Associate Director, Process Validation and Tech Transfers

Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities including RNAi silencing and RNA editing provides us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline is focused on our obesity, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and PNPLA3 I148M liver disease programs and includes clinical programs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease, as well as several preclinical programs utilizing our versatile RNA medicines platform.  Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.

Description

The Associate Director, Process Validation and Tech Transfers plays a critical role in leading and overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of validation master plans, process performance qualifications (PPQ), and continued process verification (CPV). This individual is responsible for guiding process validation studies, particularly those specialized in oligonucleotides and siRNAs, ensuring all activities comply with cGMP, FDA, ICH, and ISO standards. Serving as the technical subject matter expert during regulatory audits and inspections, the Associate Director bridges process development with at-scale GMP manufacturing at contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs). The role involves authoring, reviewing, and approving technical documentation, including validation protocols, reports, and risk assessments, while also leading investigations into process failures and deviations. The Associate Director collaborates closely with manufacturing, QA/QC, and development teams for technology transfer, equipment qualification, and provides technical expertise to manufacturing technicians. Maintaining strict quality standards and cGMP practices throughout the process, this position acts as a liaison between Process Development and Manufacturing, supporting the scale-up of existing processes to manufacturing-ready levels. 

Experience

• M.S. or Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, chemistry, or engineering is preferred, or equivalent work experience
• 8 years bio-pharma manufacturing industry experience in a cGMP environment
• Oligonucleotide manufacturing and PPQ experience is required

Responsibilities

May include some or all the following:

• Authoring and optimizing "recipes" (method files) on the OligoPilot 400 (OP-400), Purification and Lyophilization unit operations
• Leading the transition from bench-scale (1-4 mmol) to the OP-400 (25-100 mmol) and potentially commercial scale manufacturing
• Provide technical leadership with a deep understanding of phosphoramidite chemistry, including the handling of specialized siRNA modifications 
• Support DoE (Design of Experiments) to determine the "proven acceptable ranges" (PAR) for synthesis and purification for PPQ readiness
• Supporting the transfer of siRNA processes to CDMOs during pre-PPQ and PPQ activities
• Authoring and reviewing Master Batch Records (MBRs), SOPs, and Campaign Summary Reports
• Providing on-site technical support during GMP and PPQ production runs 
• Provide support to manufacturing associates in the production of oligonucleotides, including synthesis, C&D, purification, desalting, and lyophilization 
• Recognizes and initiates process deviations, investigations, and CAPAs during GMP manufacturing
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas needing improvement, recommending strategies for improvement, and helping to implement those strategies once approved
• Respond quickly and effectively to multiple and changing priorities, and to schedule work effectively to ensure that current and future needs are met
• Accurately and consistently record methods, materials, and results in batch records according to established formats
• Primary contact from manufacturing to ensure proper process transfers internally and externally (CMOs)
• Technical review of batch records and process instructions internally and externally (CMOs) 
• Participate in meetings to identify and troubleshoot manufacturing issues internally and externally (CMOs) 
• Drafting technical sections for regulatory filings (IND/NDA), specifically focusing on Module 3 (Drug Substance).

Key Skills

• Expert-level proficiency in solid-phase synthesis and UNICORN™ software (used by OP-400) preferred, and recipe writing experience is must
• Hands-on experience with ASO, siRNA (double-stranded RNA), and the specific challenges of RNA stability and duplexing.
• Thorough understanding of 21 CFR Part 11 and ICH guidelines (Q7- Q11).

Pay Range External Disclosure Statement

The annual base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $230,000.

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the annual base salary pay range for this position at the time of posting. Actual annual base salary will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, qualifications, position criticality, and internal equity.  This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and discretionary stock-based long-term incentives.  In addition to compensation, Wave offers a comprehensive and competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical and financial health and overall well-being. These include, but are not limited to, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability insurances, generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), 401K participation with matching contributions, and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Wave Life Sciences provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wave Life Sciences complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Wave Life Sciences expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Wave Life Sciences’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

We value our relationships with professional recruitment firms. To protect the interests of all parties, and given the large volume of inquiries received from third-party placement agencies, we are not able to respond to all agency inquiries. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates for current or future positions. Submission of unsolicited resumes in advance of a signed agreement between our company and a placement agency does not create an implied obligation and, if an unsolicited candidate represented by a placement agency is hired, we are not obligated to pay a fee. Only approved recruitment firms will be allowed to provide services to Wave Life Sciences, USA.

Salary : $170,000 - $230,000