Project Engineer – PMO (GMP & non-GMP)

Summary of Role:

The Project Engineer – PMO provides advanced technical leadership and engineering governance for capital, infrastructure, and facility projects across AstraZeneca’s U.S. R&D network, including GMP and non-GMP environments. This role serves as strong technical support within the PMO structure, ensuring engineering excellence, regulatory compliance, lifecycle reliability, and alignment with AstraZeneca engineering standards. The Project Engineer partners closely with Project Managers and multi-functional partners to ensure projects are technically sound, risk-mitigated, and balanced from build through handover and operational integration.  

Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Engineering Governance 

• Serve as technical lead across project lifecycle (concept through commissioning and turnover). 

• Evaluate infrastructure capacity, technical constraints, and constructability within active operational environments. 

• Lead development and review of Basis of Design (BOD), technical specifications, design assumptions, and engineering standards. 

• Ensure all engineering work you're doing align with AstraZeneca standards, applicable building codes, cGMP requirements, and SHE policies. 

• Provide / Work with domain expertise (SME) in HVAC, critical utilities (WFI, RO, steam), process systems, electrical distribution, and/or lab infrastructure. 

• Lead constructability reviews and value engineering assessments to optimize performance, cost, and long-term reliability. 

Project Delivery Support 

• Partner with Project Managers to define technical scope, risk profile, and execution strategy. 

• Be responsible for contractor technical performance and ensure consistency to develop intent. 

• Provide technical oversight during installation, startup, commissioning, and qualification. 

• Review and approve engineering submittals, RFIs, and design changes. 

• Contribute to project risk registers, change control documentation, and deviation investigations. 

Commissioning, Qualification & Turnover 

• Develop and oversee commissioning strategies and plans to ensure systems meet safety, performance, and operational requirements.

• Align commissioning plans with qualification and validation requirements for GMP projects. 

• Oversee system functional testing, documentation integrity, and turnover package completeness. 

• Support IQ/OQ/PQ documentation and validation readiness activities. 

• Ensure seamless handover to Facilities & Engineering Operations with full documentation and asset data integration. 

Digital & Asset Integration 

• Ensure asset data integration into CMMS systems. 

• Leverage digital tools and asset data to improve lifecycle performance and reliability outcomes. 

• Support development of predictive and reliability-based engineering strategies. 

Continuous Improvement & Standards 

• Lead development and continuous refinement of PMO engineering standards and templates. 

• Identify sustainability opportunities (energy, water, carbon reduction). 

• Contribute to long-range capital planning and infrastructure master planning. 

GMP-Specific Responsibilities 

• Provide senior-level technical oversight within GMP manufacturing, QC, and analytical environments. 

• Ensure compliance with FDA, EMA, Health Canada, and internal quality standards. 

• Support audit readiness and inspection response related to engineered systems. 

• Lead technical investigations for deviations related to facility systems. 

Non-GMP-Specific Responsibilities 

• Lead engineering efforts in research labs, vivarium, pilot plants, and administrative facilities. 

• Drive infrastructure resilience, sustainability, and innovation initiatives. 

• Support flexible lab design and modern workplace engineering solutions. 

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related field). 

• PE license strongly preferred. 

• 4+ years of experience in pharmaceutical/biotech capital projects. 

• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams. 

• Strong understanding of GMP validation, commissioning, and change control processes. 

• Experience supporting large capital programs ($1M+ preferred). 

• Engineering Authority & Technical Depth 

• Regulatory & Quality Compliance 

• Risk-Based Decision Making 

• Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Lifecycle & Reliability Mindset 

• Strategic Infrastructure Thinking

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $86,816 to $133,224. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.  

Why AstraZeneca:

Here you will help turn a rich, complex pipeline into real treatments by uniting science, disciplined execution, and smart digital tools. You will collaborate with unexpected teams that challenge ideas and accelerate progress, learning alongside peers who value kindness as much as ambition. With investment in cutting-edge capabilities and a clear focus on speed, quality, and sustainability, your leadership will shorten the path from study start-up to submission and, ultimately, to patients who need our medicines.

Call to Action:

Step forward to lead the clinical programs that shape the next wave of medicines—send your CV today and help us deliver impact at speed!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.