Senior Process Engineer, Cell Therapy Process Development

AstraZeneca plc; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement programs

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to advance late-stage cell therapy process development and characterization, including PPQ readiness and technology transfer to manufacturing sites.

You will work on unit operations such as T-cell enrichment, activation, transduction, washes, and harvest using semi-automated or automated equipment, with a focus on automation, QbD, and AI-enabled data analysis.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent with multi-year industry experience in biotech.
• Experience with GMP operations and late-stage/commercial readiness.
• Strong data analysis and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and support autologous or allogenic cell therapy process optimization and robustness studies.
• Drive closed-system operations and automation for scalability and compliance.
• Plan and execute DOE, multivariate studies, and scale-up assessments per QbD/ICH.
• Prepare technical reports and present outcomes to cross-functional teams.
• Support control strategies, batch records, deviations, and data trending.
• Apply AI-enabled tools to accelerate data review and process understanding.
• Contribute to PPQ planning, readiness, and manufacturing transfer activities.

Skills

Cell isolation

Activation

Transduction

Expansion

Harvest

Formulation

GMP operations

Data analysis

AI tools & digital solutions

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Biochemical/biotechnology related field

M.S. in related field (with 5+ years) or B.S. with 7+ years industry experience

Tools

CliniMACS Prodigy

Lovo

G-Rex

Wave bioreactors

JMP

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Process Engineer to support cell therapy process characterization and commercialization activities. In this role, you will play critical role in advancing late-stage cell therapy process development, process characterization, PPQ readiness, BLA-enabling studies, and technology transfer to different manufacturing sites.This position focuses specifically on cell therapy unit operations, including T-cell enrichment, activation, transduction, washes and harvest either semi-automated or automated equipment.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, hands-on experience with cell therapy unit operations, and demonstrates success in supporting clinical and commercial readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Process development and characterization

• Design, execute, and support autologous or allogenic cell therapy process optimization and robustness studies.
• Drive implementation of closed-system operations and automation strategies to support scalability and compliance.
• Plan and execute process characterization studies (DOE, multivariate studies, scale-down models, and scale-up assessments) in alignment with QbD and ICH guidelines.
• Perform risk assessment, data analysis, write technical reports, and present outcome of the studies to cross-functional teams and governance forums.
• Support development and refinement of control strategies for cell therapy processes, including raw materials, and cell therapy process parameters.
• Conduct batch record review, deviation assessment, and data trending to ensure robustness of cell therapy manufacturing processes.
• Apply AI-enabled tools and digital analytics to accelerate data review, trend analysis, batch record evaluation, and process understanding.

PPQ, Tech Transfer & Manufacturing Readiness

• Contribute to PPQ planning, readiness, execution, and documentation for cell therapy processes.
• Support technology transfer of cell therapy processes to internal manufacturing sites including make-a-batch assessments and drafting manufacturing batch record.
• Provide on-the-floor technical support during scale-up, engineering runs, PPQ batches, and commercial manufacturing campaigns (including off-shift support when required).
• Support raw material risk assessments, comparability studies, and process risk evaluations across facilities and platforms.

Regulatory Support

• Contribute to authoring and reviewing CMC documentation, including cell therapy process descriptions, characterization summaries, PPQ protocols and reports, and control strategy elements.
• Support preparation of BLA/MAA submissions and responses to regulatory questions related to cell therapy manufacturing.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with analytical sciences, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing teams to ensure end-to-end process alignment.
• Represent cell therapy characterization activities in technical meetings, reviews, and governance discussions.
• Support lifecycle management, post-approval changes, and continuous improvement initiatives for cell therapy processes.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field with 2+ years of industry experience; OR M.S. with 5+ years; OR B.S. with 7+ years of hands-on industry experience.
• Strong technical expertise in key cell therapy unit operations (e.g., cell isolation, activation, transduction, expansion, harvest, formulation, cryopreservation).
• Demonstrated experience with GMP operations and late-stage / commercial readiness.
• Proven ability to analyze complex datasets, develop sound recommendations, and communicate clearly across levels
• Experience with late-stage development, process characterization, and PPQ principles for cell therapy processes.
• Demonstrated proficiency in applying AI tools and digital solutions to data analysis, documentation, and workflow automation.
• Experience working in GMP environments, including batch record execution or review, deviations, and investigations.
• Strong technical writing, data analysis, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with viral vector handling (Lentivirus, AAV) in manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with automation platforms (e.g., CliniMACS Prodigy, Lovo, G-Rex, Wave bioreactors).
• Experience implementing closed, automated, or high-throughput systems.
• Experience designing and executing DOE and multivariate data analysis for cell therapy processes.
• Experience with JMP or similar statistical analysis tools.
• Experience contributing to BLA/MAA submissions or regulatory interactions.
• Knowledge of control strategy development and risk assessment tools (e.g., FMEA).
• Formal training or demonstrated application of digitalization, automation, or AI-enabled tools in bioprocess development.

Key Competencies

• Strong experimental design and execution skills.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and collaboration.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, late-stage development environments.
• Scientific curiosity, ownership mindset, and willingness to support manufacturing operations.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $96K to $144K. Our positions offer eligibility for multiple incentives an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

# Cell Therapy

Date Posted

07-Oct-2026

Closing Date

22-Oct-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.