Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.
At Lonza, we empower our teams to make a real difference in patients’ lives. The Cocoon Platform is a first-of-its-kind automated system that brings patient-scale cell and gene therapies to reality. As a Sr. Systems Design Engineer on our Sustaining Engineering team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the long-term quality, reliability, and manufacturability of this advanced medical technology — directly supporting breakthroughs in personalized cancer treatment.
This role offers the opportunity to innovate, solve complex engineering challenges, and see your designs move from concept to patient impact — all while working in a collaborative environment that values creativity, initiative, and growth.
Key Responsibilities:
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, reliability, and production yields.
Update and optimize mechanical designs to improve performance and efficiency while ensuring compliance with global medical device standards.
Investigate field issues and product complaints, lead root cause analyses, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Support design transfer to manufacturing, including prototyping, testing, supplier collaboration, and design verification.
Prepare and maintain regulatory-compliant technical documentation (Design History File, Device Master Record, risk assessments).
Apply risk-based design practices (FMEA) to guide engineering decision-making.
Partner cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality teams to deliver practical, high-impact solutions.
Key Requirements:
Minimum 8+ years of experience in mechanical design engineering, ideally within the life sciences or medical device industry.
Proven expertise in the design of plastic components (preferably disposable medical devices).
Strong working knowledge of ISO 13485, EU Annex V, GMP practices, and sterilization techniques.
Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred), GD&T, and mechanical analysis (stress, tolerance, thermal, fluid flow).
Hands-on knowledge of manufacturing processes such as machining, injection molding, and 3D printing.
Experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
Familiarity with ASTM standards and testing methods.
Strong problem-solving skills, mechanical aptitude, and willingness to be hands-on.
Clear and effective communication skills.
High level of initiative and accountability, with the ability to work independently in complex workflows.
Nice-to-Have:
Experience with bioreactor design and/or cell culture systems in cell therapy manufacturing.
Project management experience.
Knowledge of statistical analysis methods.
Exposure to industrial design principles (ergonomics, usability, product aesthetics).
Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.
People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.
Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.