Sr. Project Manager, Engineering

Novartis • Durham, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Bring your experience, leadership, and strategic mindset to a role where your work directly enables the delivery of innovative therapies to patients around the world. As a Sr. Project Manager, Engineering at Novartis, you will lead a complex portfolio of capital projects within a regulated manufacturing environment, guiding teams through ambiguity and technical challenges with confidence. You will serve as a trusted partner to site leadership, drive decisions that shape long‑term manufacturing strategy, and champion operational excellence while balancing cost, quality, and schedule. This role offers the opportunity to influence at scale, mentor teams, and leave a lasting footprint across the site’s capital portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience
• Nine years of experience supporting pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations in regulated environments
• Demonstrated experience leading FDA‑regulated and GMP‑compliant projects within highly regulated facilities
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice systems
• Experience delivering capital improvement projects, including process and production layout development
• Experience managing Good Manufacturing Practice construction activities in brownfield and renovation environments
• Applied knowledge of Quality by Design, Six Sigma, and operational excellence methodologies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong technical writing capabilities

Nice To Haves

• Business Continuity
• Cost Management
• Data Analytics and Digital
• Decision Making
• Engineering Operations Management
• Engineering Technical Expertise
• GDP Knowledge
• gmp knowledge
• HSE Knowledge
• Manufacturing Process (Production)
• Operational Excellence
• Problem Solving
• Project Management
• Quality Compliance
• Resilience and Risk Management
• Resource Planning and Forecasting
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Vendor Management

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple capital projects from initiation through close‑out, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to quality standards
• Act as primary client contact, proactively managing stakeholder expectations and maintaining strong working relationships
• Manage project scope, schedule, and budget changes with clear impact assessments and documented approvals
• Oversee contractors and internal teams, ensuring safe, compliant, and effective project execution
• Resolve project issues, risks, and resource constraints in partnership with site leadership
• Prepare and manage project budgets, forecasts, and funding documentation
• Develop project objectives aligned with business plans and user requirements
• Coordinate planning and scheduling across project teams and manufacturing operations
• Communicate project performance, risks, and mitigation plans to site and senior leadership
• Drive operational excellence by capturing lessons learned and supporting continuous improvement initiatives

Benefits

• health, life and disability benefits
• a 401(k) with company contribution and match
• a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves
• performance-based cash incentive
• eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards

What This Job Offers

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