Senior Operations Engineer - Drug Product

Location: Elkton, Virginia, United States of America. Onsite, first-shift day schedule; 10% travel. Domestic relocation is listed, and visa sponsorship is not available.

Salary: $96,200–$151,400 per year, plus annual bonus and long-term incentive eligibility where applicable.

Company

hirify.global is a research-intensive biopharmaceutical company developing medicines and health solutions for people and animals.

What you will do

• Support commissioning, qualification, start-up, and operational readiness for a new drug product small-molecule manufacturing facility.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Technical Operations, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to support safe, compliant, and effective plant start-up.
• Provide technical and operational support during equipment and process start-up, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Support technology transfer and implementation of commercial manufacturing processes.
• Define, implement, and improve operating practices, procedures, standard work, and routines for reliable and compliant operations.
• Coordinate improvement activities, apply MPS and lean tools, and support consistent execution across shifts, functions, and workstreams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in Drug Product/SDI manufacturing, including operations or technical operations.
• Experience in a cross-functional manufacturing, technical, or operational setting.
• Experience contributing to operational improvement, troubleshooting, process support, or start-up-related activities.
• Working knowledge of GMP, quality, and compliance expectations in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills, with the ability to work across Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Technical teams.
• Ability to prioritize work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Nice to have

• Experience supporting commissioning, qualification, start-up, or validation activities.
• Experience in a greenfield or new-facility start-up environment.
• Experience with technology transfer and implementation of commercial manufacturing processes.
• Experience applying lean tools and methodologies, including Kaizen, 5S, and Standard Work.
• Experience coordinating activities across shifts, teams, or functions.
• Experience serving in a lead, coordinator, or delegate role supporting leadership continuity.
• Experience identifying improvement opportunities and implementing practical solutions in manufacturing.

Culture & Benefits

• Safe, environmentally responsible, compliant, inclusive, collaborative, and performance-driven workplace.
• Medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits for employees and families.
• Retirement benefits including a 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate leave, and sick days.
• Opportunity to help establish a new small-molecule manufacturing site and build expertise in U.S. operations.