Principal Project Manager
Lonza is hiring a Principal Project Manager. It pays $160k-$266k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Lonza.
Level's read on this job
- On Level's scale, this project manager role is Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
- The listed pay starts 44% above the typical project manager posting on Level.
- Level classifies it as a lead role.
- Level lists 566 other open roles at Lonza.
AI in this role
Location: Vacaville, California
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.
The Principal Project Manager (PM), is responsible for managing capital and expense (non-capital) projects at the Vacaville site. This position ensures safe delivery, compliance with all
applicable requirements, including cGMP quality, risk, schedule and budget. The PM shall work closely Global Engineering, and colleagues in Vacaville Facilities and Engineering (F&E),
Manufacturing, Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) Safety Health Environment (SHE) and Quality Departments.
What you will get
The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $159,750 to $266,250. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:
- Performance-related bonus
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- 401(k) matching plan
- Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Employee assistance programs
- Paid Time Off
What you will do
- Lead end-to-end delivery of complex cGMP facility modifications, tech transfers, and capital projects from design through commissioning and closeout.
- Own project performance by strictly managing budgets and meeting milestone schedules for manufacturing upgrades and new construction.
- Ensure all engineering, construction, and operational activities strictly adhere to federal, state, local, and EHS regulatory requirements.
- Communicate project objectives, risks, and milestone status with senior management, client teams, procurement, legal, and F&E leadership.
- Partner with procurement to develop, negotiate, and manage external contracts and internal resources to optimize project delivery.
- Proactively identify project risks, resolve cross-functional conflicts, and align stakeholder expectations to ensure successful outcomes.
- Continuously refine project management procedures and ensure full compliance with internal project governance standards.
What we look for
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
- Proven expertise in end-to-end project execution, spanning scope definition, engineering design, procurement, construction, commissioning, start-up, and closeout.
- Strong executive accountability for strict budget management, accelerated delivery schedules, and enterprise milestone targets.
- Executive-level oversight of complex, highly regulated operational environments, ensuring absolute compliance with local, federal, and EHS standards.
- Exceptional ability to align expectations, communicate risks, and drive strategic alignment with senior leadership, legal, procurement, and client teams.
- Advanced expertise in orchestrating internal resources and partnering with procurement to negotiate high-value contractor and supplier agreements.
- Champion of continuous improvement, evolving site-wide project procedures, governance frameworks, and automation infrastructure.
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.
How we rate this
Principal Project Manager at Lonza rates 30 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Little AI. AI is not part of the work.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Also common in project manager jobs at this level
Pay
- This job starts at
- $160k
- Typical project manager job
- $111k
This posting starts 44% above the typical project manager job. See project manager jobs
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