Senior Director, Engineering and Materials Science
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
August 09, 2026
On-site
Boston, MA
Clinical Research and Development
General Summary:
Vertex is seeking a talented individual to join the Engineering and Materials Science department in Boston, MA. The successful candidate will be a productive, results-oriented leader who is able to lead a diverse team of engineers and scientists and contribute to the successful development and scale-up of drug substance and drug product candidates.
Key Duties And Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop a cross-functional team to define, develop, and demonstrate viable multi-step syntheses for robust manufacture of small-molecule or oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients across clinical development through commercialization/launch.
- Lead drug substance process development; drive multiple assets via laboratory development, modeling, drug supply preparation, and technology transfer to third-party manufacturing facilities.
- Collaborate with materials discovery, process chemistry, analytical development, and formulation to improve discovery/development and optimize drug substance properties and performance.
- Drive adoption of process modeling within the department.
- Potentially lead projects across pharmaceutical sciences.
- Promote innovation and industry best practices; mentor junior scientists.
- Influence departmental strategic direction.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively across an interdisciplinary team.
Knowledge And Skills:
- Experience leading engineers/scientists in pharmaceutical process development.
- Advanced knowledge of unit operations for small-molecule and/or oligonucleotide drug substance development (particle engineering, reaction kinetics/thermodynamics, transport fundamentals).
- Experience modeling complex physicochemical systems; data analysis; statistical design of experiments; QbD concepts; use of physical property and process modeling tools.
- Demonstrated process scale-up and regulatory dossier authoring.
- Process development and problem solving in a matrix environment.
- Strong communication skills.
Education And Experience:
- BS (+20 years), MS (+15 years), or PhD (+11 years) in Materials Science/Chemistry or closely related field, with relevant pharmaceutical materials development experience.
- 5 years experience managing a team.
Vertex is seeking a talented individual to join the Engineering and Materials Science department in Boston, MA. The successful candidate will be a productive, results-oriented leader who is able to lead a diverse team of engineers and scientists and contribute to the successful development and scale-up of drug substance and drug product candidates.
Key Duties And Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop a cross-functional team to define, develop, and demonstrate viable multi-step syntheses for robust manufacture of small-molecule or oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients across clinical development through commercialization/launch.
- Lead drug substance process development; drive multiple assets via laboratory development, modeling, drug supply preparation, and technology transfer to third-party manufacturing facilities.
- Collaborate with materials discovery, process chemistry, analytical development, and formulation to improve discovery/development and optimize drug substance properties and performance.
- Drive adoption of process modeling within the department.
- Potentially lead projects across pharmaceutical sciences.
- Promote innovation and industry best practices; mentor junior scientists.
- Influence departmental strategic direction.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively across an interdisciplinary team.
Knowledge And Skills:
- Experience leading engineers/scientists in pharmaceutical process development.
- Advanced knowledge of unit operations for small-molecule and/or oligonucleotide drug substance development (particle engineering, reaction kinetics/thermodynamics, transport fundamentals).
- Experience modeling complex physicochemical systems; data analysis; statistical design of experiments; QbD concepts; use of physical property and process modeling tools.
- Demonstrated process scale-up and regulatory dossier authoring.
- Process development and problem solving in a matrix environment.
- Strong communication skills.
Education And Experience:
- BS (+20 years), MS (+15 years), or PhD (+11 years) in Materials Science/Chemistry or closely related field, with relevant pharmaceutical materials development experience.
- 5 years experience managing a team.