Sr Manufacturing Tech
About The Position
Kite is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Technician to execute and lead manufacturing processes on the production floor for viral vector products in a cGMP environment. The role works closely with Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), Facilities and Engineering (F&E), and Quality to ensure safe, compliant, and right-the-first-time operations. Responsibilities span buffer preparation, purification, filling, downstream purification, solution formulation, filter integrity testing, material handling, and manufacturing documentation. The technician will help drive operational excellence, support team coordination, and contribute to process documentation and continuous improvement. The role includes mentoring junior staff, acting as a qualified trainer backup, leading tier huddles as needed, and serving as a delegate for supervisors or managers during cross-functional meetings. Off-shift and weekend work, along with on-call support as needed, may be required.
Requirements
- One of the following education and experience combinations: a master's degree and at least 2 years of manufacturing or engineering experience in biotech/pharma; a bachelor's degree and at least 4 years; an associate's degree and at least 5 years; or a high school degree and at least 6 years.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across all levels.
- Ability to work effectively in an inclusive, cross-functional, team-based environment.
- Ability to work off-shift hours and weekends.
- Ability to lift 40 pounds repeatedly and stand for hours at a time.
- Ability to provide on-call support as needed.
Nice To Haves
- At least 6 years of experience with a bachelor's degree in biology or a related scientific discipline, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with minimal direction and adjusting workload as priorities change.
- Prior biopharmaceutical, cell therapy, or gene therapy manufacturing experience across downstream and filling operations.
- Knowledge and experience with single-use systems, including chromatography, UFDF, and single-use mixers.
- Experience with automation platforms and electronic batch records.
- Knowledge of current Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) and cGMPs.
- Excellent Microsoft Word, Excel, and data-analysis skills.
- Self-motivation and willingness to accept temporary responsibilities outside the initial job description.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Willingness to think outside the box and work in an evolving environment.
Responsibilities
- Execute and lead floor manufacturing processes in collaboration with MSAT, Facilities and Engineering, and Quality.
- Follow batch records, SOPs, and cGMP regulations to maintain safe and compliant operations.
- Ensure right-the-first-time performance for process steps and promote a safety-first culture.
- Perform and manage electronic inventory transactions in MES and EBS, weigh raw materials, and conduct raw-material cycle counts.
- Perform, troubleshoot, and manage moderately complex issues in buffer preparation, purification, and filling operations for viral vector products.
- Manage solution formulation tasks and filter integrity testing.
- Execute downstream purification processes.
- Escalate floor issues for triage and communicate status updates and follow-ups.
- Review and sign off in-process cGMP documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
- Participate in and manage operational excellence initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement.
- Develop SOPs, Manufacturing Production Records (MPRs), and other process documents, including minor deviations and CAPAs as needed.
- Represent supervisors and managers as a delegate in cross-functional team meetings.
- Manage and write shift notes for all unit operations.
- Lead operational tier huddles as needed.
- Serve as a backup qualified trainer for all unit operations.
- Mentor junior staff with limited task-management responsibility.
- Perform additional assigned duties and delegate duties to qualified deputies as needed.
Benefits
- May be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus.
- May be eligible for discretionary stock-based long-term incentives, depending on role.
- Paid time off.
- Company-sponsored medical insurance.
- Company-sponsored dental insurance.
- Company-sponsored vision insurance.
- Company-sponsored life insurance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
High school or GED
