• Working knowledge of and ability to apply investigative techniques to uncover problem areas, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions
• Uses problem solving abilities requiring attention to detail, accuracy, and scientific judgment
• Develops solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity, as defined in Accountabilities section

Mechanical and technical aptitude

• Demonstrated ability to learn functionality and troubleshooting of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and understanding of the impact of critical equipment parameters on key product performance parameters at the expert level

Computer Skills

• Proficient computer skills with the ability to enter data into and retrieve information from various software programs such as Microsoft Office (Work, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

Project Management

• Organizational skills and ability to facilitate execution of project milestones using project management skills

Initiative

• Works under direct supervision for strategic decisions and with minimal supervision for tactical execution of tasks of moderate complexity
• Exercises moderate latitude in determining objectives and approaches to assignments

Teamwork

• Ability to be an active participant on teams of moderate to high complexity, and to lead/facilitate teams on tasks of moderate complexity

Training

• Skills to effectively educate colleagues on technical principles, process fundamentals, etc. (e.g. explaining critical process issues at meetings)

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction
• Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required)
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Desired Skills, Experience and Abilities

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs Process, Packaging, or Transport Risk Assessments at applicable product lifecycle stages, balancing primary input from development partners with own critical process review and input; collaboratively identify critical risk areas and potential remediation plans for team review & selection of processes and systems
• Acts as back-up/surge capacity for Product Launch Manager role
• Leads cross-functional teams in design and execution of new product launch plans, coordinate with global development and US Asset teams to develop launch scenarios, communicate progress and issues throughout the project life to internal BI stakeholders and external suppliers and providers
• Mentors and cross-trains other Engineers in technical and procedural aspects of launch and lifecycle management
• Coordinates directly with peers in corporate functions and production sites to share knowledge and best practices

Our Company

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Why Boehringer Ingelheim?

With us, you can develop your own path in a company with a culture that knows our differences are our strengths - and break new ground in the drive to make millions of lives better.

Here, your development is our priority. Supporting you to build a career as part of a workplace that is independent, authentic and bold, while tackling challenging work in a respectful and friendly environment where everyone is valued and welcomed.

Alongside, you have access to programs and groups that ensure your health and wellbeing are looked after - as we make major investments to drive global accessibility to healthcare. By being part of a team that is constantly innovating, you'll be helping to transform lives for generations.

Want to learn more? Visit https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com