Manufacturing Technician 1

Position Title: Manufacturing Specialist (Upstream / Downstream)

Location: Vacaville, CA

Department: Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

Job Summary

At Lonza, we combine technological innovation with world-class manufacturing to deliver life-saving biotherapeutics. As a Manufacturing Specialist, you will operate highly automated production systems within a cGMP manufacturing environment. You will be responsible for executing cell culture or purification processes, maintaining strict compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and ensuring our facilities remain in a high state of inspection readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• cGMP Operations: Execute routine production processes in Upstream (media preparation, fermentation, seed train, harvest operations) or Downstream (buffer preparation, filtration, tank cleaning, column chromatography).

• Automation & Control Systems: Interface with automated systems to run production cycles, monitor equipment readings, and perform process control tasks.

• Documentation & Quality: Maintain accurate, Right-First-Time execution on manufacturing tickets, labels, and batch records in accordance with cGMP standards. Escalate process discrepancies promptly.

• Preparation & Maintenance: Clean, assemble, sterilize, and set up fixed vessels, tanks, and filtration equipment for production runs.

• EHS & Safety Culture: Adhere strictly to environmental, health, and safety guidelines. Safely handle hazardous materials, report safety/environmental incidents immediately, and proactively support safe work practices.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Communicate effectively within team shifts to support continuous operations and meet facility production demands.

Shift Details & Training

• Schedule Options: Downstream Shift (6:30 AM–6:30 PM or 6:30 PM–6:30 AM); Front Days (Sun–Tues, Alt Wed) or Front Nights (Sun–Tues, Alt Sat).

• Mandatory Training: Requires attendance at a 2-week day training shift (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM) prior to transitioning to the permanent shift pattern.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Technical degree, certification, or college-level coursework in science/engineering preferred.

• Background: We welcome candidates with hands-on mechanical aptitude or relevant technical operational backgrounds, as well as current college students seeking stable shift arrangements.

• Core Competencies: High attention to detail, strict adherence to SOPs and regulatory compliance, strong team communication, and proven resilience in dynamic, high-demand operational settings.

Physical Demands & Environmental Requirements

• Cleanroom & Attire: Ability to adhere to strict cleanroom requirements, including repeated gowning (scrubs, coveralls, lab coats, safety shoes, gloves, eye protection) and refraining from wearing makeup or jewelry.

• Physical Mobility: Ability to stand/walk for up to 90% of a shift, climb up to 30 flights of stairs per shift, and perform repetitive manual tasks (bending, reaching, twisting).

• Lifting & Pushing: Capability to lift up to 40 lbs, carry up to 30 lbs, team-lift heavier loads up to 20 times per shift, and exert up to 50 lbs of push/pull force.

• Industrial Equipment: Ability to pass a DOT physical (including vision, blood pressure, and color/hearing tests) and hold a valid Driver’s License to operate powered industrial trucks.