Senior Process Engineer
6 - 10 years
Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area
Full-time
Onsite
1 month ago
About the role
Company Description
Located in Bend, Oregon, Serán Bioscience is an industry-leading drug development partner that provides a comprehensive selection of development and clinical manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. We deliver science and data-driven results by leveraging state-of-the-art formulation and dosage form technologies and advanced analytical and materials science methodologies to identify optimum and scalable solutions for our client’s medicines.
Position requires relocation to Bend, Oregon. Up to $10,000 in relocation assistance is available.
Role Description
Serán BioScience is seeking a Process Engineer to play a critical role in facility start-up, commissioning of process systems, and operational readiness for our new commercial manufacturing operations. This position will ensure that all systems, equipment, and workflows are designed, installed, and commissioned to meet cGMP standards and support efficient, compliant production. Beyond the initial launch phase, this individual will be instrumental in sustaining manufacturing operations by driving long-term operational excellence. This includes leading continuous improvement (CI) projects to ensure that all systems, equipment, and workflows remain efficient, compliant with cGMP standards, and capable of meeting evolving production demands.
Qualifications
Skills and Abilities
Facility & Process System Start-Up
Process Design & Optimization
Operational Readiness
Continuous Improvement
Project Management
Education
Required
Preferred
Core Competencies
Located in Bend, Oregon, Serán Bioscience is an industry-leading drug development partner that provides a comprehensive selection of development and clinical manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. We deliver science and data-driven results by leveraging state-of-the-art formulation and dosage form technologies and advanced analytical and materials science methodologies to identify optimum and scalable solutions for our client’s medicines.
Position requires relocation to Bend, Oregon. Up to $10,000 in relocation assistance is available.
Role Description
Serán BioScience is seeking a Process Engineer to play a critical role in facility start-up, commissioning of process systems, and operational readiness for our new commercial manufacturing operations. This position will ensure that all systems, equipment, and workflows are designed, installed, and commissioned to meet cGMP standards and support efficient, compliant production. Beyond the initial launch phase, this individual will be instrumental in sustaining manufacturing operations by driving long-term operational excellence. This includes leading continuous improvement (CI) projects to ensure that all systems, equipment, and workflows remain efficient, compliant with cGMP standards, and capable of meeting evolving production demands.
Qualifications
- Strong skills in Process Design and Process Engineering
- Expertise in Process Control and optimization
- Proficient in Chemical Engineering principles and applications
- Well-developed Analytical Skills to evaluate and improve processes
- Experience in compliance with safety standards and quality assurance protocols
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field
- Strong organizational and problem-solving capabilities
- Professional engineering license or certification is a plus
Skills and Abilities
Facility & Process System Start-Up
- Lead design and engineering activities associated with process equipment for new installations and/or continuous improvements
- Lead engineering activities for facility process systems through design, installation, and commissioning, including CIP, purified water, solvent distribution, and compressed gases
- Oversee process equipment installation, commissioning, and qualification (URS, FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Coordinate with vendors and contractors to ensure timely and compliant start-up of manufacturing systems
- Develop and execute commissioning plans, risk assessments, and readiness checklists
Process Design & Optimization
- Design and refine commercial-scale manufacturing processes for oral solid dosage forms and enabling technologies
- Perform capacity analysis, cycle time studies, and throughput modeling to ensure production efficiency
- Implement Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and improve process reliability
- Conduct formal risk assessments for existing process system to proactively mitigate quality and safety risks
Operational Readiness
- Drive readiness activities for commercial launch, including supporting process validation and GMP documentation
- Partner with Validation, QA, and Manufacturing to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
- Support tech transfer from development to commercial scale
- Collaborate with the Facilities and Maintenance teams to establish preventive and predictive maintenance schedules for process systems
- Draft and review standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the operation, cleaning, and troubleshooting of new process systems
Continuous Improvement
- Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions
- Drive cost reduction initiatives and efficiency improvements without compromising quality
- Participate in deviation investigations and CAPA implementation
- Serve as the primary technical process system owner to ensure stable and robust manufacturing
Project Management
- Contribute to project timelines, resource planning, and budget adherence
- Facilitate cross-functional project meetings and provide regular status updates to senior leadership
- Provide engineering input during client audits and regulatory inspections
- Proactively identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies
Education
Required
- BS/MS in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
- 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, process engineering, or industrial engineering
- Hands-on experience with facility start-up, commissioning, and equipment qualification
- Strong knowledge of cGMP requirements and commercial manufacturing operations
- Proficiency in process modeling, workflow analysis, and Lean/Six Sigma tools
- Excellent communication and documentation skills
Preferred
- Experience with oral solid dosage forms and enabling technologies (e.g., spray drying, blending, granulation, tableting, encapsulation, & tablet coating)
- Familiarity with facility design for regulated environments
- Knowledge of ERP/MES systems and digital manufacturing tools
- Project engineering experience in a regulated industry
Core Competencies
- Analytical problem-solving and data-driven decision-making
- Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Continuous improvement mindset
Skills
Biotechnology