Associate Director of Engineering Design & Construction

Employment Information

This role is offered through a third‑party provider; you will be an employee of that provider and not a direct employee of Novartis. You will provide services to Novartis as the end client. Please read on for details.

Novartis touches the lives of a tenth of the world’s population. Every role here, regardless of contract type, makes an impact on human life.

Novartis US partners with external managed service provider Magnit Global to offer engaging temporary contractor opportunities. to learn more about Magnit:

Novartis is seeking an Associate Director of Engineering Design & Construction to oversee the execution of large‑scale capital investment projects critical to the advancement of our technical operations and pharmaceutical manufacturing. This position will be responsible for managing projects throughout their entire lifecycle—from conceptualization to commissioning—ensuring that all deliverables meet established timelines, budgets, and quality benchmarks. The role involves coordinating multidisciplinary teams, implementing advanced engineering solutions, and supporting improvements in plant capacity, safety, and regulatory compliance.

This opportunity offers the ability to contribute significantly to global pharmaceutical manufacturing by providing strategic leadership in engineering.

• Lead execution of large‑scale capital investment projects across assigned platforms and regions
• Develop and implement project strategies aligned with cost, schedule, and quality targets (Capex Plan, recapitalization of equipment, budgeting, etc.)
• Prepare and manage project initiation documents including scope, cost, and risk assessments
• Oversee design coordination and ensure compliance with internal and legal standards
• Drive project procurement and vendor selection processes
• Monitor construction safety plans and conduct regular safety reviews
• Manage project reviews including technical quality and constructability assessments
• Execute commissioning plans and ensure successful project handover to operations
• Support audits and lead facility improvement initiatives for energy and compliance
• Mentor engineering teams and foster professional development across project functions

• BS degree in Engineering or a relevant discipline
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing capital portfolios and major engineering projects
• 5 years’ pharmaceutical industry experience
• Proven leadership in managing external engineering resources and leading cross‑functional teams
• Strong knowledge of project cost control, scheduling, and quality assurance
• Excellent communication and stakeholder alignment skills across technical and business domains
• Proven success delivering safe, effective, and compliant projects in the pharmaceutical industry
• Advanced understanding of HSE standards and GxP/QA compliance
• Fluent in English
• Ability to travel for the role

• Experience leading capital projects >$20M
• Diverse pharmaceutical experience preferred; large molecule, small molecule, aseptic drug substance and aseptic drug product

Durham, NC (Onsite)

$130 - $150 per hour W-2 Only (based on Education/Experience)

12‑month

• Health, dental, vision, 401k (provided minimum eligibility hours are met)

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people who collaborate, support, and inspire each other to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

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.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Magnit at directs