Senior Program Manager – Engineering Projects

Company Overview

ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBRX) is a commercial-stage biotechnology company developing cell and immunotherapy products that are designed to help strengthen each patient’s natural immune system, potentially enabling it to outsmart the disease and eliminate cancerous or infected cells. We envision a day when we no longer fear cancer, but can conquer it, thanks to the biological wonder that is the human immune system. Our scientists are working to develop novel therapies that harness that inherent power by amplifying both branches of the immune system, attacking cancerous or infected cells today while building immunological memory for tomorrow. The goal: to reprogram the patient’s immune system and treat the host rather than just the disease.

Why ImmunityBio?

• ImmunityBio is developing cutting-edge technology with the goal to transform the lives of patients with cancer and develop next-generation therapies and vaccines that complement, harness and amplify the immune system to defeat cancers and infectious diseases.
• Opportunity to join a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Southern California.
• Work with a collaborative team with the ability to work across different areas of the company.
• Ability to join a growing company with professional development opportunities.

Position Summary

The Senior Program Manager- Engineering Projects is responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of facility and engineering projects that enable ImmunityBio’s clinical and commercial manufacturing operations, with a strong focus on facility buildouts, utilities, and equipment qualification and validation. This role leads cross-functional project teams through all phases of capital and infrastructure projects, from concept design and funding approval through construction, commissioning, qualification, and handover to operations. The Senior Program Manager- Engineering Projects ensures programs are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with cGMP, building codes, and internal quality standards.

Essential Functions

• Own end-to-end delivery of assigned facility, utility, and equipment projects from concept through turnover to operations, as the primary point of contact to align stakeholders and subject matter experts on scope, schedule, budget, quality, and execution strategy.
• Develop and maintain integrated project and program plans, including scope definition, milestones, resource plans, budgets, risk registers, critical path, and risk remediation actions for capital projects, renovations, buildouts, and equipment installations.
• Plan, organize, and direct a broad range of capital projects, including new construction, facility expansions, laboratory and cleanroom buildouts, infrastructure upgrades, and associated site modifications.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and external partners, including Facilities, Manufacturing, Quality, EHS, Engineering, Validation, design teams, contractors, and vendors, to ensure aligned execution of Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) in a highly regulated environment.
• Ensure facility layouts, building systems, and project execution meet operational needs and comply with cGMP, building codes, environmental regulations, safety requirements, and company standards.
• Monitor construction and installation progress, review field changes and change orders, resolve site issues, and recommend actions to protect scope, cost, schedule, and quality.
• Ensure project schedules account for CQV activities, documentation reviews, and regulatory/QA approvals required for GMP release, and drive resolution of technical or validation issues during startup and qualification.
• Partner with EHS to plan and monitor construction safety programs and ensure contractor compliance with site safety and operational requirements.
• Support internal and external audits and inspections related to facilities, equipment, and validation by preparing and presenting projects, CQV, and supporting documentation.
• Develop and manage project budgets and cash flow forecasts, track capital spend against approved funding, and review invoices against milestones and contract terms.
• Review and evaluate vendor and contractor proposals, scopes of work, and change orders, providing recommendations for selection, award, and execution.
• Facilitate cross-functional communication, prepare status reports and executive updates, and escalate key issues, risks, and decisions with clear options and recommendations to leadership.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or relevant field required.
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in engineering, manufacturing, facilities, and validation is required.
• 3+ years of engineering program/project management experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or other regulated life sciences manufacturing environment is required.
• Experience with facility buildouts and equipment CQV strongly preferred.
• Experience leading capital or infrastructure projects involving construction, utilities, and equipment installation in cGMP or similarly regulated environments preferred.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, external design and construction partners, and multiple stakeholders in a matrixed organization preferred.
• Hands-on experience with both traditional (Waterfall) and Agile or hybrid project management methodologies preferred.
• PMP or other project management certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated successful leadership competencies (diligence, planning, analysis, and communication).
• Skillful use of interpersonal skills and influence to accomplish work without formal authority and to ensure optimal team performance.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, which enable successful collaboration with executive level stakeholders.
• Strong experience facilitating project team meetings, cross-functional communication and decision making, and ensuring alignment with internal and external stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, problem solving, matrix management, and collaboration in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions to problems
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed organization
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically when planning, managing teams, and managing processes.
• Solid understanding of facility and utility systems (e.g., clean utilities, process gases, HVAC, process equipment) and their impact on GMP operations.
• Working knowledge of commissioning and validation principles, including development and execution of IQ/OQ/PQ protocols and related documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and compliance.
• Proficiency with project management tools and MS Office (e.g., MS Project or equivalent, Excel, PowerPoint, Word); familiarity with CAD or BIM tools is a plus.

Working Environment / Physical Environment

• This position works on site.
• Regular work schedule is Monday – Friday, within standard business hours. Flexibility is available with manager approval.
• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and in construction/plant environments, and to use standard office equipment, including a computer.
• Lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds.