Associate Director, Engineering (Oral Solid Dosage))

AOB Recruitment•Chantilly, VA

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Associate Director, Engineering to lead engineering and facility operations within an Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The role is responsible for equipment reliability, facility systems, utilities, capital projects, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with cGMP, safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will bring technical expertise in OSD manufacturing processes and extensive knowledge of facility engineering, including HVAC, clean utilities, building systems, and environmental controls. The role balances day-to-day operational reliability with long-term engineering strategy, working across manufacturing equipment, facility systems, utilities, compliance, capital projects, and continuous improvement while developing and leading a high-performing engineering organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
12 or more years of engineering experience within pharmaceutical OSD manufacturing.
Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and OSD processes.
Extensive experience with facility engineering, including HVAC, clean utilities, building systems, environmental controls, and critical manufacturing utilities.
Proven experience leading engineering and facility teams.
Strong understanding of cGMP, equipment qualification, validation, maintenance, and regulatory requirements.
Experience with preventive maintenance and calibration programs.
Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving skills.
Experience supporting capital projects, facility modifications, and equipment upgrades.
Strong understanding of safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Nice To Haves

Experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or reliability engineering programs.
Experience with automation and manufacturing technology modernization.
Experience managing large-scale engineering or facility improvement projects.
Experience working in highly regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage engineering teams supporting OSD manufacturing, packaging, utilities, and facility systems.
Provide technical direction for equipment troubleshooting, optimization, reliability, and process improvements.
Develop and execute long-term engineering strategies that support operational excellence and asset reliability.
Establish effective maintenance, reliability, and engineering practices across manufacturing and facility operations.
Oversee the installation, qualification, maintenance, and optimization of OSD manufacturing equipment, including granulators, fluid bed dryers, tablet presses, capsule fillers, coaters, blenders, and packaging lines.
Ensure equipment operates reliably and efficiently while minimizing downtime.
Lead root-cause investigations for equipment and process issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to address recurring issues.
Oversee preventive maintenance and calibration programs for manufacturing equipment.
Support equipment upgrades, modifications, and technology improvements.
Oversee the operation and maintenance of critical facility systems and utilities, including HVAC systems, cleanrooms, compressed air, chilled water, boilers, vacuum systems, building management systems, and other critical manufacturing utilities.
Ensure environmental controls meet cGMP requirements for temperature, humidity, pressure differentials, and air quality.
Manage facility maintenance programs, preventive maintenance schedules, and reliability initiatives.
Support facility expansions, renovations, and infrastructure upgrades.
Ensure facility systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently, and identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and facility performance.
Ensure engineering and facility operations comply with applicable cGMP, FDA, EU, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Support regulatory inspections, quality audits, and engineering-related assessments.
Maintain accurate engineering documentation and records.
Manage engineering change controls and support qualification and validation activities.
Ensure equipment and facility systems remain in a validated and compliant state.
Promote a strong safety culture across engineering and operations.
Conduct engineering and operational risk assessments, including FMEA and HAZOP where appropriate.
Implement engineering controls and mitigation strategies to reduce operational and process risks.
Ensure facility systems and engineering activities meet applicable safety and environmental requirements.
Lead initiatives to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and increase manufacturing efficiency.
Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and reliability engineering methodologies to engineering and manufacturing challenges.
Identify opportunities for automation, modernization, and process optimization.
Develop and implement strategies to improve asset performance and overall operational effectiveness.
Mentor and develop engineering and facility personnel, build technical capabilities and leadership skills, and foster a collaborative, accountable, high-performing team environment.
Establish clear performance expectations and promote continuous technical development.