Site Engineering Head

Novartis Group Companies; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 176,000 - 328,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, life and disability benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Novartis AG's Durham site seeks a Site Engineering Head to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Engineering organization, including Gene Therapies, ADP and LMO expansions, and all clinical operations. You will ensure facilities, utilities, equipment and infrastructure are reliable, compliant, and ready to support current operations and future growth.

As a member of the Site Leadership Team, you will guide long-term capital strategies, develop talent, advance safety, quality and

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent required.
• 15+ years of engineering experience including investment projects and maintenance.
• Extensive leadership and large maintenance/major project management experience.
• Strong cost control, contract management, and financial acumen.
• In-depth knowledge of chemical/pharmaceutical processes and GMP/HSE/GxP.
• Excellent communication across executive and technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Durham Site Engineering organization, building capabilities and developing talent to meet current and future business needs.
• Develop and execute the site engineering strategy, aligning infrastructure, utilities, equipment, and technology with business priorities.
• Ensure reliable, compliant operation and lifecycle management of site facilities, utilities, equipment, maintenance, and calibration programs.
• Direct site capital planning and engineering investments, ensuring effective prioritization, execution, governance, and resource allocation.
• Support the identification and implementation of new technologies, equipment, AI and robotics.
• Partner across functions to advance safety, quality, operational performance, asset reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide engineering leadership for production, testing, product launches, technical services, and evolving site requirements.
• Strengthen external partnerships and vendor performance while ensuring engineering activities meet applicable quality and compliance expectations.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project management

Communication skills

HSE / GxP knowledge

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Job Description Summary

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Help shape the engineering future of our Durham site. As Site Engineering Head, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the site's Engineering organization, including Novartis Gene Therapies, our ADP and LMO expansions and all clinical operations. You will ensure our facilities, utilities, equipment, and infrastructure are reliable, compliant, and ready to support both today's operations and future growth. You will lead and develop a broad engineering organization, guide long-term site and capital strategies, and partner across the business to strengthen safety, quality, operational performance, and asset lifecycle management. As a member of the Site Leadership Team, you will have the opportunity to influence major investment decisions, advance new technologies, and build the engineering capabilities needed to enable production, testing, product launches, and continued site growth.

#LI-Onsite

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Durham Site Engineering organization, building capabilities and developing talent to meet current and future business needs.
• Develop and execute the site engineering strategy, aligning infrastructure, utilities, equipment, and technology with business priorities.
• Ensure reliable, compliant operation and lifecycle management of site facilities, utilities, equipment, maintenance, and calibration programs.
• Direct site capital planning and engineering investments, ensuring effective prioritization, execution, governance, and resource allocation.
• Support the identification and implementation of new technologies, equipment, AI and robotics.
• Partner across functions to advance safety, quality, operational performance, asset reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide engineering leadership for production, testing, product launches, technical services, and evolving site requirements.
• Strengthen external partnerships and vendor performance while ensuring engineering activities meet applicable quality and compliance expectations.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in engineering or equivalent.
• 15 years of engineering experience, including experience in investment projects and maintenance.
• Broad leadership experience, including successful project management on major investment projects and/or a large maintenance organization.
• Excellent project management skills, including contract management, project appraisal, and financial knowledge.
• In-depth knowledge of chemical and/or pharmaceutical processes and equipment, broad interdisciplinary knowledge, and strong HSE and GxP/QA knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills across executive and technical audiences.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $176,400 and $327,600 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$176,400.00 - $327,600.00

Skills Desired

Data Analytics and Digital (Inactive), Decision Making, Engineering Operations Management (Inactive), GDP Knowledge (Inactive), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HSE Knowledge (Inactive), Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Process (Production) (Inactive), Operational Excellence, Problem Solving, Project Management, Quality Compliance, Resilience and Risk Management (Inactive), Resource Planning and Forecasting (Inactive), Stakeholder Management, Strategic Thinking, Vendor Management