Project Engineer 3

Lonza; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative culture

Career growth

Cutting-edge tech

Competitive compensation

401(k) matching

Mentoring

Sustainable practices

Job summary

Lonza is seeking a Project Engineer 3 for on-site work in Portsmouth, NH. You will provide technical leadership for manufacturing and process systems, acting as a resource to operations to ensure equipment and facilities meet production needs.

Key duties include leading equipment reliability and maintenance, managing capital projects and contractors, owning process tech transfers, and guiding quality, safety, and audits while updating critical documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 5–10 years of substantial pharmaceutical/biotech experience.
• Experience in the design and operation of Biopharmaceutical facilities.
• Experience with control systems (PLC, DCS, Loop controllers) desirable.
• Project management and coordination experience for capital projects in an industrial environment.
• Managing engineering and construction management consultants, equipment vendors and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Lead root cause analysis and sustain maintenance programs by optimizing preventive maintenance plans.
• Plan and execute capital plant projects, oversee commissioning protocols, and manage engineering contractors.
• Own P&IDs and process equipment; lead technology transfers.
• Own change requests and CAPA actions; assist deviation investigations and risk assessments.
• Review SOPs, batch records, and validation protocols; update critical engineering docs and drawings.
• Act as SME during facility audits and inspections.
• Demonstrate safety leadership while meeting project milestones.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Problem solving

Education

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

Tools

PLC / DCS control systems

Process equipment ownership

Job description

Project Engineer 3

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.

Access to our full list of global benefits: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits

What you will do:

• 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.