Project Engineer III

Siegfried; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401K

Life Insurance

Pet Insurance

Flexible Spending & HSA

Job summary

Siegfried is seeking a Project Engineer III to lead and execute CAPEX projects in a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment. You will oversee concept through commissioning, qualification, validation, and ongoing support, driving cross-functional collaboration and engineering excellence.

Ideal candidates bring 4+ years in pharma engineering, CQV experience, and a strong track record of delivering compliant, cost-effective capital projects that enhance manufacturing performance and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field.
• 4+ years engineering experience within pharma or regulated manufacturing.
• 2+ years direct experience in CQV (equipment commissioning, qualification and validation).
• Experience managing CAPEX projects involving manufacturing equipment, cleanrooms, utilities, and process improvements.
• Hands-on experience with equipment installation, startup, troubleshooting, and qualification activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage CAPEX projects from concept through completion, including facility expansions, utility upgrades, equipment installations, and process improvements.
• Develop project charters, budgets, schedules, risk mitigation strategies, and stakeholder plans.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders, contractors, and suppliers across the project lifecycle.
• Lead equipment commissioning, qualification, and validation activities (GMP/validation lifecycle) and ensure audit-ready documentation.
• Provide technical leadership to improve manufacturing performance and equipment reliability.

Skills

Project management

CAPEX leadership

GMP knowledge

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Expect to grow, personally and professionally: At Siegfried, we offer exciting challenges and ample opportunities to showcase your talents. As a trusted and respected partner to the pharmaceutical industry, we uphold the highest standards in safety, quality and sustainability, while fostering a culture that empowers you to thrive. Join a rapidly expanding global company, where diverse perspectives and experiences come together in a collaborative environment. Here, you'll find a workplace that values both collective success and your individual contributions—offering long‑term opportunities to grow and make an impact.

Your Role

The Project Engineer III is responsible for leading and executing capital investment (CAPEX) projects and strategic engineering initiatives that support manufacturing operations, facility expansion, equipment upgrades, process improvements, and new product introductions within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment. This role provides technical leadership throughout the full project lifecycle, from concept development and design through commissioning, qualification, validation, implementation, and ongoing operational support.

As a subject matter expert, Project Engineer III supports new product introductions, equipment lifecycle management, process optimization, and infrastructure expansion projects. This role requires strong technical expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing systems, commissioning and qualification practices, project management, and engineering problem‑solving, with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams and deliver sustainable business results.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a combination of project leadership, engineering excellence, and hands‑on technical capability to enhance manufacturing performance, improve equipment reliability, maintain regulatory compliance, and support the organization’s long‑term growth objectives.

Your Profile

Project Management & Capital Execution

• Lead and manage CAPEX projects from concept through completion, including facility expansions, utility upgrades, equipment installations, manufacturing process improvements, and infrastructure enhancements.
• Develop project charters, business justifications, budgets, schedules, resource plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Monitor project progress, spending, and milestones to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders, contractors, OEMs, consultants, and suppliers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop detailed project plans and oversee implementation of equipment, process, and facility upgrades.

Equipment Commissioning, Qualification & Validation

• Lead and coordinate equipment commissioning, qualification, and validation activities in accordance with GMP and validation lifecycle requirements.
• Develop and review User Requirement Specifications (URS), Design Qualification (DQ), Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) protocols and reports.
• Support Computer System Validation (CSV) and Data Integrity initiatives where applicable.
• Coordinate and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) activities for new equipment and systems.
• Ensure qualification documentation is complete, accurate, and audit ready.

Engineering Support & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct engineering investigations and provide technical leadership in the resolution of deviations, non‑conformances, quality events, and CAPAs.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluate process performance, equipment reliability, and operational metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement engineering solutions that improve process robustness, product quality, safety, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Analyze equipment and process performance trends to proactively identify and address operational risks.

Technical Documentation & Compliance

• Develop, review, approve, and maintain engineering documentation including SOPs, maintenance procedures, calibration procedures, specifications, drawings, P&IDs, equipment files, and technical reports.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with GMP, FDA, EU, ISO, and internal quality system requirements.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, change control records, validation files, engineering drawings, and asset documentation.
• Support internal and external audits and regulatory inspections as a subject‑matter expert.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Validation, Maintenance, Supply Chain, EHS, and Regulatory Affairs to support business objectives.
• Facilitate communication among project teams and functional stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful project execution.
• Lead project meetings and present project status, risks, budgets, timelines, and technical recommendations to management.
• Mentor and train operators, technicians, and inspectors on equipment operation, troubleshooting, process controls, and inspection techniques.
• Provide technical support and engineering expertise to maintenance, operations, and project management teams.
• Participate in strategic planning activities related to facility capacity, manufacturing expansion, and technology implementation.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of engineering experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries.
• Minimum 2 years of direct experience in equipment commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV).
• Proven experience managing CAPEX projects involving manufacturing equipment, cleanroom facilities, utility systems, and process improvements.
• Demonstrated experience supporting GMP‑regulated manufacturing environments. Hands‑on experience with equipment installation, startup, troubleshooting, and qualification activities.
• Experience working in classified cleanroom environments.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and quality systems.
• Experience interacting with external vendors, contractors, and regulatory auditors preferred.

Target Salary Range: $125,000 - 135,000

Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job‑related reasons.

Your Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending & HSA Options
• Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• 401K

Founded in 1873 in Zofingen, Switzerland, Siegfried has grown into a global network of 16 sites across three continents. With a team of more than 4,200 highly skilled professionals, we take the innovations of our pharmaceutical customers to industrial scale and manufacture safe drugs for patients worldwide. As a fully integrated CDMO, Siegfried is one of the few organizations today that can carry out the development and manufacturing of APIs and finished dosage forms under one roof. This unique combination of know‑how and experience makes us the most trusted partner in the pharmaceutical industry.