Pilot Plant Technician

Curia • Springfield, MO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pilot Plant Technician is responsible for the safe and compliant manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates, and development materials within the Pilot Plant. The role performs manufacturing unit operations—including reactions, filtration, distillation, drying, milling, and material handling—in accordance with approved batch records, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), cGMP requirements, and applicable safety and environmental standards.

The technician works independently and as part of a cross-functional team to support Pilot Plant and Chemical Research and Development (CRD) activities. The position requires mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, accurate documentation, and the ability to safely operate and maintain manufacturing equipment while following established procedures. Work is normally scheduled in 12-hour shifts covering days or nights, including weekends and holidays, to support 24/7 production; overtime may be required.

The role is based in a manufacturing production area where conditions may include moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, extreme heat, wet or humid conditions, low levels of toxic or caustic chemicals, and outdoor weather. Noise is typically moderate. The position may occasionally require lifting or moving up to 55 pounds and requires medical qualification for assigned respiratory protection and PPE. Applicants must pass a background check and drug screen and may be required to pass Occupational Health Screening.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Strong reading, mathematical, and comprehension skills sufficient to accurately follow detailed manufacturing instructions, batch records, SOPs, safety documentation, and other controlled procedures.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to learn to operate manufacturing and process equipment.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of attention to detail and accurately document activities in accordance with cGMP and data integrity requirements.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and consistently comply with established procedures.
• Ability to successfully complete required safety, cGMP, equipment, process, and job-specific training.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while recognizing when escalation or additional technical support is required.
• Ability to work effectively on a team and communicate clearly with peers, supervisors, technical personnel, and cross-functional departments.
• Ability to meet the physical and work environment requirements of the position.
• Ability to become medically qualified to wear required respiratory protection and other PPE.
• Ability to become qualified to operate a forklift and other assigned powered industrial equipment.
• Must pass a background check and drug screen; may be required to pass Occupational Health Screening.
• Must be able to work 12-hour shifts covering days or nights, weekends and holidays, and overtime as required.
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced education, coursework, or technical training in manufacturing, chemistry, chemical processing, physical sciences, life sciences, or a related field.
• Previous experience in pharmaceutical, chemical, manufacturing, Pilot Plant, or other industrial processing environments.
• Previous experience working in a cGMP-regulated environment.
• Experience operating chemical processing or manufacturing equipment such as reactors, filtration systems, distillation equipment, dryers, mills, pumps, or material transfer systems.
• Experience reading and executing batch records, SOPs, technical instructions, or other controlled manufacturing documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical or processing issues.
• Experience collaborating with technical, engineering, maintenance, quality, or research and development teams.

Responsibilities

• Safely perform manufacturing and Pilot Plant operations in accordance with approved batch records, SOPs, special instructions, cGMP, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Set up, operate, monitor, and shut down Pilot Plant equipment and systems for reactions, filtration, distillation, drying, milling, and material transfer.
• Monitor process conditions and document observations, operating parameters, activities, and results in accordance with procedures and data integrity requirements.
• Clean, inspect, and verify equipment, vessels, and processing areas according to established procedures and cleaning protocols.
• Maintain process flow and prioritize assigned work with supervisory or technical oversight.
• Identify and communicate process or equipment concerns and assist with troubleshooting in collaboration with relevant technical and support functions.
• Work independently on Pilot Plant and CRD projects under the technical direction of a CRD Chemist, Engineer, or designated technical lead, and communicate project progress, observations, and results.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work environment in accordance with cGMP, safety, and housekeeping standards.
• Respond appropriately to abnormal plant conditions, process deviations, alarms, spills, and emergencies in accordance with procedures and training.
• Use required PPE and respiratory protection and maintain the medical qualifications necessary for assigned equipment.
• Operate powered industrial equipment, including forklifts, when trained and authorized.
• Perform assigned hazardous waste management activities, including waste determinations, profiling, labeling, inspections, container management, and spill or emergency response.
• Maintain appropriate inventories of process-contact disposables, PPE, and other materials needed for Pilot Plant operations.
• Support purchasing and procurement of equipment, supplies, and materials for Pilot Plant activities.
• Assist with development, review, and maintenance of Pilot Plant SOPs and other controlled documentation.
• Complete required training and demonstrate continued proficiency in assigned equipment, processes, procedures, and job responsibilities.
• Provide hands-on training and knowledge sharing to peers and other employees when assigned and qualified.
• Collaborate with CRD, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, EHS, and other departments supporting Pilot Plant activities.
• Report to work fit for duty and adhere to assigned work schedules.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Perform documentation in compliance with ALCOA++ principles and site SOPs.
• Adhere to applicable cGMP documents, including SOPs, batch records, protocols, change controls, and controlled forms.
• Keep required cGMP training current and escalate quality concerns, along with proposed solutions, to the Quality department.

Benefits

• Generous benefit options, eligible from the first day of employment.
• Paid training, vacation, and holidays; vacation accrual begins on the first day of employment.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Education reimbursement.
• 401(k) program with matching contributions.
• Learning platform.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED