Regional Director, Engineering - Clinical Trials

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

Thermo Fisher Scientific Clinical Trials Division (CTD) is a rapidly growing, dynamic end-to-end pharma services platform that is seeking sharp individuals to bring the highest quality processes, products and testing to our clients. Our employees are committed to making a difference in our organization, for our client partners and the patients we serve.

The job:

The Regional Director, Engineering provides strategic engineering leadership across the region (Americas or EMEA) ensuring engineering capability, capital investment, asset reliability, infrastructure planning, and engineering governance support the long-term growth of the Clinical Trials Division. Reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering for CTD, this role is accountable for developing regional engineering strategy, leading the regional capital portfolio, driving engineering standards, enabling operational excellence, and building organizational capability across the engineering network.

The Regional Director partners closely with regional business leaders, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Global Engineering and site leadership to ensure engineering investments are aligned with business priorities while delivering safe, compliant, reliable and scalable operations.

This role can be based at either our Allschwill (Switzerland), or Horsham (UK) sites.  It provides oversight to all CTD locations within the EMEA region.  Significant time may be spent at the appropriate CTD facilities within the region, including up to 50% travel to network locations globally.

What will you do?

                                            

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the regional engineering strategy aligned with CTD business objectives, driving long-term infrastructure, engineering capability, and operational excellence across the regional network.
• Lead regional engineering planning, including site master plans, multi-year capital investment strategies, and engineering roadmaps that support business growth, capacity expansion, and business continuity.
• Drive standardization and governance by establishing consistent engineering standards, project governance, and best practices while ensuring alignment with global engineering initiatives and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with regional and global leadership to prioritize strategic investments, develop engineering organizational capability, and build a high-performing engineering culture through talent development, succession planning, and cross-functional collaboration.

Technical Leadership

• Provide strategic engineering leadership to regional sites, ensuring facilities, utilities, equipment, automation, and infrastructure support safe, compliant, and efficient operations.
• Drive engineering excellence by standardizing technical practices, promoting innovation, and leveraging enterprise expertise to improve reliability, scalability, and operational performance.
• Lead technical risk management, including asset lifecycle planning, infrastructure modernization, sustainability initiatives, and engineering support for business growth and client opportunities.
• Develop engineering capability by coaching engineering leaders, fostering technical excellence, and building a strong pipeline of engineering talent across the region.

Capital Portfolio & Project Management

• Own the regional capital investment portfolio, establishing priorities that align with strategic business objectives, regulatory requirements, and operational needs.
• Lead capital governance by ensuring consistent project management standards, portfolio reviews, business case development, and effective allocation of engineering resources.
• Ensure successful project execution by driving delivery to scope, schedule, budget, quality, and operational readiness while proactively managing project risks.
• Monitor portfolio performance through standardized metrics, financial oversight, and executive reporting to ensure achievement of business value and return on investment.

Engineering Governance & Operational Excellence

• Establish and sustain regional engineering governance, driving standardized engineering processes, decision-making, and compliance with corporate engineering standards.
• Lead operational excellence initiatives focused on maintenance and reliability, asset utilization, predictive maintenance, and continuous improvement across the regional network.
• Drive implementation of engineering standards for capital execution, equipment lifecycle management, and facility operations to improve consistency and operational performance.
• Measure and improve engineering performance through KPIs, bench-marking, and data-driven initiatives that enhance reliability, productivity, and cost effectiveness.

Who we are looking for:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline required.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Professional Engineering (PE), Chartered Engineer (CEng), or Project Management certification (PMP) is desirable.

Experience:

• 10+ years of related experience in the Pharmaceutical or related industry including experience in engineering, operations, program and project management.
• 5+ years of experience in a functional leadership position within two or more areas including Process Engineering, Facilities/Engineering, Maintenance, Automation, I&C, Validation or related functions.
• Expertise in design, qualification, and operation of facilities, utilities, equipment, along with automation used in the Manufacturing and Packaging of Clinical Trials.
• Experience in building and leading high-performing teams to deliver results.
• Understanding of applicable regulatory requirements and industry guidance (esp. FDA, EMA, ICH, ISPE).  Audit experienced is preferred.
• Familiar with current issues and trends related to clinical trials and FDA regulations.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strategic leadership with the ability to develop long-term engineering strategies, prioritize investments, and align engineering initiatives with business objectives.
• Executive influence and collaboration, with exceptional communication skills and the ability to build strong partnerships across Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Executive Leadership.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including capital planning, portfolio management, risk assessment, and data-driven decision making.
• Proven people leadership, with demonstrated success developing talent, leading through change, driving accountability, and fostering a culture of engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement.

What’s in it for you:

We offer competitive remuneration, an annual incentive plan bonus scheme and a range of employee benefits! Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation.