Site Engineering Head/Durham, NC

Job Description Summary

#LI-Onsite

This role is located onsite in Durham, NC.

As Site Engineering Head, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping the future of our Durham site. This is your opportunity to lead a high-performing team and drive strategic engineering initiatives that directly impact production success, compliance, and innovation. From lifecycle management to capital investments, your leadership will ensure our facilities and systems are not only operationally excellent but also aligned with global standards and future-ready. If you are dedicated to engineering excellence, skilled in people leadership, and aspire to make a significant impact in a dynamic, science-driven environment—this is your opportunity.

 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead site-wide engineering, maintenance, and facility strategies to support production and operational excellence
• Influences and participates in the site leadership team, establishing effective cross-functional leadership relationships and presence
• Oversee lifecycle management of equipment, utilities, and facilities from selection to compliant operation
• Develop and maintain a 5-year Master Plan and annual capital investment roadmap
• Execute capital and operational projects on time and within budget to support site goals
• Partner with ITOT (Information Technology & Operational Technology) to resolve automation issues and support engineering initiatives
• Ensure audit readiness and compliance with all Quality and EHS regulations
• Manage engineering budgets, resources, and performance metrics effectively
• Drive continuous improvement using Operational Excellence and best practice frameworks
• Build and lead a high-performing team of internal and contract engineering professionals

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline
• Minimum 15 years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical environment
• Proven leadership in building and guiding high-performing technical teams
• Strong knowledge of validation, automation, and manufacturing systems and technologies
• Demonstrated ability to manage capital and operational budgets effectively
• Experience representing engineering systems in regulatory audits and inspections
• Working knowledge of facility and utility systems, including process controls and engineering practices
• Understanding of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards and compliance expectations
• 5-10% travel

Desirable Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related field preferred
• Familiarity with biotechnology platforms, aseptic processing, and current pharmaceutical technology trends preferred

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $132,300 and $245,700 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.

Company will not sponsor visas for this position. 

 

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 and 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 us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com 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.

 

Salary Range

$132,300.00 - $245,700.00

 

Skills Desired

Automation, Capital Expenditure, Change Management, Classification Systems, Critical Thinking, Efficiency, Flexibility, General Hse Knowledge  , Including Gdp, Knowledge Of Gmp, Manufacturing Process (Production), Operations, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Support Services