Process Engineer 

The day-to-day responsibilities of a Process Engineer in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company may vary depending on the company’s needs and the stage of the manufacturing process.  However, some common tasks and responsibilities of a Process Engineer include: 

• designing and optimising manufacturing processes. Analysing existing manufacturing processes, identifying areas for improvement, and designing new processes or modifying existing ones to optimise production efficiency and quality 
• conducting experiments to evaluate different manufacturing methods, materials and equipment to identify the best options for production  
• ensuring safety and quality of the manufacturing processes for both workers and the medications being produced  
• collaborating with other teams and departments such as research and development, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs to ensure that the manufacturing processes comply with the regulations and standards 
• troubleshooting – identifying and resolving issues that arise during the manufacturing process, such as equipment malfunctions or process deviations 
• maintaining detailed records of the manufacturing processes, including procedures, equipment, materials, and results, to ensure consistency 
• continuously monitoring and evaluating the manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for improvement and implement changes to improve efficiency, quality, and safety 

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Process Engineers need to have a variety of skills to carry out their role, these include:  

• a thorough understanding of the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, including the equipment, systems, and procedures used in the industry 
• strong analytical skills to identify and solve problems in the pharmaceutical process 
• the ability to analyse data, interpret results, and give possible solutions 
• excellent technical skills, such as being able to use design software and also mathematical modelling 
• excellent communication skills  
• project management skills, including developing project timelines, budgets and ensuring the work is completed on time and within budget    
• planning skills for continuous improvement  

The normal salary for a Process Engineer in the pharmaceutical industry can vary depending on a lot of factors, such as location of the site, the level of experience of the engineer and also their qualifications and the company size. 

The average salary is approximately £36,000 to £60,000 or more depending on the factors mentioned above.  

The usual working hours for a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Process Engineer can vary depending on the company and specific role. 

Process Engineers are typically expected to work full-time, which is usually 37 – 40 hours per week.  

However, there may be overtime, especially when deadlines need to be met or when a project requires additional attention.  

Shift work may be required on some sites, where production runs 24/7. 

A pharmaceutical manufacturing Process Engineer can expect to be responsible for the design and implementation of manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical industry.  

In addition to the technical aspects of the job, they can also expect to interact with a variety of stakeholders, including management, regulatory agencies, and other departments within the company. 

Process Engineers will need to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and demonstrate a strong commitment to quality and safety in their work. 

Pharmaceutical Laboratory Technicians will be working in a laboratory in a sterile environment and will have to wear protective clothing in line with the requirements needed for the safe production of different types of pharmaceutical drug.  

Strict quality procedures must be followed and all safety standards relevant to the to the workplace must be met.  You may be working with hazardous chemicals, fumes and toxic waste, therefore it is important that health and safety procedures are followed at all times. 

You will use technical equipment to follow specific scientific methodologies to complete tasks.