Sr. Specialist, External Quality Assurance

Encoded Therapeutics • Morrisville, NC

2d

About The Position

Encoded Therapeutics is a clinical-stage genetic medicines company developing potentially disease-modifying therapies to improve the lives of people with severe CNS disorders. Our proprietary vector engineering approach combines novel regulatory elements and payloads with AAV vectors to unlock innovative solutions for debilitating, intractable CNS conditions. At the forefront is our flagship clinical program, ETX101 for Dravet syndrome, which targets the underlying cause of the disorder to enable highly selective upregulation of SCN1A for potentially long-lasting benefit. In parallel, we are advancing a pipeline of potentially best-in-class programs to address significant unmet needs across both monogenic and prevalent CNS conditions. For more information, please visit www.encoded.com . The Sr. Specialist, External Quality Assurance is pivotal role within our Quality organization that offers a unique opportunity to shape our external QA framework as we scale from late-stage clinical operations to commercial launch. You will serve as the primary QA partner for our Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), providing rigorous oversight of cell banks, plasmids, Drug Substance, Drug Product, and Finished Drug Product. We are seeking a proactive QA professional with a track record of driving cross-functional alignment, managing external vendor relationships, and supporting successful regulatory submissions/approvals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or life sciences discipline (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry).
• 7+ years of progressive QA experience in a cGMP-regulated biotechnology environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting late-stage clinical manufacturing, commercial quality operations, and tech transfers.
• Deep working knowledge of cGMP standards, international regulations, and regulatory guidance documents (21 CFR Parts 210/211/11, USP, EP, ICH).
• Outstanding ability to lead complex cross-functional root-cause investigations and translate technical challenges into actionable compliance recommendations.
• Autonomous self-starter capable of navigating a dynamic, fast-paced environment while maintaining complete objectivity in quality decision-making.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with AAV, viral vectors, or gene therapy platforms.
• Direct exposure to a successful BLA/MAA filing, regulatory inspection, or commercial drug approval process.
• Hands-on experience with electronic Quality Management Systems, specifically Veeva Quality Vault.

Responsibilities

• Drive QA oversight for external CDMO operations, technical transfers, and analytical testing laboratories across both clinical and commercial supply chains.
• Provide comprehensive review of GMP related documentation including batch records, packaging/labeling documentation, sampling plans, specifications, and testing protocols to ensure full cGMP compliance.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Process Sciences, Supply Chain, and QC to investigate and resolve deviations, non-conformances, and CAPAs prior to batch disposition.
• Review and manage change controls and quality events for process, equipment, facility, and modification—ensuring commercial readiness and compliance.
• Author and refine Quality SOPs while contributing to the continuous expansion of site Quality Systems, tracking key quality metrics, and presenting performance trends to leadership.
• Serve as the QA voice on cross-functional teams, offering clear, risk-based compliance guidance and regulatory alignment.
• Support onboarding and lifecycle management of suppliers, internal/external audits, and regulatory inspection preparations as we prepare for commercial approval.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including competitive employer premium contributions
• Meaningful stock option grants
• PTO, sick time, and holiday pay
• Generous Parental Leave program
• Pre-tax medical and dependent care programs
• STD, LTD, Life and AD&D
• Professional development opportunities
• Team-building events
• Stocked micro-kitchen with drinks and snacks
• Wellness Resources

What This Job Offers

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