Director, Facilities Engineering

Job Description

General/Position Summary:

The Director, Facilities Engineering is a pivotal role within Global Operations & Real Estate department, with a wide range of responsibilities for the company’s real estate portfolio, which consists of research and development, GMP manufacturing, office, and other types of facilities. The role oversees and manages the Project Engineering, GMP Site Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, and Engineering Documentation teams ensuring effective leadership, performance management, and alignment with organizational goals.  The Facilities Engineering group works very closely with all levels of the Capital Project Management Office (PMO), Facilities & Operations, and various GMP manufacturing teams.

The Director leads the development and implementation of company-wide engineering management processes, establishes facility design guidelines, policies, and standard operating procedures, spearheads energy resource reduction initiatives, contributes to sustainability efforts, and identifies opportunities to enhance the value provided by the Facilities Engineering team across the enterprise.  The Director supports capital projects from conceptualization to detailed design, providing engineering support during construction, startup, testing, commissioning, and ensuring smooth operations throughout the lifecycle of the facilities.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Align site priorities and justify capital projects to meet the needs of internal and external sites within financial constraints
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying operational bottlenecks and gaps, and developing actionable implementation plans
• Lead, author, and review regulatory filing documentation related to facilities, equipment, and infrastructure for agencies such as OSHA, FDA, and EPA
• Collaborate with cross-departmental leaders to achieve corporate and departmental objectives
• Provide leadership in science-driven strategic decisions, leveraging expertise and experience in GMP facility design, operations, and compliance
• Lead engineering assessments for new capital projects, research and development equipment, manufacturing equipment, and other corporate initiatives
• Facilitate and conduct design reviews to support the PMO team, ensuring high standards of care, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and compliance in engineered designs
• Partner with in-house scientific teams to stay informed about evolving science and technology
• Manage in-house teams and external consultants for key commissioning projects, as needed
• Develop and maintain global engineering specifications for current and future projects
• Support internal and external resources in site, project, and advanced manufacturing engineering to ensure effective execution of responsibilities
• Support continuous BMS systems across the major facilities worldwide
• Ensure compliance with local, state, federal, and international regulations
• Spearhead initiatives to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and enhance sustainability in facilities and equipment
• Collaborate with Facilities and Operations, Process/Analytical Development, GMP Manufacturing, R&D groups, EH&S, Capital Project Management, and other teams to achieve strategic objectives
• Provide engineering leadership and problem-solving expertise for all Vertex facilities, systems, and equipment to ensure optimal design and efficient operations
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement in engineering services
• Oversee critical project documentation at closeout, including engineering turnover packages (ETOP),  and BIM/Revit documents
• Lead the engineering document management program, including building models, drawings, and associated documentation, ensuring integration into computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)

Required Education Level:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline is required
• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or a related discipline is preferred but not mandatory

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, including at least 2 years in planning, design, and execution of GMP/R&D/office facility-focused engineering projects, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least 3 years of supervisory or management experience in an engineering role, overseeing planning, design, and execution of facility-focused engineering projects
• Proven experience in managing and leading a team of 15 to 20 full-time employees and 40+ full-time contractors, with a demonstrated ability to foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and achieve team objectives

Required Knowledge/Skills:

• Adaptability to change and the ability to respond quickly to evolving circumstances
• Strong self-management skills and a proactive approach to identifying and acting on improvement opportunities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly
• Proficiency in navigating and succeeding in a fast-paced, matrixed work environment
• Strong time management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
• In-depth knowledge of current regulatory expectations
• Experience in supporting GMP manufacturing and research and development environments within the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, or other regulated industries
• Expertise in mechanical systems and advanced knowledge of other core facility engineering disciplines, including electrical, plumbing, and fire protection
• Familiarity with building management systems (BMS), instruments and controls, solvent distribution systems, and personnel exposure control
• Extensive experience in detailed design, installation, startup, testing, and commissioning of facility systems
• Proficiency in office and R&D facility design, including architectural elements, lighting controls, FF&E, and specialty R&D equipment
• Experience in energy reduction and sustainability initiatives, including securing energy reduction rebates and participating in national environmental and sustainability reporting programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of engineering best practices, cGMP, regulated facility design, compliance requirements, and validation processes in the pharmaceutical industry
• Proficiency in tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, Autodesk Vault, MS Project, MS Visio, MS Office Suite, CMMS systems, and monitoring systems for GMP compliance
• Skilled in leveraging AI and machine learning to predict equipment failures, reduce downtime, and utilizing Smart Building Technologies in facility operations

Pay Range:

$186,400 - $279,600

Disclosure Statement:

Flex Designation:

On-Site Designated

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.  

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

#LI-Onsite

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com