Senior Process Engineer - Viral Vector

Lonza; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile culture

Inclusive workplace

Performance-based compensation

Site-based benefits

Job summary

Lonza Houston Site is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to lead support for site operations, ensuring equipment and processes meet regulated manufacturing standards. You will provide technical engineering support for new equipment introductions and collaborate across teams to drive reliability and continuous improvement.

The role requires a bachelor degree in a related field and 5–10 years in pharmaceutical/biotech manufacturing, with strong troubleshooting, leadership, and documentation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical or related fields.
• 5–10 years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop URSs, technical specs, standards, drawings, SOPs, and documentation while supporting validation, audits, and continuous improvement.
• Deep understanding of GEP/cGMP/GDP and how they relate to maintenance and documentation.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, databases and word processing software.
• Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively.
• Self-motivated, team player.
• Deep understanding of RCM and TPM.
• Understanding of process improvement and reliability engineering principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the support to site operations by troubleshooting equipment and process issues.
• Collaborate with Reliability engineer to improve equipment reliability and maintenance programs.
• Provide engineering support to production in identifying new equipment for process requirements.
• Monitor processes and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead failure analysis exercises and support corrective action implementation.
• Own and drive change controls, deviations, and validation activities.
• Work with cross-functional teams to improve performance.
• Develop URSs, technical specifications, standards, drawings, SOPs, and documentation while supporting validation, audits, and continuous improvement efforts.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Analytical

Problem-solving

Leadership

Documentation

Communication

RCM

TPM

Process improvement

Reliability engineering

Spreadsheets/Databases/Word

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial/Electrical or related fields

Job description

The actual location of this job is in Houston, TX, USA. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.

This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What you will get:

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.
• An inclusive and ethical workplace.
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance.
• A variety of benefits dependent on role and location.

The Senior Process Engineer is responsible for leading the support tosite operations by ensuring that equipment and related processes are designed and operating to meet the requirements of a regulated manufacturing site. This role is also responsible for providing technical engineering support to help ensure successful new equipment and process introductions to the Lonza Houston Site.

What you will do:

• Lead the support to manufacturing by troubleshooting equipment and process issues
• Collaborate with Reliability engineer to improve equipment reliability and support maintenance programs.
• Provide engineering support to production in the identification of new equipment suited to process requirements.
• Monitor processes and lead the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead failure analysis exercises and support corrective action implementation.
• Own and drive change controls, deviations, and validation activities
• Work with cross-functional teams to improve performance
• Develop URSs, technical specifications, standards, drawings, SOPs, and documentation while supporting validation, audits, and continuous improvement efforts.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical or related fields
• 5-10 Years of experience in Pharmaceutical or Biotechnology Manufacturing
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to improve processes, equipment performance, and automation functionality.
• Ability to develop URSs, technical specifications, standards, drawings, SOPs, and documentation while supporting validation, audits, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Must have a deep understanding of the principles of GEP/cGMP/GDP and how they are related to maintenance and documentation.
• Must be able to work with minimum supervision
• Must have excellent leadership skills
• Able to record information accurately and write official documents.
• Able to perform procedures according to written guidelines and recognize a deviation from accepted practice.
• Able to use spreadsheets, databases and word processing software.
• Able to effectively communicate with peers and supervisors verbally and in writing.
• Able to multi-task and displays the effective use of time in managing projects.
• Self-motivated, works well independently and as a team player.
• Must have a deep understanding RCM and Total Productive Maintenance(TPM)
• Understanding of process improvement and reliability engineering principles, methodologies and tools

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 of 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 value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.