Process Engineer Cell Therapy Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Within the AstraZeneca Cell Therapy Unit (CTU), our ambition is to realize the full potential of cell therapy for people living with cancer, immune-mediated and rare diseases around the world. This unit has responsibility for the value chain from discovery through to late-stage development and commercialization. We are rapidly progressing a broad pipeline of cell therapies in collaboration with AstraZeneca's Therapeutic Area Units.
The Executive Director, Global Product Leader (GPL - Solid Tumor Franchise) - will have overall leadership and accountability for global, cross-functional teams delivering discovery and clinical studies with embedded translational medicine research to establish proof-of-concept data enabling registrational investment strategies. This individual will be accountable for the strategic leadership and execution of clinical development and commercialization plans, aligning prioritization across oncology research units to advance the solid tumor-directed cell therapy pipeline. You will have oncology clinical drug development experience, demonstrated leadership, and be able to critically evaluate the science, clinical data and competitive landscape that underlies each program. You will be able to effectively communicate across a broad range of audiences and have the ability to clearly articulate project-specific strategies and deliverables as it relates to the overall AZ Oncology and Cell Therapy Unit visions.
Typical Accountabilities:
• Leads one or more Cell Therapy Global Product Teams accountable for strategy and execution of development programs to time and quality; current programs include but are not limited to GPC3, STEAP2, and TCR-T cell therapies
• Holds accountability for the strategy, budget, timeline and execution of discovery and/or clinical studies and the generation of supporting data for investment decisions
• Ensures clinical programs support life cycle management strategies, brand strategy plans, and integrated product development plans from AZ's emerging portfolio
• Leads and communicates the project development strategy at governance meetings to gain endorsement and to secure funding
• Leads the global product team to effectively communicate and manage risk; responsible for monitoring emerging data and for adjusting strategy when necessary
• Responsible for maintaining a high degree of team effectiveness through collaboration, influence, and, as necessary, coaching and mentoring of cross-functional team members
• Maintains relationships with external investigators to ensure projects are consistent with evolving clinical care and experimental approaches
• Responsible for strong partnership with other GPTs, Therapeutic Area leadership teams, and global functional leads across the business
Essential Qualifications:
• Graduate degree such as a PharmD, PhD, MD, or an MD/PhD with 10+ years of relevant experience
• Industry experience in designing strategies through all stages of development, coupled with regulatory knowledge
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the Oncology therapeutic area and evolving clinical landscapes
• Demonstrated experience leading and motivating teams in a highly matrixed environment with a proven track record of entrepreneurial decision-making and driving projects to completion
• Proven record of cultivating and managing internal and external collaborations
• Demonstrated success in communicating with and influencing colleagues and senior leaders in various departments
Desirable Qualifications:
• Experience in development of cell therapies
• Experience in early- and late-stage clinical development programs
• Experience developing data and justification leading to successful Ph3 investment decisions
• Experience in the treatment of and/or development of agents for the treatment of prostate cancer, HCC, or pancreatic cancer
• Experience in due diligence (e.g. asset evaluation, assessment of new biomarker and diagnostic tools)
• Experience in US and/or Global commercialization processes
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $251,610 to $377,415. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Date Posted
07-Jul-2026
Closing Date
16-Jul-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.