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 with cross-functional teams to support Pilot Plant and Chemical Research and Development (CRD) activities, requiring mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, accurate documentation, and safe operation and maintenance of manufacturing equipment. The position normally follows 12-hour shifts covering either days or nights, including weekends and holidays, to support a 24/7 production operation. Overtime may be required. Work takes place regularly 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 role includes physical activity such as sitting, standing, walking, handling objects, reaching, and climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; occasional lifting or moving of up to 55 pounds may be required. Applicants must pass a background check and drug screen. Occupational Health Screening may also be required. The employee must be able to become medically qualified to use required respiratory protection and other PPE, and qualified to operate a forklift and other assigned powered industrial equipment.

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 the operation of manufacturing and process equipment.
Ability to 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 as part of 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 overtime as required and report fit for duty on scheduled shifts.

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 working collaboratively 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, and applicable cGMP, safety, and environmental requirements.
Set up, operate, monitor, and shut down Pilot Plant equipment and systems used for reactions, filtration, distillation, drying, milling, and material transfer.
Monitor process conditions and accurately document observations, operating parameters, activities, and results in accordance with procedures and data integrity requirements.
Clean, inspect, and verify equipment, vessels, and processing areas in accordance with established procedures and cleaning protocols.
Maintain process flow and appropriately prioritize assigned work with supervisory or technical oversight.
Identify and communicate process or equipment concerns and assist with troubleshooting processing issues independently or with CRD, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and other appropriate functions.
Work independently on Pilot Plant and CRD projects under the technical direction of a CRD Chemist, Engineer, or other 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 emergency situations in accordance with established procedures and training.
Properly use required PPE and respiratory protection and maintain the medical qualifications necessary for assigned PPE and respirator use.
Safely operate powered industrial equipment, including forklifts, when trained and authorized.
Perform assigned hazardous waste management activities, including waste determinations, waste profiling, container labeling, inspections, container management, and spill or emergency response activities.
Maintain appropriate inventories of process-contact disposables, PPE, and other materials required to support Pilot Plant operations.
Support purchasing and procurement of equipment, supplies, and materials needed for Pilot Plant activities.
Assist with the development, review, and maintenance of Pilot Plant SOPs and other controlled documentation.
Participate in 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 as 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 all documentation in compliance with ALCOA++ principles and site SOPs; follow applicable cGMP documents, keep required cGMP training current, and escalate quality concerns with proposed solutions to the Quality department.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.