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External Manufacturing Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Fluence

SAP Supply Chain Solution Architect

Arlington, VA

$94.50 - $127.50/hr

Support multi-entity, multi-plant, intercompany, external manufacturing, and partner integration scenarios. * Ensure upstream and downstream impacts are understood before solution decisions are ...

Wabtec

Manufacturing Test Engineer IV

Germantown, MD · On-site

$91K - $129K/yr

... external manufacturing and repair facilities. How will you make a difference? * Work cross-functionally with local quality, operations, lean, and shop support functions to create strategy, align ...

Wabtec

Manufacturing Test Engineer IV

Germantown, MD · On-site

$91K - $129K/yr

... external manufacturing and repair facilities. How will you make a difference? * Work cross-functionally with local quality, operations, lean, and shop support functions to create strategy, align ...

Wabtec

Manufacturing Test Engineer III

Germantown, MD · On-site

$79K - $113K/yr

... external manufacturing and repair facilities. How will you make a difference? * Work cross-functionally with local quality, operations, lean, and shop support functions to create strategy, align ...

SC Johnson

Sr. Analyst, Procurement

Washington, DC · On-site +1

Control inventories at external manufacturers * Ensure product quality and compliance on the external manufacturers * Achieve savings and cash targets for the region REQUIRED EXPERIENCE YOU'LL BRING

VB Spine

Quality Assurance Specialist

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Interface with suppliers and support requests for internal and external manufacturing document management What You Bring: * Bachelor's degree in a science or related discipline * Minimum 2 years of ...

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External Manufacturing information

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How much do external manufacturing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for external manufacturing in Washington is $20.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in external manufacturing roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in External Manufacturing often encounter challenges related to managing supplier relationships, ensuring product quality, and coordinating timelines across multiple partners. Navigating different time zones, regulatory requirements, and production capabilities can create complexity. Proactive communication, clear documentation, and regular audits are essential strategies for addressing these challenges and maintaining smooth operations. Building strong partnerships with external vendors also helps in mitigating risks and supporting continuous improvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in external manufacturing, and why are they important?

To thrive in External Manufacturing, you need strong project management skills, a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, and often a degree in engineering, supply chain, or a related field. Familiarity with ERP systems, quality management tools, and regulatory compliance standards is commonly required. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building abilities help professionals effectively coordinate with external partners and internal teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring product quality, on-time delivery, and successful collaboration with third-party manufacturers.

What is the difference between External Manufacturing vs Contract Manufacturing?

AspectExternal ManufacturingContract Manufacturing
DefinitionOutsourcing production to a third-party company to produce goods on behalf of a brand or company.Engaging a third-party manufacturer to produce specific products or components under a contractual agreement.
FocusOverall production process management and supply chainSpecific product or component manufacturing
RelationshipTypically ongoing partnership with multiple projectsProject-based or short-term agreement
Common CredentialsManufacturing certifications, quality standardsManufacturing certifications, quality standards

External Manufacturing and Contract Manufacturing both involve outsourcing production to third parties, but External Manufacturing generally refers to managing the entire manufacturing process, while Contract Manufacturing focuses on producing specific products or components under contractual terms. Understanding these differences helps companies choose the right outsourcing strategy for their production needs.

What is external manufacturing?

External manufacturing involves outsourcing the production of goods to third-party manufacturers outside a company’s internal facilities. It allows companies to focus on design, marketing, and distribution while relying on specialized manufacturers for production, often requiring coordination, quality control, and supply chain management skills.

What are popular job titles related to External Manufacturing jobs in Washington?

For External Manufacturing jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching External Manufacturing jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for External Manufacturing jobs in Washington are:

External Manufacturing jobs near you
Infographic showing various External Manufacturing job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,495 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Sr. Manager, External Manufacturing

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Headquarters
Vanda Pharmaceuticals HQ
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 300E
Washington, DC 20037, USA

  • Serve as the single point of accountability for assigned CMOs supporting commercial product manufacturing and packaging operations.
  • Ensure on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery of commercial supply, meeting demand forecasts and inventory targets.
  • Own production planning alignment with Supply Chain, including capacity planning, campaign scheduling, and inventory optimization.
  • Proactively identify supply risks and lead mitigation strategies to ensure uninterrupted commercial supply
External CMO Management & Governance
  • Lead day-to-day operational oversight of CMOs, including production performance, issue resolution, and escalation management.
  • Establish and maintain robust governance processes (KPIs, business reviews, scorecards, and continuous improvement plans).
  • Drive vendor performance management, including quality, cost, delivery, and reliability metrics.
  • Partner with Procurement on contracting, scope definition, and cost optimization initiatives.
Technical & CMC Leadership
  • Provide technical oversight of commercial manufacturing processes, ensuring consistent product quality and performance.
  • Support and oversee technology transfers, process validation, scale‑up, and lifecycle management at external sites.
  • Lead or contribute to complex investigations, root cause analyses, and implementation of CAPAs.
  • Champion process robustness and continuous improvement initiatives across CMOs.
Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with cGMP, regulatory filings, and quality agreements.
  • Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance on deviations, change controls, CAPAs, and audit readiness.
  • Support health authority inspections and ensure effective response to regulatory observations (if applicable).
  • Maintain compliance of technical documentation and manufacturing records.
Cross-Functional Integration
  • Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Technical Development, and Commercial teams to align manufacturing operations with business priorities.
  • Ensure seamless communication of manufacturing performance, risks, and supply outlook to leadership.
  • Support launch readiness and ongoing lifecycle management for commercial products.
Regulatory Support
  • Contribute to CMC sections of regulatory submissions (NDA/ANDA variations, annual reports, supplements).
  • Ensure manufacturing processes and changes are aligned with global regulatory requirements.
Position Requirements Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Chemistry, or related discipline.
  • 7+ years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, technical operations, or CMC.
  • Demonstrated experience managing external CMOs for commercial drug product and/or packaging operations.
  • Strong knowledge of cGMP regulations, commercial manufacturing operations, and tech transfer and process validation.
  • Proven ability to manage cross‑functional teams and external partners.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (MS, PhD, MBA).
  • Experience with commercial small‑molecule products (solid oral dosage and/or sterile).
  • Experience supporting regulatory filings and health authority inspections.
  • Strong track record in commercial supply chain management and vendor governance.
  • Experience in lifecycle management and post‑approval changes.
  • Proven success managing complex supply chains in a matrixed environment.
  • Strong ownership mindset for commercial supply reliability
  • Excellent vendor and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to operate in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment
  • Strategic thinking with strong execution discipline
  • Effective problem‑solving and decision‑making under pressure

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation; however, reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would impose undue hardship.

The total compensation package for this position will also include incentive compensation and benefits such as health insurance, unlimited paid time off, parental leave, a 401k matching program, and other benefits to its employees.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you reside in a state or locality with enacted pay transparency laws, you are entitled to request and receive additional details regarding compensation and benefits. For assistance, please contact us at 202-524-8238 between 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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