Apply to Engineer, Biotech - Synthetics/Small Molecule Processes (JP14658)

Job Title: Engineer, Biotech - Synthetics/Small Molecule Processes (JP14658)
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca 91320
Business Unit: DTS Synthetics
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: 1+ years with likely extensions and/or conversion to a permanent position.
Rate: $38 - $42/hour W2
Posting Date: 10/20/2025.
Notes: Fully Onsite - Lab Based - Standard Hours

3 Key Consulting is hiring! We are recruiting an Engineer for a consulting engagement with our direct client, a leading global biotechnology company.

Ideal Candidate:
M.S. or B.S. with 2+ years of experience
Lab experience in synthetic chemistry (small molecules preferred)
Bonus: Experience with data automation

Job Description:
In this dynamic role you will be managing activities in the High-Pressure Development Lab (HPDL), supporting high throughput experiment (HTE) solubility/crystallization screening work, and HTE reaction screening automation workflows within the Drug Substance Technologies – Synthetics (DSTS) group. These workflows support activities across all stages of process development in the synthetics portfolio, including route selection, process optimization, and process characterization. The candidate will work under the supervision of the HPDL and HTE Owners and will be onsite lab support.

Responsibilities for this role include:

Management of high-pressure reactors in the HPDL and provide hands-on training and oversight to the users of the equipment.
Advancement of automation capabilities for HPDL/HTE lab equipment and data management.
Author, review, and approve of documentation needed for equipment management and experimental activities.
Lead lab inventory management including monitoring usage, ordering, and restocking of consumables.
Monitor training compliance and participate in EHSS risk assessments.
Design, execution, and interpretation of HTE solubility/crystallization screening activities including solid-state characterization (XRPD, DSC/TGA, HPLC and similar methods) to support project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

An ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or chemistry with 2 years of synthetic lab experience.
Command of chemical lab operations and associated safety practices.
Ability to work in a team environment, collaborating with various colleagues in process development including process chemists and analytical chemists, as well as cross-functional collaboration with Environmental, Health, Safety, & Sustainability, Facilities & Engineering, lab management, and third-party vendors.
Experience with X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) or thermal analysis (DSC/TGA) is a plus.
Interest, skills, and motivation for advancing lab activities and management with wide impact.
Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced team environment to ensure continuity, efficiency, and reliability of lab operations.
Excellent presentation, written and verbal skills.
Knowledge of basic office software including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Top Must Have Skill Sets:
• Lab expertise
• Data logging/automation
• Communication

Day to Day Responsibilities:
Routine user support for experiments:

Act as superuser of all high-pressure development equipment.
Provide hands-on training and oversight for new users and refresher training to previous users.
Represent organization within a multi-functional team to ensure deliverables are aligned with timeline, such that key achievements are established and achieved.
Author, review, and/or approve of process documentation needed for equipment management and experimental activities.

Equipment upkeep and maintenance:

Coordinate equipment scheduling for new experiment requests.
Submit work orders, independently manage equipment maintenance and support equipment troubleshooting.
Support preventative maintenance operations related to lab equipment and utilities
Monitor reactive gas inventory, coordinate gas reservoir refills and cylinder replacements.
Lead lab inventory management including monitoring usage, ordering, and restocking of consumables.
Establish management system for equipment replacement parts and maintain stock.
Expertise with lab equipment handling and repair to troubleshoot challenges.

Lab improvements and knowledge management format:

Support authoring of training documentation for lab operations and equipment.
Monitor training compliance and coordinate training refreshers through company training system.
Participate in and curate content for core and steering team meetings.
Work closely with process development chemists and engineers to generate and interpret data to provide improved understanding and guidance.
Lead efforts to upgrade aging equipment (100 mL EasyMax and 5 L Buchi)
Identify scope and implementation plan for retrievable data logging (pressure, temperature, and gas uptake) from equipment
Identify HTE activities that can be automated and minimize manual intervention

Interview Process:
2 interviews for a candidate: one hour panel and then half an hour call with director

We invite qualified candidates to send your resume to resumes@3keyconsulting.com. If you decide that you’re not interested in pursuing this particular position, please feel free to take a look at the other positions on our website www.3keyconsulting.com/careers. You are also welcome to share this opportunity with anyone you think might be interested in applying for this role.