Staff Engineer, Cell Culture Process Development

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. in Lexington, MA seeks a Staff Engineer, Process Development to advance its cell culture platform through hands-on development and data‑driven approaches. The role blends experimental work with modeling to boost performance, scalability, and robustness of upstream processes.

You will design and execute studies, communicate results, and collaborate with global teams. A PhD or advanced degree with relevant industry experience, plus strong cGMP knowledge, is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, or related with relevant industrial experience.
• Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in cell culture process development within a biopharmaceutical CMC environment.
• Strong understanding of cell culture media development, cellular metabolism, and upstream bioprocessing fundamentals.
• Demonstrated interest in data analytics, process modeling, and data-driven process optimization.
• Experience designing, executing, and interpreting laboratory studies using bioreactor systems.
• Excellent scientific communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
• Working knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
• Experience in metabolomics and systems-level process development.
• Experience developing mechanistic, hybrid, or data-driven models for bioprocess development.
• Familiarity with process automation, digital tools, data historians, and advanced analytics platforms.
• Experience supporting clinical development programs and technology transfer activities.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and interpret cell culture process development experiments.
• Generate and communicate data-driven conclusions and technical recommendations.
• Author study plans, technical reports, presentations, and development documentation.
• Lead and contribute to cross-functional project teams and global initiatives.
• Collaborate with program support teams and modeling experts to deliver project objectives.
• Serve as a technical resource, mentor, and trainer for colleagues.

Skills

Data analytics

Team leadership

Scientific communication

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Chemical/Biochemical/Bioengineering or related

MS with 6+ years of industry experience

BS with 8+ years of industry experience

Tools

Bioreactor systems

Process analytics software

Automation & data historians

Job description

Job Description

About the Role

The Staff Engineer, Process Development will play a key role in advancing BPD's platform development roadmap through technology-driven upstream process development. This position combines hands‑on cell culture process development with data‑driven approaches to enhance process understanding, performance, and scalability. The successful candidate will leverage expertise in cell culture, media development, cellular metabolism, and process analytics while collaborating closely with upstream program support teams and modeling experts to deliver innovative solutions for biotherapeutic development.

This role is ideal for a scientifically curious and collaborative professional who is passionate about integrating emerging technologies, advanced analytics, and systems‑level thinking into next‑generation cell culture platform development.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and interpret cell culture process development experiments.
• Generate and communicate data‑driven conclusions and technical recommendations.
• Author study plans, technical reports, presentations, and development documentation.
• Lead and contribute to cross‑functional project teams and global initiatives.
• Collaborate with program support teams and modeling experts to deliver project objectives.
• Serve as a technical resource, mentor, and trainer for colleagues.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, analytical tools, and digital solutions.
• Drive innovation and technical decision‑making to improve process performance and platform capabilities.
• Monitor industry trends and incorporate scientific advances into development strategies.
• Foster a collaborative and knowledge‑sharing culture across the organization.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline with relevant industrial experience; or:
  • Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant industry experience; or
  • Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in cell culture process development within a biopharmaceutical CMC environment.
• Strong understanding of cell culture media development, cellular metabolism, and upstream bioprocessing fundamentals.
• Demonstrated interest in data analytics, process modeling, and data‑driven process optimization.
• Experience designing, executing, and interpreting laboratory studies using bioreactor systems.
• Excellent scientific communication, problem‑solving, and collaboration skills.
• Working knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

Preferred

• Experience in metabolomics and systems‑level process development.
• Experience developing mechanistic, hybrid, or data‑driven models for bioprocess development.
• Familiarity with process automation, digital tools, data historians, and advanced analytics platforms.
• Experience supporting clinical development programs and technology transfer activities.

What You'll Bring

• A passion for technology‑enabled innovation in upstream bioprocess development.
• A data scientist mindset with the ability to extract insights from complex experimental datasets.
• Strong teamwork and leadership capabilities in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment.
• The ability to translate scientific findings into actionable process development strategies that improve robustness, scalability, and productivity.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location:

Lexington, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$116,000.00 - $182,270.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

For information about our benefits, please click here.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations

Lexington, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

YesIt is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.