Project Engineer I

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease.  A Japan-based company, our goal is to make people smile by delivering breakthroughs where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, Massachusetts, and Ontario.

The Project Engineer will play a key in the design, construction, and start-up of a new manufacturing facility. Working directly with the Site Head during the project phases, the Project Engineer will transition into an operational role within the plant. This role will partner closely with the Site Leadership Team, gaining a comprehensive understanding of various functions and managing a range of projects to build both depth and breadth of experience across the site. This position will provide hands-on involvement in designing, developing, and operationalizing the facility from the ground up.

Technical Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

•   Must be eligible to work in the US on a permanent and ongoing basis without sponsorship
• Assist the Site Head with Facility Design, Start-Up, and Commissioning: Work alongside the Site Head and the Site Leadership Team on all aspects of the facility’s design, start-up, and commissioning. Ensure tasks are completed according to plan, meeting safety, quality, and operational standards.
•    Coordinate Project Activities: Organize and manage project tasks such as scheduling meetings, tracking project timelines, preparing reports, monitoring costs, and ensuring tasks are completed on time and in alignment with project goals.
•    Participate in Design, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning: Take an active role in the design, construction, and commissioning phases of the facility based on the Site Head’s direction. Collaborate closely with the Site Head and the Site Leadership Team to drive the successful execution of key tasks and milestones, ensuring alignment and progress throughout each phase.
•    Build Relationships Across Teams: Collaborate with different leaders and teams at the site to understand how each area contributes to the facility’s success. Share updates, ask questions, and ensure alignment with project goals. Work together to overcome challenges and drive project success.
•    Assist or Lead Cross-Functional Projects: Take on responsibility for assisting or leading cross-functional projects across different teams at the site. Ensure coordination between departments, manage project timelines, and contribute to the successful completion of these initiatives.

Education
•    Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Experience
•    Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a technical manufacturing environment. 

Technical Skills
•    Good organizational, planning and communication skills.  An avid learner.  Strong Team player.  
•    Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship
•    Must be commutable to Cary and Sanford, North Carolina
•    Proficient in MS Office Suite.

Non-Technical Skills
Results-oriented and able to navigate ambiguity, you set clear outcomes, track progress, follow through on commitments, and ensure your actions lead to measurable results that advance organizational objectives. Respond promptly, take accountability, and manage tasks efficiently. Adapt to change with clarity, patience, and understanding, guiding teams through evolving challenges. Exhibit strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid work ethic while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and the ability to foster alignment in a global environment. Communicate with care by actively listening and considering others' perspectives, fostering productive, engaging interactions, and managing relationships with kindness. Embrace personal growth through continuous learning and knowledge sharing, maintaining a growth mindset. Promote inclusive collaboration by respecting diverse perspectives and creating a welcoming work environment. Contribute positively by recognizing achievements and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. Collaborate with respect, integrity, and humility, prioritizing collective success over individual gain. Resourceful and proactive, challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and develop creative solutions. 

As an individual contributor, you will take a compassionate and people-focused approach to your work. You will proactively collaborate with others to create a supportive and inclusive environment, always acting in line with the organization’s values. By using strong interpersonal skills, you will work effectively with diverse viewpoints, manage relationships thoughtfully, and make decisions that meet both individual and team needs. You will be accountable for delivering results, adapting to challenges, and helping achieve business goals. Additionally, you will take ownership of your tasks, act with initiative, and continuously seek opportunities to learn and grow. You will handle change with resilience and clarity, staying flexible in a fast-paced environment while keeping the needs of patients at the center of your efforts.  You are expected to be onsite full time to maximize your learning and development opportunity. 

Physical Demands:

Initially working on a construction site and ultimately in a biotech manufacturing site in Sanford, NC.

Work is 100% on-site.  This is not a hybrid or remote role.

Requires up to 10% domestic and limited international travel. 

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

When you apply to a job on this site, the personal data contained in your application will be collected and stored by Kyowa Kirin, Inc. (“Controller”), which is located at 510 Carnegie Center Dr. Princeton, NJ 08540 USA and can be contacted by emailing [email protected]. Controller’s data protection officer can be contacted at [email protected]. Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of managing Controller’s recruitment related activities, which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Controller, which are the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of applicants for employment. 

Your personal data will be shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by Controller to help manage its recruitment and hiring process on Controller’s behalf. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, your personal data will be transferred to the United States once you submit it through this site. The transfer will be made using appropriate additional safeguards under the standard contractual clauses approved by regulators for transfers of personal data outside the European Union.

Your personal data will be retained by Controller as long as Controller determines it is necessary to evaluate your application for employment.  Under the GDPR, if you are located in the European Union, you have the right to request access to your personal data, to request that your personal data be rectified or erased, and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted. You also have the right to data portability, and to lodge a complaint with an EU supervisory authority. If you have any questions about our use of your data, you may contact us by email at [email protected].

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies

Kyowa Kirin does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Kyowa Kirin Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Kyowa Kirin employees or any other company location; Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.