Bioprocess Upstream Development Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

When you’re part of the team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll do meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale! Join 120,000 colleagues who bring our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. You’ll find the resources here to achieve your career goals and help take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges. This includes protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe, and helping find cures for cancer.

Location: Remote role. Relocation assistance is NOT provided. 

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.
   

Position Summary:

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Bioproduction Group (BPG) is seeking a Senior Upstream Process Engineer (Commercial) to serve as a technical leader at the intersection of engineering, sales, and customer solutions. This role is responsible for defining and shaping upstream bioprocess solutions for capital projects supporting drug substance manufacturing, with a focus on cell culture media, bioreactors, and automation systems.

As a key member of the commercial organization, you will lead front-end engineering and proposal development (FEL/FEED) for customer capital investments, including both greenfield and brownfield facility expansions. You will translate customer process requirements into technically robust, commercially viable solutions while driving Thermo Fisher’s Bioproduction portfolio positioning.

This is a highly visible, customer-facing role working with leading biopharma companies, CDMOs, biotech firms, and engineering partners (A&E, EPCM).

Other Key Responsibilities Include:

Technical Leadership & Process Design

• Lead upstream process design, including PFDs, P&IDs, balances, and equipment specs
• Develop scalable solutions for media prep and bioreactor-based manufacturing with automation
• Ensure compliance with cGMP and global regulatory standards

Front-End Engineering & Proposals

• Lead FEL/FEED efforts, translating customer needs into defined scopes
• Develop costed proposals with scope, assumptions, risks, and exclusions
• Support CAPEX estimates aligned with commercial and margin goals

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as primary technical contact for customers and project teams
• Lead design reviews, technical discussions, and executive presentations
• Collaborate cross-functionally across sales, engineering, and global teams

Thought Leadership & Market Development

• Contribute to technical marketing (white papers, webinars, presentations)
• Represent Thermo Fisher at industry events to promote bioproduction solutions

Project Transition & Execution Support

• Ensure smooth handoff to execution teams with clear scope and continuity
• Provide technical guidance during early project phases as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field required; Master’s or PhD preferred
• 8+ years of experience in process engineering or bioprocess system design within the biopharma or life sciences industry
• Strong expertise in upstream bioprocessing, including cell culture, media preparation, and single-use technologies
• Experience with capital equipment projects and development of complex engineering proposals
• Demonstrated ability to lead front-end engineering, scope definition, and technical solution development
• Familiarity with automation platforms (e.g., DeltaV, PLC/SCADA systems) and integration within bioprocess facilities preferred
• Strong understanding of cGMP and global regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA, ICH)
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional and global teams
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging customer stakeholders and executive audiences
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment

Travel:

• Global travel is estimated to be up to 25% of the time, independently to customer sites, factories, trade shows, and meetings

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus scheme, healthcare, company 401k, and a range of employee benefits! Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation. 

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.

Compensation and Benefits

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards