Project Engineer 3

Lonza Group; Portsmouth (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching plan

Competitive compensation and benefits

Career growth opportunities

Access to cutting-edge technologies

Supportive leadership and mentoring

Ethical and sustainable practices

Job summary

Lonza in Portsmouth, NH seeks a Plant Engineer 3 to provide technical leadership for manufacturing and process systems. You will guide equipment design, operation and maintenance to meet production needs and lead capital projects with contractors.

The role emphasizes process engineering, tech transfer, quality/compliance support, and safety execution. Bachelor's in Engineering with 5–10 years of relevant experience is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical or Biopharmaceutical disciplines).
• 5–10 years of substantial pharmaceutical/biotech experience or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Equipment Reliability & Maintenance: lead root cause analysis, resolve major equipment breakdowns, and sustain maintenance programs by optimizing preventive maintenance plans.
• Project & Contractor Management: plan and execute capital plant projects, oversee commissioning protocols, and manage engineering contractors.
• Process Engineering & Tech Transfer: own P&IDs and process equipment, lead new technology transfers.
• Quality & Compliance Support: own change requests and CAPA actions, assist deviation investigations, lead quality risk assessments.
• Documentation & Asset Review: review and revise SOPs, batch records, validation protocols, update engineering drawings.
• Audit Subject Matter Expert: serve as SME during facility audits and inspections.
• Safety & Execution: demonstrate safety leadership and balance priorities to meet milestones.

Skills

Project management

Safety leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical/Mechanical/Biopharmaceutical)

Tools

PLC

DCS

Loop controllers

Job description

United States, Portsmouth (New Hampshire)

Location: On-site, Portsmouth, NH. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families.

The Plant Engineer 3 role supports ongoing Lonza operations by providing technical leadership as it relates to manufacturing and process systems. The role acts as a technical resource to operations customers to ensure that equipment and facilities are designed, operated, and maintained to meet production needs. Responsibilities of the role include implementation of engineering projects to support manufacturing requirements.

What you will get:

A collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Opportunities for career growth and development.

Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools.

Competitive compensation and benefits package.

401(k) matching plan.

Supportive leadership and mentoring.

Commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.

Equipment Reliability & Maintenance: Lead root cause analysis, resolve major equipment breakdowns, and sustain maintenance programs by optimizing preventative maintenance plans.

Project & Contractor Management: Plan and execute capital plant projects, oversee commissioning protocols, and manage engineering contractors.

Process Engineering & Tech Transfer: Serve as the technical owner of P&IDs and process equipment, acting as the lead for new technology transfers.

Quality & Compliance Support: Own change requests and CAPA actions, assist with deviation investigations, and lead quality risk assessments.

Documentation & Asset Review: Review and revise SOPs, batch records, and validation protocols, while updating critical engineering documents and drawings.

Audit Subject Matter Expert: Act as the engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME) during facility audits and inspections.

Safety & Execution: Demonstrate safety leadership by example and balance priorities effectively to meet project milestones and timelines.

What we are looking for:

Bachelor’s degree is required. Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Biopharmaceutical are referred areas of study) discipline with 5-10 years of substantial pharmaceutical/biotechnology experience (or equivalent).

Experience in the design and operation of Biopharmaceutical facilities, both manufacturing and support systems.

Experience with control systems (PLC, DCS, Loop controllers) desirable.

Project management and coordination experience associated with the execution of capital projects in an industrial environment in required.

Practical experience in the management and coordination of engineering and construction management consultants, equipment vendors and contractors is required.

Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, keeping track of costs and schedule and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.

A solid understanding of design principles and standards within Biopharmaceutical facilities.

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—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. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

• 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.