Process Engineer III

Summary

#LI-Onsite

Location: Durham, NC

Relocation Support: This role is based in Durham, NC. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

As a Process Engineer III supporting our Technical Research & Development (TRD) organization, you’ll own the engineering and validation lifecycle for critical process manufacturing equipment, facilities, and utilities—shaping qualification strategy, leading change control, and driving investigations that strengthen quality and prevent recurrence. You’ll partner closely with Operations and Manufacturing Sciences to translate current and future processes into fit‑for‑purpose facility and equipment requirements, while mentoring other engineers and helping advance technology and equipment platforms that keep the site ready for what’s next.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide engineering, validation, and maintenance support to process manufacturing equipment, facilities, and utilities, including bioreactors, tangential flow filtration, chromatography, filling equipment, incubators, freezers, biosafety cabinets, bench‑top instruments, and facility or utility systems.
• Define, develop, and continuously improve equipment qualification and validation strategies to ensure sustained compliance across the full equipment lifecycle.
• Own and manage change control activities for process equipment, ensuring changes are assessed, implemented, and documented to maintain validated state.
• Lead complex equipment and process deviation investigations, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence.
• Act as a subject matter expert for process equipment, facilities, and utilities during regulatory inspections and internal audits, including preparation and response to observations.
• Design and implement equipment reliability and maintenance strategies that balance compliance, operational effectiveness, and cost efficiency.
• Author and review equipment specifications and engineering documentation, including User Requirements, Functional Specifications, and Detailed Design Specifications.
• Independently lead or provide technical leadership on capital projects, including equipment selection, design review, installation, commissioning, and qualification.
• Collaborate closely with Operations and Manufacturing Sciences to assess equipment capability, facility fit, and readiness for new product introductions.
• Evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies and equipment platforms and contribute to long‑term facility and equipment roadmaps aligned with strategic plans.

Essential Requirements:

• B.S. degree in Chemical, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field, with 5 years' work experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical based GMP manufacturing operations, or equivalent work experience (9 years) in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical based GMP manufacturing operations in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrated experience providing engineering support for complex process equipment, facilities, and utilities within highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• In‑depth working knowledge of health authority regulations, current Good Manufacturing Practice systems, and validation expectations.
• Proven ability to lead technical investigations, manage change control, and develop corrective and preventive actions in response to deviations.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, with experience authoring qualification, validation, and engineering documentation.
• Experience leading or contributing to capital projects, including equipment specification, design review, installation, commissioning, and qualification.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing Sciences in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience supporting Technical Research and Development, clinical, or early‑phase manufacturing operations within pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical environments.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring engineers or leading small cross‑functional technical teams across manufacturing or development sites.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $98,700.00 - $183,300.00 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.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

Company will not sponsor visas for this position.

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?

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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 +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.