Senior Director, Facilities and Engineering

George Higginson is currently partnered with a leading biologics CDMO that is looking to appoint a Senior Director, Head of Facilities & Engineering to lead its Facilities, Engineering, Maintenance, and EHS operations in San Diego, CA.

This is a senior leadership opportunity responsible for driving operational excellence, facility reliability, engineering strategy, and continuous improvement within a highly regulated cGMP manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will report directly to the VP of Global Engineering & Manufacturing, overseeing critical site infrastructure, capital projects, and engineering operations while playing a key role in the site's leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all Facilities, Engineering, Maintenance, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) operations.
• Lead preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and calibration programs to ensure equipment reliability and operational readiness.
• Oversee external Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) providers, ensuring contractual compliance, service quality, and operational performance.
• Manage departmental budgets, CAPEX planning, engineering investments, and facility improvement initiatives.
• Lead facility upgrades, equipment installations, engineering projects, and infrastructure development.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP, FDA, EMA, MHRA, and applicable regulatory and safety requirements.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to improve equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and optimize operational efficiency.
• Lead, mentor, and develop engineering and facilities teams while collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, and senior site leadership.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of Facilities & Engineering experience within a cGMP-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or biologics manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of leadership experience , including managing supervisory personnel and contributing to departmental strategy.
• Strong technical expertise in HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and facility infrastructure systems.
• Proven experience managing preventive maintenance, calibration programs, and manufacturing equipment reliability.
• Demonstrated experience with CAPEX planning, budget management, and engineering project delivery.
• Experience overseeing external facilities management providers, contractors, or outsourced engineering services.
• Strong understanding of FDA regulations, cGMP compliance, EHS requirements, and engineering best practices.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established and growing biologics CDMO in a highly influential leadership position, with responsibility for shaping engineering strategy, driving operational improvements, and ensuring the reliability of critical manufacturing infrastructure.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary team, influence strategic investment decisions, and play a pivotal role in supporting the development and manufacture of life-changing biologic therapies.

Interested in learning more?

Apply directly or contact George Higginson at AL Solutions for a confidential discussion.