Senior Process Engineer, Cell Therapy Process Development
- Pay
- $96,000 – $144,000 per year
- Location
- Gaithersburg, MD
- Listed
- Today
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Process Engineer to support cell therapy process characterization and commercialization activities. In this role, you will play critical role in advancing late-stage cell therapy process development, process characterization, PPQ readiness, BLA-enabling studies, and technology transfer to different manufacturing sites.
This position focuses specifically on cell therapy unit operations, including T-cell enrichment, activation, transduction, washes and harvest either semi-automated or automated equipment.
The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, hands-on experience with cell therapy unit operations, and demonstrates success in supporting clinical and commercial readiness.
Key Responsibilities
Process development and characterization
- Design, execute, and support autologous or allogenic cell therapy process optimization and robustness studies.
- Drive implementation of closed-system operations and automation strategies to support scalability and compliance.
- Plan and execute process characterization studies (DOE, multivariate studies, scale-down models, and scale-up assessments) in alignment with QbD and ICH guidelines.
- Perform risk assessment, data analysis, write technical reports, and present outcome of the studies to cross-functional teams and governance forums.
- Support development and refinement of control strategies for cell therapy processes, including raw materials, and cell therapy process parameters.
- Conduct batch record review, deviation assessment, and data trending to ensure robustness of cell therapy manufacturing processes.
- Apply AI-enabled tools and digital analytics to accelerate data review, trend analysis, batch record evaluation, and process understanding.
PPQ, Tech Transfer & Manufacturing Readiness
- Contribute to PPQ planning, readiness, execution, and documentation for cell therapy processes.
- Support technology transfer of cell therapy processes to internal manufacturing sites including make-a-batch assessments and drafting manufacturing batch record.
- Provide on-the-floor technical support during scale-up, engineering runs, PPQ batches, and commercial manufacturing campaigns (including off-shift support when required).
- Support raw material risk assessments, comparability studies, and process risk evaluations across facilities and platforms.
Regulatory Support
- Contribute to authoring and reviewing CMC documentation, including cell therapy process descriptions, characterization summaries, PPQ protocols and reports, and control strategy elements.
- Support preparation of BLA/MAA submissions and responses to regulatory questions related to cell therapy manufacturing.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with analytical sciences, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing teams to ensure end-to-end process alignment.
- Represent cell therapy characterization activities in technical meetings, reviews, and governance discussions.
- Support lifecycle management, post-approval changes, and continuous improvement initiatives for cell therapy processes.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field with 2+ years of industry experience; OR M.S. with 5+ years; OR B.S. with 7+ years of hands-on industry experience.
- Strong technical expertise in key cell therapy unit operations (e.g., cell isolation, activation, transduction, expansion, harvest, formulation, cryopreservation).
- Demonstrated experience with GMP operations and late-stage / commercial readiness.
- Proven ability to analyze complex datasets, develop sound recommendations, and communicate clearly across levels
- Experience with late-stage development, process characterization, and PPQ principles for cell therapy processes.
- Demonstrated proficiency in applying AI tools and digital solutions to data analysis, documentation, and workflow automation.
- Experience working in GMP environments, including batch record execution or review, deviations, and investigations.
- Strong technical writing, data analysis, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with viral vector handling (Lentivirus, AAV) in manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with automation platforms (e.g., CliniMACS Prodigy, Lovo, G-Rex, Wave bioreactors).
- Experience implementing closed, automated, or high-throughput systems.
- Experience designing and executing DOE and multivariate data analysis for cell therapy processes.
- Experience with JMP or similar statistical analysis tools.
- Experience contributing to BLA/MAA submissions or regulatory interactions.
- Knowledge of control strategy development and risk assessment tools (e.g., FMEA).
- Formal training or demonstrated application of digitalization, automation, or AI-enabled tools in bioprocess development.
Key Competencies
- Strong experimental design and execution skills.
- Excellent cross-functional communication and collaboration.
- Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, late-stage development environments.
- Scientific curiosity, ownership mindset, and willingness to support manufacturing operations.
Pay and benefits
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $96K to $144K. Our positions offer eligibility for multiple incentives an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.
Cell Therapy
- Date Posted
- 12-Nov-2026
- Closing Date
- 19-Nov-2026
Equal opportunity and legal notices
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.
From AstraZeneca's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on November 13, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
Rolev.ai is a job search and application tool for US job seekers. For this Senior Process Engineer, Cell Therapy Process Development role at AstraZeneca, it shows how your resume fits, tailors your resume to the posting, and prepares the application for you to review.
See how you fit
Openings from employer career sites are ranked against your whole resume—and searchable inside Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor via Rolev.ai MCP.
Tailor without inventing
Every change to your resume is checked against your original. New experience goes in only with your yes—zero fabricated claims.
Draft the full kit
Tailored and Full Match resumes, role-specific cover letters, and answers to employer screening questions are prepared in seconds.
1-Click Extension Autofill
The Chrome extension fills the employer's Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, or Ashby form in 1 click. You review it and press Submit.
Similar roles
- Senior Process EngineerMeans Industries, Inc. · Geneva, IL
- Senior Process Safety Analyst - PSM and RMP Experience RequiredStratas Foods · Decatur, IL · $82.3k – $103k/yr
- Senior Process Engineer - PlasmaNevada State Assembly · US > Arizona > Phoenix
- Senior Process Engineer, OncologyBilliontoone · Menlo Park - Base Building
- Senior Process Engineer, Wet EtchT1 Energy Inc. · Rockdale, TX
- Senior Process Engineer, Mechanical EngineeringTkda · Duluth, MN
Common questions
What is the salary for the Senior Process Engineer, Cell Therapy Process Development role at AstraZeneca?
The Senior Process Engineer, Cell Therapy Process Development posting at AstraZeneca states compensation of $96,000 – $144,000 per year. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on AstraZeneca's official career site.
Where is the Senior Process Engineer, Cell Therapy Process Development job at AstraZeneca located?
This Senior Process Engineer, Cell Therapy Process Development position at AstraZeneca is located in Gaithersburg, MD. Always check AstraZeneca's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
How do I apply for the Senior Process Engineer, Cell Therapy Process Development position at AstraZeneca?
This listing links directly to AstraZeneca's Workday application page. You can apply directly on AstraZeneca's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Workday application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.