Program Manager – Engineering Projects

Company Overview
ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBRX) is a commercial-stage biotechnology company developing cell and immunotherapy products that are designed to help strengthen each patient’s natural immune system, potentially enabling it to outsmart the disease and eliminate cancerous or infected cells. We envision a day when we no longer fear cancer, but can conquer it, thanks to the biological wonder that is the human immune system. Our scientists are working to develop novel therapies that harness that inherent power by amplifying both branches of the immune system, attacking cancerous or infected cells today while building immunological memory for tomorrow. The goal: to reprogram the patient’s immune system and treat the host rather than just the disease.

Why ImmunityBio?
• ImmunityBio is developing cutting-edge technology with the goal to transform the lives of patients with cancer and develop next-generation therapies and vaccines that complement, harness and amplify the immune system to defeat cancers and infectious diseases.
• Opportunity to join a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Southern California.
• Work with a collaborative team with the ability to work across different areas of the company.
• Ability to join a growing company with professional development opportunities.

Position Summary

The Program Manager- Engineering Projects is responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of facility and engineering projects that enable ImmunityBio’s clinical and commercial manufacturing operations, with a strong focus on facility buildouts, utilities, and equipment qualification and validation. This role leads cross-functional project teams through all phases of capital and infrastructure projects, from concept design and funding approval through construction, commissioning, qualification, and handover to operations. The Program Manager- Engineering Projects ensures programs are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with cGMP, building codes, and internal quality standards.

Essential Functions

• Owns end-to-end delivery of assigned facility, utility, and equipment projects from concept through turnover to Operations, acting as the primary point of contact for scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Develops and maintains integrated program plans, including scope definition, milestones, resource plans, budgets, and risk registers for facility buildouts, renovations, and equipment installations.
• Coordinates internal resources and external partners (contractors, vendors, commissioning and qualification providers) to execute the program scope in a highly regulated environment.
• Leads regular project meetings, prepares status reports, and communicates progress, risks, and mitigation strategies to stakeholders and site leadership.
• Identifies critical path activities, dependencies, and potential bottlenecks; develops and implements recovery plans as needed to maintain project commitments.
• Plans, organizes, and directs a wide variety of capital projects including new construction, facility expansions, laboratory and cleanroom buildouts, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Partners with Facilities, Manufacturing, Quality, EHS, and external design teams to ensure facility layouts and building systems (HVAC, utilities, process piping, electrical, controls) meet operational, regulatory, and safety requirements.
• Partners with multiple project teams to ensure completion of all ongoing projects.
• Ensures design and construction are aligned with cGMP requirements for biopharmaceutical operations, including controlled environments, material and personnel flows, and segregation strategies.
• Monitors construction progress, reviews field changes, and assists in resolution of site issues; evaluates and recommends approval of change orders that impact scope, cost, or schedule.
• Leads or coordinates commissioning and qualification activities for new and modified equipment, utilities, and systems in partnership with Engineering, Validation, and Quality.
• Supports development and execution of CQV deliverables (URS, design reviews, FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, summary reports) to ensure equipment is fit for intended use and compliant with regulatory expectations.
• Ensures program and project timelines account for CQV activities, documentation reviews, and regulatory/QA approvals required for GMP release.
• Drives resolution of technical and validation issues during startup and qualification, coordinating cross-functional troubleshooting and escalation as needed.
• Ensures projects are executed in compliance with applicable building and safety codes, environmental regulations, and company standards.
• Partners with EHS to plan and monitor construction safety programs and ensure contractor compliance with site safety requirements.
• Supports internal and external audits/inspections related to facilities, equipment, and validation, including preparation and presentation of project and CQV documentation.
• Develops program and project budgets and cash flow forecasts; tracks and reports capital spend against approved funding.
• Reviews and evaluates vendor and contractor proposals, scopes of work, and change orders; provides recommendations for selection and award.
• Reviews invoices in line with completion milestones and contract terms.
• Facilitates cross-functional communication and decision-making to ensure alignment between Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders.
• Escalates key issues, risks, and decisions to leadership with clear options and recommendations.
• Prepares and delivers project updates to executive and site leadership, including dashboards, presentations, and written reports.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or relevant field required.
• 3+ years of engineering program/project management experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or other regulated life sciences manufacturing environment is required.
• Experience with facility buildouts and equipment CQV strongly preferred.
• Experience leading capital or infrastructure projects involving construction, utilities, and equipment installation in cGMP or similarly regulated environments preferred.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, external design and construction partners, and multiple stakeholders in a matrixed organization preferred.
• Hands-on experience with both traditional (Waterfall) and Agile or hybrid project management methodologies preferred.
• PMP or other project management certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated successful leadership competencies (diligence, planning, analysis, and communication).
• Skillful use of interpersonal skills and influence to accomplish work without formal authority and to ensure optimal team performance.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, which enable successful collaboration with executive level stakeholders.
• Strong experience facilitating project team meetings, cross-functional communication and decision making, and ensuring alignment with internal and external stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, problem solving, matrix management, and collaboration in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions to problems
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed organization
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically when planning, managing teams, and managing processes.
• Solid understanding of facility and utility systems (e.g., clean utilities, process gases, HVAC, process equipment) and their impact on GMP operations.
• Working knowledge of commissioning and validation principles, including development and execution of IQ/OQ/PQ protocols and related documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and compliance.
• Proficiency with project management tools and MS Office (e.g., MS Project or equivalent, Excel, PowerPoint, Word); familiarity with CAD or BIM tools is a plus.

Working Environment / Physical Environment

• This position works on site. One position will be based in El Segundo, California, the second role will be Dunkirk, New York.
• Regular work schedule is Monday – Friday, within standard business hours.  Flexibility is available with manager approval.
• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and in construction/plant environments, and to use standard office equipment, including a computer.
• Lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

This position is eligible for a discretionary bonus and equity award. The annual base pay range for this position is below. The specific rate will depend on the successful candidate’s qualifications, prior experience as well as geographic location.

National Market (all markets unless identified as Premium)

$95,400 (entry-level qualifications) to $106,000 (highly experienced) annually

Premium Market (Premium markets include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, & Boston)

$103,500 (entry-level qualifications) to $115,000 (highly experienced) annually

The application window is anticipated to close on 60 days from when it is posted or sooner if the position is filled or closed.

ImmunityBio employees are as valuable as the people we serve. We have built a resource of robust benefit offerings to best support the total wellbeing of our team members and their families. Our competitive total rewards benefits package, for eligible employees, include: Medical, Dental and Vision Plan Options • Health and Financial Wellness Programs • Employer Assistance Program (EAP) • Company Paid and Voluntary Life/AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability • Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match • 529 Education Savings Program • Voluntary Legal Services, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance and Employee Discounts, Rewards and Perks • Paid Time Off (PTO) includes: 11 Holidays • Exempt Employees are eligible for Unlimited PTO • Non-Exempt Employees are eligible for 10 Vacation Days, 56 Hours of Health Pay, 2 Personal Days and 1 Cultural Day •  We are committed to providing you with the tools and resources you need to optimize your Health and Wellness.

At ImmunityBio, we are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to diversity in the workplace. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.