Project Manager, Engineering

Band Level 4

Job Description

Summary:

Step into a role where your engineering expertise directly shapes the future of life‑changing therapies. As a Project Manager, Engineering at Novartis, you will lead complex capital projects that expand and modernize our manufacturing capabilities, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient delivery for patients worldwide. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, external partners, and site leadership to translate strategy into execution, balancing technical rigor, cost, and timelines.

This is a hands‑on opportunity to drive operational excellence, influence site transformation, and leave a lasting impact in a highly regulated, purpose‑driven environment.

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.

• Lead capital projects from concept through close‑out, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Serve as primary client contact, managing expectations and maintaining strong cross‑functional partnerships.
• Manage project scope, budget, and schedule changes with clear impact analysis and documented approvals.
• Partner with engineering firms to develop detailed, biddable designs, specifications, and construction documents.
• Lead construction execution, coordinating contractors and vendors for facilities, utilities, and equipment installation.
• Develop and manage internal and external resource plans to support project execution demands.
• Prepare funding requests, business cases, and financial justifications for new and expanded projects.
• Identify project risks proactively and implement effective mitigation and contingency plans.
• Report project performance, progress, and issues to site leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Drive operational excellence by capturing lessons learned and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• Seven years of experience delivering capital projects in regulated pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing FDA‑regulated and GMP‑compliant projects within highly regulated facilities.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice systems.
• Experience with capital improvement projects, including process and production layout development.
• Proven capability managing construction projects for facility renovations and brownfield environments.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and multi‑discipline construction drawings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong technical writing capabilities.

• Salary range: $108,500 – $201,500 annually.
• Performance‑based cash incentive.
• Eligibility for annual equity awards depending on the level of the role.
• US‑based eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits.
• Time‑off package includes vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

• Business Continuity
• Cost Management
• Data Analytics and Digital
• Decision Making
• Engineering Operations Management
• Engineering Technical Expertise
• GDP Knowledge
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• HSE Knowledge
• Manufacturing Process (Production)
• Operational Excellence
• Problem Solving
• Project Management
• Quality Compliance
• Resilience and Risk Management
• Resource Planning and Forecasting
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Vendor Management

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 in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e‑mail to  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.

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, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.