Principal Process Engineer Technical Sciences

• Location: Geel, Belgium
• Job type: Permanent, Full time

About the job

As a Principal Process Engineer Technical Sciences within our MSAT Recombinant Drug Substance Global Platform function, you'll drive lifecycle management activities for end-to-end manufacturing processes and provide critical technical support for commercial products. The Technical Sciences Group within our function owns lifecycle management of commercial manufacturing processes within Sanofi's Manufacturing and Supply network, covering an expansive portfolio of 17 products, 5 modalities, and 3 expression systems across 12 internal and external global sites in the US and EU. You'll support the launch of 20 new products in the next 5 years including monoclonal and multi-specific antibodies, fusion proteins, and antibody-drug conjugates, while working with recently established second-generation manufacturing processes featuring continuous process platforms. Ready to get started?

Join a global network that powers how Sanofi delivers — seamlessly, purposefully, and at scale. In Manufacturing & Supply, you'll help reimagine how life-changing treatments reach people everywhere, faster. We're pursuing future innovations including digital labs, factory of the future concepts, and advanced analytics-based process understanding and control. This role will drive Environmental Sustainability by Design initiatives, fostering a culture of environmental sustainability and innovation in pharmaceutical development across our global manufacturing network.

About Sanofi

We're an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives.

Main responsibilities:

• Drive lifecycle management activities for end-to-end recombinant drug substance manufacturing processes at contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) by partnering closely with CMO technical teams and Sanofi's External Manufacturing groups
• Provide technical support to commercial products throughout their lifecycle, including routine process monitoring, person-in-plant technical oversight, investigations, critical deviations resolution, and process changes
• Acts as an internal recipient of the technology transfer (CMO is the external recipient) and takes process ownership after successful transfer
• Review manufacturing processes, development and production data, continuous process verification (CPV) plans and reports to identify trends and risks
• Lead investigations and provide data analysis for critical deviation resolution, applying root cause analysis and risk assessment methodologies
• Recommend and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, productivity, recovery, and overall efficiency, leveraging Sanofi's digital tools
• Lead technical project teams and provide mentorship and technical guidance to less experienced colleagues
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Engineering, External Manufacturing, External Quality groups, and other MSAT groups, to design experiments, interpret results, and recommend next steps
• Champion the use of digital tools as part of lifecycle management initiatives and oversee reporting on manufacturing robustness and key performance indicators (KPIs)

About you

• Educational background in engineering or science (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD level)
• Experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Drug Substance (DS) manufacturing experience
• High level of technical expertise and hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture and/or protein purification techniques
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and risk assessment
• Excellent communication skills, including technical writing and ability to engage senior stakeholders
• Comfortable working in cross-functional, global, and matrixed environments
• Willingness to travel (up to 30%) and support manufacturing operations flexibly on an ‘on call’ 24/7 basis

Why choose us?

• Be part of world-first initiatives like our Modulus factory, smart factories, and AI-driven supply chain solutions
• Develop new skills, explore cross-functional roles, and work in an environment that values growth and discovery
• Every year, we distribute over 4 billion units of medicines and vaccines, ensuring people worldwide receive the treatments they trust
• Be part of an organization that invests in people, technology, and sustainability, leading the industry in low-carbon manufacturing and digital transformation
• Enjoy outstanding benefits, including flexible working options, comprehensive healthcare, and well-being programs designed to help you thrive

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