Senior Director, Global Engineering

Avantor

. Define and execute Avantor’s global engineering strategy aligned with growth, operational excellence, and sustainability goals .

Posted 10/9/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $167,500 - $282,325 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in global engineering strategy execution, capital program management, and regulatory compliance within the chemical and life sciences sectors. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, drive operational excellence, and implement Industry 4.0 technologies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Global Engineering StrategyProcess Safety Management (PSM)Capital Program ManagementDigital Manufacturing IntegrationLean and Six Sigma Methodologies

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Process EngineeringDiscrete Automated Manufacturing SystemsOverall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)Root-Cause AnalysisAutomation StandardsAdvanced AnalyticsGMP ComplianceRegulatory CompliancePlant Builds and ExpansionsEngineering Budget Management

Soft Skills

LeadershipCollaborationCoachingAccountabilityInnovation

Tools & Technologies

PLC/SCADAMES IntegrationEPC ManagementIT/OT IntegrationSmart-Factory Solutions

Certifications & Qualifications

PMP CertificationMaster's Degree in Engineering or Related Field

Industry Keywords

ChemicalLife SciencesPharmaceuticalRegulated EnvironmentsContinuous Improvement

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AssemblyCyber SecurityPMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and execute Avantor’s global engineering strategy aligned with growth, operational excellence, and sustainability goals
Translate strategy into functional objectives, governance structures, and execution roadmaps
Establish global engineering standards, design principles, and best practices
Serve on the operations PMO leadership team and influence manufacturing footprint, capacity, and technology decisions
Own and govern global capital programs up to $50M and capital projects up to $150M, including plant builds, expansions, and infrastructure investments
Lead projects through concept development, FEED, design, execution, commissioning, and handover
Drive alignment across operations, supply chain, quality, EHS, and finance on scope, schedule, budget, and business-case KPIs
Establish automation standards and upgrade strategies for existing and next-generation equipment
Integrate manufacturing systems with enterprise digital platforms and partner with IT, digital, and cybersecurity teams
Deploy Industry 4.0 technologies, advanced analytics, and smart-factory solutions
Develop asset lifecycle and reliability strategies to improve uptime, maintainability, and cost efficiency
Improve enterprise-wide Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and operational predictability
Apply Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, and systemic corrective actions
Provide technical leadership in discrete assembly and fill, chemical processing, scale-up, and optimization
Guide deployment of automated manufacturing systems, robotics, PLC/SCADA, MES integration, and advanced controls
Ensure processes and engineering designs meet GMP, ISO, regulatory, corporate safety, and customer requirements
Ensure compliance with PSM, including PHA, HAZOP, mechanical integrity, and MOC
Embed inherent safety, risk-based decisions, containment, and environmental stewardship into engineering execution
Lead, coach, and develop director-level and managerial talent
Manage workforce planning, hiring, staffing, resource allocation, and people-management decisions
Foster accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across the organization
Collaborate with operations, quality, supply chain, regulatory affairs, and commercial teams
Manage external relationships with EPC firms, vendors, equipment suppliers, and technology providers
Balance global standardization with regional regulatory and market requirements

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Operations, or related discipline
15+ years of progressive engineering and operations leadership experience in chemical, life sciences, pharmaceutical, or similarly regulated environments
Experience leading global engineering organizations and capital portfolios, including Programs up to $20M and plant builds and expansions above $100M
Strong background in process engineering and discrete automated manufacturing systems
Expertise in Process Safety Management (PSM) and regulatory compliance
Experience managing new plant builds, large-scale expansions, and brownfield transformations
Track record of building and leading high-performing technical and leadership teams
Master’s degree preferred in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or an MBA
PMP certification from the Project Management Institute preferred
Experience in multi-site global organizations with complex supply chains
Exposure to digital manufacturing, IT/OT integration, MES, EBR systems, and advanced controls
Prior responsibility for engineering budgets, capital allocation, and portfolio governance
Familiarity with GMP, ISO 9001/13485, and other regulated quality systems
Ability to lead in complex and ambiguous situations and exercise independent judgment
Experience with discrete assembly and fill, chemical processing, scale-up, and optimization within regulated environments
Knowledge of robotics, PLC/SCADA, MES integration, and advanced controls
Knowledge of PHA, HAZOP, mechanical integrity, and management of change (MOC)
Ability to collaborate with global, cross-functional stakeholders and external EPC firms, vendors, equipment suppliers, and technology providers

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Wellness programs
Health savings accounts
Flexible spending accounts
401(k) plan with company match
Employee stock purchase program
11 paid holidays
18 PTO days annually
Volunteer time off
6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave, except in states that offer paid family leave
Learning experiences to support career growth and success