Title: Sr. Principal Engineer I
Department: GMP Manufacturing
Exempt/Non-exempt: Exempt
Job Location: South San Francisco, CA
Job Description
Kanvas Biosciences is looking for an outstanding Sr. Principal Engineer to join our growing team of microbial specialists. You will:
- Utilize State-of-the-Art Technology: Engage with the latest advancements in microbial imaging and sequencing to push the boundaries of research.
- Work with a Dynamic Team: Work in a vibrant environment teeming with motivated professionals, working together towards achieving excellence.
- Assist in Novel Development Programs: Work directly with senior scientists to build complex LBPs as part of a new frontier in health and biology.
Description of Role
We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Process Engineer with hands-on experience with tech transfer and/or GMP manufacturing to support our clinical and commercial production operations. The ideal candidate will be responsible for implementing, executing, and improving novel manufacturing processes for drug substance and drug product manufacturing. This role will be critical to ensure compliance, process robustness, and operational efficiency in a regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
This role is lab-based and collaborative, with an emphasis on experimental execution, data interpretation, and communication. You will:
- Lead the tech transfer and execution of microbiome-based GMP drug substance and drug product manufacturing processes.
- Support scale up and tech transfer of microbiome-based drug substance and drug product processes.
- Lead GMP-readiness activities for batch production
- Technical SME for GMP manufacturing operations and equipment (e.g., single use bioreactors, tangential flow filtration, blending, encapsulation, etc).
- Lead the design and procurement of GMP manufacturing equipment
- Lead facility, equipment, and process start up (e.g., CQV activities, pilot batches/engineering batches, etc)
- Lead the design, procurement, and implementation of a single use technology platform for GMP manufacturing
- Author and revise batch records, SOPs, and work instructions.
- Collaborate with Quality, Process Development, and Engineering teams to troubleshoot and resolve manufacturing issues.
- Monitor and analyze manufacturing data to identify process improvements and CAPAs.
- Provide on-the-floor support during batch execution, deviations, and audits.
- Lead or support investigations for deviations, OOS/OOT, and non-conformances.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable GMP regulations and internal quality standards
- Lead teams during batch campaigns or facility startup projects and serve as a mentor to junior team members.
Key Qualifications
We are seeking a scientifically curious, hands-on researcher with the following background:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Biochemical, or related discipline) with 6 – 8 years of experience in GMP manufacturing operations and/or process engineering in biotech, pharma, or CDMO settings.
- Experience supporting/leading tech transfer and clinical manufacturing for fermentation-based biopharma products. Hand-on experience with single use bioreactors (Bioflo, Cytiva), TFF systems, and single use mixing systems preferred.
- Experience authoring GMP documents such as batch records and SOPs.
- Experience with equipment start up and/or facility start up is preferred.
- Experience with the design and implementation of single-use manufacturing technologies (e.g., tubing sets, bag designs, connector technology)
- Experience with equipment start up and/or facility start up is preferred
- Experience with aseptic processing, anaerobic fermentation/processing, and/or oral solid/liquid dosage forms is a plus.
- Familiarity with quality systems such as deviations, investigations, CAPAs, and change control.
- Understanding of cGMP, FDA, and ICH guidelines.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, manage junior staff, or serve as the technical lead in cross-functional manufacturing activities.
Additional Information
This is a fully onsite, lab-based role in South San Francisco, CA.
- Start date is immediate upon completion of the interview process.
- Salary will be commensurate with local industry standards and experience ($150,000+) and includes benefits.
- The role reports to the VP of Process Development and Manufacturing.
How to Apply:
Please send your resume or CV to colleen@kanvasbio.com