Pharma Utilities Engineering Manager - Project Farma

This is a full-time salaried position with Project Farma, a PerkinElmer company. The successful candidate will reside in the Raleigh-Durham market and be willing to travel domestically, to meet client project requests.

The Utilities Engineering Manager is responsible for the overall ownership, performance, and compliance of clean and black utility systems supporting regulated manufacturing operations. This role provides technical leadership, system oversight, and strategic direction across utilities including HVAC, WFI, clean steam, CIP systems, autoclaves, parts washers, and high-purity gases. The Utilities Manager partners closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Manufacturing, Quality, and Validation teams to ensure systems operate reliably, efficiently, and in full compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and serves as a primary technical authority for utility systems and related capital projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the system owner for assigned clean and black utility systems, including generation, distribution, instrumentation, and automation.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight for HVAC, clean utilities (WFI, clean steam), black utilities (chilled water, plant steam), CIP systems, autoclaves, parts washers, and high-purity gas systems.
• Lead conceptual, preliminary, and detailed engineering for new utility systems and modifications to existing equipment.
• Generate, review, and approve P&IDs, wiring diagrams, control panel layouts, and technical specifications.
• Oversee system startup, commissioning, qualification, troubleshooting, and optimization activities.
• Ensure utilities operate within defined regulatory, safety, and process limits.
• Partner with Validation and Quality teams to support investigations, deviations, and regulatory inspections.
• Manage vendor relationships during equipment fabrication, installation, repair, and service activities.
• Support capital project planning, including scope development, cost estimates, equipment procurement, and project approvals.
• Establish and manage preventive and routine maintenance strategies in collaboration with Maintenance.
• Lead and support change control activities, including automation and system changes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and stay current with emerging technologies and cGMP expectations.
  
  

Experience Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5–8 years of experience in utilities engineering, facilities engineering, or system ownership within a regulated manufacturing environment (biopharmaceutical, life sciences, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience supporting clean utility systems, HVAC, and regulated facility operations.
• Experience with commissioning, qualification, and cGMP compliance.
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound technical judgment.
• Experience leading projects, vendors, or technical workstreams.
  
  

Other Preferred

• Prior experience serving as a system owner for clean utility systems.
• Familiarity with ASTM E2500 and/or ISPE Baseline Guides.
• Experience with automation systems such as Allen-Bradley PLCs and DCS platforms (e.g., DeltaV).
• Experience in the design, installation, and qualification of cGMP HVAC systems supporting classified spaces including cascading pressure; filtered, single pass and monitored.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across functions.
• High degree of technical competence, problem-solving ability, and decision-making confidence.
• Ability to represent the organization as a primary technical contact on utility-related matters.
  
  

Project Farma is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. PerkinElmer is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We will not sponsor applicants for current or future work visas for this position. This position may require significant travel to support project and business needs. We cannot employ anyone with an invalid driver's license.

The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $110,000 - 160,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.