Project Engineer

Asahi Kasei • Glenview, IL

2d • $85,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America, Inc. (AKBA) provides pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers with tools to support the safety and yield of biotherapeutics during research, clinical, and commercial-scale production. Its portfolio includes Planova virus-removal filters and equipment and expertise in liquid chromatography, inline buffer dilution, and oligonucleotide synthesis.

The Project Engineer leads the specification, design, manufacture, qualification, and implementation of custom and standard capital equipment used in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The role manages customer project requirements from concept through validation, with responsibility for technical, schedule, and budget objectives. Working with customers, suppliers, and internal teams, the Project Engineer selects components, oversees equipment assembly, supports commissioning and validation, and leads installation, testing, and training at customer sites. The position also provides technical expertise, supports customers and internal initiatives, and drives continuous improvement in product quality, performance, and project execution. The role is based onsite at the Glenview, Illinois facility and involves domestic and international travel to customer sites and other activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, such as Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Biomedical Engineering.
• 3–8 years of experience building or operating process equipment; pharmaceutical industry experience is preferred.
• Ability to work onsite at the Glenview, Illinois facility.
• Familiarity with Quality Management Systems; ISO 9001:2015 is preferred.
• Familiarity with current Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated detail orientation, ethical judgment, problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, customer focus, and self-motivation.
• Willingness to learn new technical information, processes, and skills and to assist outside everyday responsibilities when required.
• Willingness to travel several times per year; typical travel is estimated at 3–8 work weeks annually, depending on assignments and project quantity and scope.
• Ability to use appropriate personal protective equipment when occasionally exposed to pressurized liquids, live electrical circuits, and/or chemical solutions.
• No immigration-related sponsorship is available now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed Professional Engineer (not required).
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary stakeholder and owner of customer equipment projects and provide technical and practical support to the assigned Project Manager.
• Review customer specifications, understand requirements, and communicate them to relevant stakeholders.
• Create or review design documents, including technical drawings and specifications, with input from subject matter experts.
• Specify suitable components and materials based on project requirements, engineering calculations and sizing, vendor selection, suitability, availability, price, and lead time.
• Advise Quality Control on project-specific component receipt and acceptance specifications.
• Commission and troubleshoot automated systems to achieve validation readiness or address field issues.
• Write and execute project-specific test protocols in accordance with GAMP and established templates and practices, with Validation guidance.
• Perform mechanical, electrical, and automation commissioning; GAMP qualification; and customer Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing, with support from relevant teams.
• Prepare user manuals and other customer-facing documents and review final documentation turnover packages.
• Confirm project scope is accounted for and oversee packaging of deliverables for transport.
• Travel to customer sites to supervise installation, test installed equipment, and train operators.
• Identify, clarify, and manage project scope with internal teams and customers, facilitating change orders when needed.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders through recurring and ad hoc meetings.
• Develop and manage project schedules, and communicate updates and critical paths, with Project Management support as needed.
• Communicate and actively manage project labor and materials budgets to maximize project margin.
• Coordinate with suppliers on component and material deliveries and expedite when necessary.
• Communicate expectations and milestone deliverables to internal departments, including design, purchasing, assembly, automation, logistics, quality, and field service.
• Ensure project processes are performed and documented according to established procedures and quality checks.
• Use a customer-focused approach to build satisfaction, trust, and long-term relationships.
• Own technical support for an assigned subset of customer accounts and installed products, serving as the first point of contact for technical concerns, inquiries, complaints, and upgrade requests.
• Address customer issues in person, by phone, or through web-based tools, communicate solutions, and train relevant personnel.
• Build customer relationships through appropriate interactions at company or customer facilities, including occasional social time after normal business hours.
• Contribute to or lead new product realization from Engineering handover through the first customer order, with Design and Development support.
• Contribute innovative ideas, practical design feedback, and product risk-benefit analyses to new product designs.
• Research technologies, components, companies, and solutions that strengthen current and future product offerings.
• Propose, participate in, or lead improvements to Engineering and interdepartmental processes.
• Act as an ambassador for the organization and maintain a 5-S and safety-first approach.
• Pursue relevant technical and non-technical training and provide detailed subject-matter training to colleagues and customers.
• Provide technical expertise to Sales and Marketing for quotation support on change orders and to Quality for customer feedback and supplier issues.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the reporting chain.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation with bonuses.
• Health benefits, with the company paying over 80% of insurance premiums.
• Wellness Program.
• Paid Time Off.
• Company match to 401(k) contributions.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Giving Program.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Strong company culture and a small-company work environment with a big-company benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level