Operational Excellence Engineer

More than one million people in the United States today are fighting blood cancer. While a traditional allogeneic stem cell transplant has been the best hope for many, the transplant itself can prove fatal or lead to serious conditions, such as graft vs. host disease. Orca Bio is a late-stage biotechnology company redefining the transplant process by developing next-generation cell therapies with the goal of providing significantly better survival rates with dramatically fewer risks. With our purified, high-precision investigational cell therapies we hope to not only replace patients' blood and immune systems with healthy ones, but also restore their lives.

We have built a state-of-the-art, 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Sacramento, CA (7910 Metro Air Pkwy) to ensure the consistent and reliable delivery of our high-precision cell therapy products. This site is essential to advancing our clinical pipeline and supporting future commercial availability of our life-saving therapies.

Summary of Role: 

We are looking for a results-driven and detail-oriented Operational Excellence Engineer to join our team, focusing on manufacturing optimization and the development of metrics to drive operational improvements. This role will be pivotal in enhancing production efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality standards through the use of data-driven decision-making and process optimization. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing processes, operational excellence methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma), and the ability to implement key performance metrics that drive continuous improvement.  

• Manufacturing Process Optimization: Lead and implement continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing manufacturing processes. Use Lean, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence tools to streamline production workflows, reduce waste, and increase overall efficiency. 
• Metrics Development & Monitoring: Define, implement, and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) that track the efficiency, quality, and effectiveness of manufacturing operations. Develop dashboards and reporting tools to ensure real-time visibility into process performance. 
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Collect and analyze data related to production metrics, production performance, cycle times, etc. Identify trends and areas of improvement and use data to drive decision-making for process enhancements. 
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to understand challenges, identify bottlenecks, and optimize processes across departments. Facilitate communication between teams to ensure alignment on improvement initiatives. 
• Project Management: Lead projects aimed at improving manufacturing processes and performance. Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful completion. 
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all manufacturing optimization activities comply with industry standards and regulations (e.g., GMP, ISO). Work closely with the quality team to ensure that improvements maintain or enhance product quality and safety. 
• Continuous Improvement Culture: Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization, encouraging employees to contribute ideas, solve problems, and implement solutions that drive operational excellence. 

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Biotechnology, Engineering, Manufacturing or Operations Management; advanced degree preferred. 
• 3-5 years of experience in manufacturing or operations optimization, preferably in a regulated environment (e.g., pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or biotechnology). 
• Required: Lean certification (minimally green belt certified) – Including demonstrated experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence methodologies to manufacturing operations. 
• Experience with data analysis, process optimization, and implementation of KPIs and performance metrics.  
• Understanding of cell therapy manufacturing processes, regulatory requirements (GxP, GMP, FDA, EMA), or related industry standards. 
• Proficient in data analysis tools (Excel, Minitab, etc.), statistical process control (SPC), and process modeling techniques.  
• Strong understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies, certification a plus  
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.  
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data and findings to leadership and cross-functional teams. 

The anticipated annual salary range for this job is based on prior experience in the role/industry, education, location, internal equity, and other job-related factors as permitted by law. For remote-based positions, this range may vary based on your local market. You will also be eligible to receive pre-IPO equity, in addition to competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, flexible PTO, 401(k) plan, life and accidental death and disability coverage, and parental leave benefits. Other perks include free daily lunches and snacks at our on-site locations.

Who we are

We are driven by a passion for science and compassion for patients. We act with urgency to ensure our treatments are one day accessible to all who need them.

We live by our core values of passion, courage, and integrity. Excellence in our work means the chance to unlock a better quality of life for our patients, and with that comes tremendous responsibility.

We innovate on a path that hasn’t been paved. We embrace an entrepreneurial spirit and take calculated risks to achieve our mission. We aren’t afraid to ask “why not” and challenge the status quo.

We maintain a start-up culture of camaraderie and leadership by example, regardless of title.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and recognize that celebrating our differences creates stronger, lasting solutions that better serve our team, our patients and their healthcare providers.

Notice to staffing firms

Orca Bio does not accept resumes from staffing agencies with which we do not have a written agreement and specific engagement for a particular opening. Our employment activities, inquiries and offers are managed through our HR/Talent team, and all candidates are presented through this channel only. We do not accept unsolicited resumes, and we rarely outsource recruitment.