Manufacturing Associate Level 1

Are you looking to build a stable, rewarding career in life sciences and contribute to manufacturing life-changing medicines? Join our production team in Vacaville, CA, as a Manufacturing Associate, where you will interface with state-of-the-art automated systems to produce innovative bio-therapeutic medicines in a high-tech cGMP environment.

This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

• Shift Options:

  • Back Days: Thursday – Saturday, every other Wednesday (06:00 – 18:30)

  • Back Nights: Wednesday – Friday, every other Saturday (18:00 – 06:30)

• Initial Training: Mandatory 2-week day shift onboarding period upon hire (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) before transitioning to your assigned shift.

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.

• An inclusive and ethical workplace.

• Competitive hourly rate.

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

• Execute routine mammalian cell culture manufacturing tasks across Upstream (media prep, fermentation, harvest, seed train) or Downstream (tank operations, filtration, column chromatography, buffer prep) production areas.

• Interface with highly automated production control systems, computerized inventory tools, and business applications.

• Prepare, assemble, clean, and sterilize equipment, fixed vessel systems, and filtration units according to strict procedures.

• Maintain detail-oriented documentation in compliance with cGMP and SOP guidelines to ensure Right-First-Time manufacturing.

• Safely handle, aliquot, and transfer raw materials, components, and hazardous chemicals.

• Maintain production spaces in a high state of inspection readiness and active continuous improvement.

• Communicate effectively within a collaborative team environment and escalate process issues to ensure swift resolution.

• Experience: Hands-on experience in fast-paced, process-driven environments (e.g., food service/retail operations, military service, mechanical/technical trades) or hands-on biomanufacturing coursework.

• Skills: Strong detail orientation, mechanical aptitude, procedural discipline, and the ability to operate effectively within highly regulated environments without improvising.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a focus on accurate record-keeping and teamwork.

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Advanced college coursework, technical degrees, or certifications are highly preferred.

• Physical & Environmental Agility: Ability to stand/walk for up to 90% of a shift, lift up to 40 lbs, climb stairs, wear cleanroom gowning/PPE, and adapt to variable shift schedules including weekends.

At Lonza, their people are their greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, their globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Their core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who they are and how they work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work they want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, they value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

As Lonza’s talent acquisition partner, please note, Randstad is responsible for the engagement and contracting of this contingent role.

Ready to play your part in shaping the future of life sciences? Apply now.