
Associate Director, Process Engineering
Required skills
- Manufacturing Process Development
- Process Throughput
- Product Quality
- Multidisciplinary
- Risk-based Product Development
- Development Strategy
- Regulatory Filings
- Automated Manufacturing Equipment
- Analytical Techniques
- Process Configurations
Nice to have
- Tacterra™
- Applicator Platform
- Bioactive Tips
- Self-Administration
- Temperature-Stable
- PAT
Role summary
Terrestrial Bio is seeking a Principal Process Engineer to lead the development and scaling of their novel microarray patch manufacturing process. This role involves increasing process throughput by 100x and improving product quality over two years. The engineer will contextualize process tradeoffs, define development strategies, and collaborate with automation, operations, and R&D teams. Responsibilities include characterizing and improving unit operations using modeling, analyzing large datasets to link process parameters to quality metrics, and managing/mentoring a team of engineers. The ideal candidate has a strong track record in biopharmaceutical, medical device, or combination product manufacturing process development and scale-up, with experience in Quality by Design, DoE, data analysis, and GMP environments. Experience with microscale systems, drug delivery, and PAT is highly valued. This is an onsite role based in Woburn, MA.
Associate Director, Process Engineering
Location: Woburn, Moving to Allston in Q4, 2026, Onsite
About Terrestrial Bio, Inc.
Terrestrial is transforming the delivery of next-generation therapies, starting with GLP-1. Terrestrial's proprietary Tacterra™ microarray patch (MAP) and applicator platform consists of a patch resembling an adhesive bandage, which is applied with a preloaded applicator and removed after a few minutes. Once applied, each patch delivers bioactive tips into the skin, which dissolve quickly into the body, rapidly releasing their therapeutic payload. Designed for self-administration, the temperature-stable Tacterra™ platform enables precise, controlled delivery of a wide range of therapeutics without medical sharps or refrigeration.
Terrestrial has generated strong clinical and in-vivo proof of concept across multiple molecules. For more information, visit www.terrestrialbio.com .
Why this role
We are looking for an innovative, collaborative, experienced Associate Director, Process Engineering, to lead technical development of our novel MAP manufacturing process. Over the next two years, we will increase process throughput by one hundred-fold while improving product quality. The successful candidate will play a vital role in this effort by leading the team responsible for process development on a brand-new, highly automated pilot scale MAP line. The role is multidisciplinary and dynamic, requiring close and proactive collaboration with automation engineering, technical operations, and analytical and formulation development. The ideal candidate will grow alongside our process and operations and bring passion to drive products which make patients’ lives better.
What you’ll do
Lead a technical team responsible for development of scalable unit operations for production of Tacterra™ MAPs on small and intermediate scale equipment
Oversee strategy and execution of process development for lead and pipeline programs; synthesize process data from lab-scale and pilot-sale development into highly functional manufacturing processes; document process development progress internally and in regulatory filings.
Collaborate closely with formulation and analytical development teams to define control strategies using a quality-by-design framework; work with manufacturing engineering and automation functions to evaluate, operationalize, and improve equipment and processes
Lead a deep and talented team of engineers and technicians and help us grow to meet the technical needs of the future.
Who you are
B.S., MS or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline
8+ years relevant industry experience in process development or manufacturing
Prior experience managing engineers or other technical personnel
Preferred candidates will have:
Experience working in early and late-stage development of drug products, medical devices / diagnostics, or combination products; solid dosage forms, polymeric drug delivery, or micro-scale systems preferred
Demonstrated experience applying process development data and models to efficiently execute tech transfers, scale-up, scale-out, and establishment of high throughput manufacturing processes
Familiarity with regulatory guidelines for drug products or medical devices, and prior experience contributing to or authoring CMC sections of regulatory filings
What Makes Someone a Strong Fit
You have a track record of successfully using engineering and scientific principles to develop and scale manufacturing processes for biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, or combination products.
You enjoy getting your hands on equipment and operations to deepen your understanding.
Your Impact
Within 12 months you will have:
Developed predictive models relating the critical product quality attributes to the relevant process parameters, and used them to propose normal operating ranges for microarray patch manufacturing.
Established lab and pilot scale processes to support preclinical and clinical development for Terrestrial’s lead program.
Compensation: The anticipated base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $200,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors including experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Onsite expectations: The majority of our roles at Terrestrial are either onsite or hybrid, which allows us to meet both business and team needs. Candidates applying must be willing to be onsite 4-5 days per week.
Location: Woburn, MA and our new, custom facility in Allston MA planned for Q4 of 2026.
At Terrestrial, we’re bringing together exceptional talent to drive our product development forward. We value collaboration, curiosity, and a dynamic work environment. We aim to recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or veteran status.
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