Validation Lead

Novartis; Morrisville (NC); On-site; USD 126,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis in Morrisville, NC seeks a Validation Lead to shape the site’s validation program across process, cleaning, packaging and verification. You will own the Validation Master Plan and drive audits, investigations and data-driven improvements to support launches, tech transfers and regulatory readiness.

This leadership role requires a strong scientific background, extensive experience in pharmaceutical validation, and the ability to lead cross‑functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline specified in the job posting.
• 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing/quality roles.
• 5 years of experience executing process validation and leading validation projects.
• Proven track record leading process validation, cleaning validation, and ongoing verification.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems, statistics, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience authoring technical validation documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site validation strategy across process, cleaning, packaging, and ongoing verification.
• Own and maintain the Validation Master Plan.
• Establish, monitor, and improve validation performance metrics.
• Provide technical leadership for validations and risk assessments.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Analytical Science & Technology, and IT to define interfaces for equipment qualification / utilities qualification, system qualification, analytical method validation.
• Support product launches and technical transfers with robust validation approaches.
• Represent the site during audits, inspections, and validation governance.

Skills

Process validation

Cleaning validation

Ongoing process verification

Validation strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Quality systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Pharmacy/Engineering

PhD in Chemistry/Pharmacy/Engineering/Pharmaceutical Technology

Job description

Summary

Location: Morrisville, North Carolina

Join Novartis and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing at our growing Morrisville site. As the Validation Lead, you will drive the site’s validation strategy across process, cleaning, packaging, and ongoing verification activities, ensuring products are delivered with the highest standards of quality, compliance, and patient safety. This is a unique opportunity to build and influence validation programs from the ground up, partner with cross‑functional experts, and contribute directly to successful product launches, technical transfers, and regulatory readiness in a dynamic and innovative manufacturing environment.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the site validation strategy across process, cleaning, packaging, and ongoing process and cleaning verification activities.
• Own and maintain the Validation Master Plan, ensuring timely execution and inspection readiness.
• Establish, monitor, and improve validation performance metrics to support compliance and operational excellence.
• Provide technical leadership for validation risk assessments, investigations, and complex validation challenges.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Analytical Science & Technology, and IT to define the interfaces to equipment qualification / utilities qualification, system qualification, analytical method validation.
• Support product launches and technical transfers by defining robust validation approaches and delivering required data.
• Represent the site during audits, inspections, and validation governance activities while maintaining compliance standards.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 8 years of experience in manufacturing / manufacturing science and technology / technical development / quality in oral solid dosage pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• 5 years of experience executing process validation, including experience leading and managing validation projects.
• Proven expertise leading process validation, cleaning validation, and ongoing process verification programs.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems applied statistics, and global regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated success managing complex cross‑functional projects and authoring technical validation documentation.

Desirable Requirements

• PhD Chemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, or equivalent.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $126,000 and $234,000 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.

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

Benefits and Rewards

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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 & 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 [email protected] 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.