Senior Process Engineer

Senior Process Engineer

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we are committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary: 

The Process Engineer supports capital project execution, engineering design, and ongoing improvements to systems and equipment within pharmaceutical and life sciences facilities operating under cGMP requirements.

This role provides technical expertise across the full project and system lifecycle, from scope development and documentation through implementation, commissioning, qualification, and ongoing optimization. The engineer works on both greenfield builds and capital projects within operating facilities, in collaboration with engineering design, construction management, and CQV/start-up teams.

Candidates without direct pharmaceutical experience will need to demonstrate clearly transferable experience in regulated manufacturing environments, such as critical utility systems, cleanrooms, or process equipment.

Responsibilities:

• Project Support: 

• Execute capital projects on greenfield builds and within operating facilities, from scope development through implementation, commissioning, and qualification. Coordinate with design, construction, and CQV/start-up teams to move projects from approved design to handover.  Support or perform design work as needed, including technical documentation and deliverables.

• Collaboration: 

• Work independently while asking questions early and drawing on the best internal, client, and industry resources to meet requirements accurately and efficiently. Build and maintain long-term professional relationships with coworkers, clients, suppliers, and industry partners.  Maintain composure under pressure.

• Documentation: 

• Develop and maintain project documentation, including specifications, test plans, and progress reports. Analyze data and report results clearly.  Manage documentation within cGMP-controlled systems, including validation and change control processes.

• Communication: 
• Keep clients, contractors, and project teams informed, in person and in writing, on scope, deliverables, and compliance requirements, at technical through executive levels.  Ensure timely, accurate information transfer in controlled documentation environments.  Proactively raise issues, risks, and knowledge gaps, and take ownership of closing communication gaps with the client.
• Innovation: 
• Foster an environment where new ideas are discussed and developed collaboratively and help others work through resistance to change.  Create practical solutions to client problems.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or equivalent preferred)

• Experience:   >5 years working in pharmaceutical industry or relevant regulated industry.

• Technical Skills: 
• Direct hands-on experience in cGMP regulated environments in clean utilities, process equipment, maintenance/reliability or manufacturing systems, and an understanding of how engineering activities integrate with controlled documentation, validation, and change control processes.
• Experience developing and interpreting engineering deliverables, including PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specifications, system design documentation, and CQV documentation.

• Experience supporting capital projects within operating facilities, including system upgrades, expansions, or process improvement.

• Familiarity with engineering principles including fluid flow, heat transfer, mass balance, and pressure safety, applied in the context of real-world system design and operation.

• Adaptability: Flexibility and willingness to work on various projects and tasks, embracing new challenges with enthusiasm.

• Initiative: Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative to drive projects forward.

• Nice to Have:

• FE/PE Certification

• Proficiency in using engineering tools and software platforms.

Location: This is not a remote role.  This position will be required to report to a client site in Raleigh, NC.

Travel: Flexibility and willingness for travel based on project needs.

Compensation: $70,000-$170,000

Benefits:

Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location. This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.