Principal Project Manager, Engineering

Job Description Summary

Join Novartis and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of advanced therapies through high-impact engineering and capital projects. As a Principal Project Manager, Engineering, you will lead complex initiatives that directly support manufacturing capabilities, operational excellence, and site growth. This is an opportunity to influence strategic investments, collaborate with cross-functional experts, and drive projects from concept through completion in a highly innovative and regulated environment. If you are passionate about delivering meaningful results, solving complex challenges, and helping bring life-changing therapies to patients, we invite you to be part of our mission.

Job Description

Location

• This position will be located in Durham, NC and will be an onsite role.
• Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead capital engineering projects from initiation through closeout, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, risks, and change controls while driving successful outcomes.
• Serve as the primary stakeholder contact, building strong partnerships across business and technical teams.
• Direct contractors, vendors, and cross-functional project teams to achieve project objectives safely and efficiently.
• Support site master planning, facility assessments, and strategic capital investment initiatives.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across engineering and manufacturing projects.
• Mentor project managers and contribute to the development of project management best practices.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Extensive experience managing capital projects within pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice regulations and regulated manufacturing operations.
• Experience supporting cell culture, recovery, purification, or aseptic manufacturing processes.
• Proven expertise in project planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and change control.
• Experience leading facility upgrades, renovations, process improvements, or capital investment projects.
• Strong understanding of United States Food and Drug Administration regulations and quality systems.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and technical writing skills.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $138,600 and $245,700 Annually.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

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EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$138,600.00 - $257,400.00

Skills Desired

Business Continuity, Cost Management, Decision Making, Operational Excellence, Problem Solving, Project Management, Quality Compliance, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Vendor Management