Cell Therapy Process Development Scientist Jobs in Washington, DC

Job Description -Process Engineer, Manufacturing Sciences & Technology, Cell Therapy

Location: AstraZeneca, Rockville, MD

Travel: Up to 15%domesticand international travelrequired

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Process Engineer to join our Manufacturing Sciences & Technology (MS&T) function as a member of the site-based MS&T team at AstraZeneca's Rockville, MD cell therapy manufacturing facility.

This position focuses on ensuring robust, compliant, and cost-effective manufacturing of clinical and commercial cell therapy products.

Responsibilities include leading on-the-floor / hands-on technical support, developing technical instructions, procedures, and operator training content, performing data analysis and process performance trending, leading complex deviation investigations, driving implementation of CAPAs and continuous improvement through change controls, and contributing to validation and regulatory deliverables. These responsibilities will be exercised through the scope of supporting technology transfers, clinical manufacturing, site readiness, process validation/PPQ, commercial manufacture readiness, andproductlifecycle management activities.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience with cell therapy unit operations throughpreviousexperience in process development and/or manufacturing, as well asexpertisein technology transfer. Experience with process validation and commercialization activities is desired. This position will report to Director, MS&T, Cell TherapyDevelopmentand Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Site manufacturing support

Process Execution Support: Provide day-to-day technical support for cell therapy manufacturing, including on-the-floor support for critical campaigns (including occasional off-shift support whererequired)

Operations Support: Represent Site MS&T function at site operational tier meetings, providing collaborative inputs that drive site activities

Data trending and analysis:Maintainmanufacturing data tracking system and control charts, perform trend analyses,identifysignals, and drivetimelysignal-to-action with clear documentation and cross-functional alignment.

Process performance monitoring: Conduct batch record review, deviation assessment, and data trending to ensure robustness of cell therapy manufacturing processes.

Deviation/CAPA Support: Lead or co-lead technical investigations for deviations and process excursions, perform root cause analysis,developand implement CAPAs withappropriate data.

Continuous improvements:Identify, justify, and implement continuous improvements by shepherding changes through crossfunctional change controls withappropriate riskassessments and comparability.

Raw materials: Support qualification of critical materials (e.g., cytokines, viral vector, single-use assemblies) and assess impact of raw material changes, and contribute to second-source strategies

Automation: Partner with automation/digital manufacturing teams to implement electronic batch record improvements

Documentation & GMP Compliance: Author and revise batch records, SOPs, and technical reports; protocols, summary reports, ensure adherence to cGMP/ATMP requirements and data integrity principles (ALCOA+).

Training & Knowledge Transfer: Deliver operator training on critical process steps or process changes; contribute to lessons-learned, playbooks, and best practices across sites.

Regulatory Contributions: Draft and review CMC sections (Module 3) response to agency question, support healthauthorityand internal audits/inspections.

Technology Transfer & Process Validation

Draft and review risk assessments and comparability study design

Contribute to technology transfer packages (process descriptions, URS inputs, BOMs, risk assessments), implement process changes, coordinate execution of engineering runs and comparability/bridging studies, author technical reports

Translate process characterization outputs from development into manufacturing controls, and draft sections of PPQ protocols/reports

Provide onthefloor technical support during scaleup, engineering runs, PPQ batches, and commercial manufacturing campaigns (including offshift support whenrequired).

CrossFunctional Collaboration

Position serves as primary interface between site Manufacturing, site Quality, site Supply Chain, and global functions of Process Development and CMC regulatory

Support lifecycle management for cell therapy processes, including continuous improvement initiatives and post-approval changes

Required Qualifications:

A minimum ofa Bachelor'sdegree with 5+ years of hands-on industry experience isrequired

Technical Skills

Strong technical and hands-onexpertisein key cell therapy unit operations and common cell therapy processing equipment

Demonstratedexperience working in GMP environments, including batch record execution or review, deviations, and investigations.

Proficiencywith statisticalanalysis(including univariate, multi-variate analysis, control charts)

Demonstratedability inaccurateand thorough technical writing, paired with clear and concise verbal communication

Strong data analysis, and problemsolving skills.

Soft skills

Excellent crossfunctional communication and collaboration.

Ability to translate complex data into clear decisions and regulatory-ready narratives.

Excellent problem solving, cross-functional leadership, and communication under time-sensitive conditions.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred:PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field OR M.S. with 2+ years of hands-on industry experience

Experience with latestage clinical manufacturing support of cell therapy products

Experience with process validation and commercial readiness of cell therapy products

Work Environment

On-site in Rockville, MD

Ability to travel ~15% to other manufacturing facilities

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $ 79,336.80 - 119,005.20. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

On-call rotation during engineering/PPQ/critical campaigns