Associate Director – Process Engineering

Role Summary

Associate Director of Process Engineering responsible for managing the Process Engineering staff, implementing capital projects, and providing technical support at the Thousand Oaks Manufacturing Plant. Reports to the Head of Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate engineering strategies to support process, capital, and operational goals, ensuring successful project execution and daily operational reliability.
• Provide leadership across all process engineering disciplines in defining project requirements, scope, design (conceptual through detailed), timelines, budgets, and resource plans.
• Drive cost- and time-efficient, innovative design solutions that meet user, safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee and review feasibility studies, design packages, and cost/schedule estimates to ensure technical soundness, accuracy, and alignment with site strategy.
• Lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects from concept through execution, managing internal teams, contractors, and vendors to achieve schedule, cost, and performance objectives.
• Champion Good Engineering Practices (GEP) and regulatory compliance by integrating cGMPs, SOPs, and company procedures into all design and project activities; represent Process Engineering during audits.
• Collaborate with global engineering, network sites, and external partners to share best practices, solve complex process and equipment challenges, and drive continuous innovation.
• Assess and implement improvements that enhance productivity, capacity, reliability, and compliance across the Process Engineering function.
• Provide technical leadership and risk assessments related to process and equipment redundancy, system reliability, and operational performance.
• Develop and mentor engineering talent, fostering technical expertise, leadership skills, and core competencies across process SMEs and future leaders.
• Stay current with industry trends and technology benchmarks to ensure site competitiveness and alignment with best-in-class standards.
• Support procurement strategy and vendor management, including scope definition, negotiations, and performance oversight for architecture/engineering firms and contractors.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor's degree in engineering; preferably Chemical/Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum of 12 years of experience with process engineering, design, process improvement and projects
• Minimum of 4 years of leadership experience
• In-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical or food industry process equipment relevant to process equipment, and general working GMP knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and utilities

Skills

• Leadership and people development
• Project management and strategic planning
• Regulatory compliance and Good Engineering Practices
• Process engineering design and optimization
• Vendor management and cross-functional collaboration

Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering; preferably Chemical/Mechanical Engineering