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Vaccines

Vaccines
Where
extraordinary minds
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half a billion people

Principal Compliance Engineer

Waltham, Massachusetts Salary Range   USD 122,250.00 - 176,583.33
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Who we are

Every day, 2.5 million Sanofi vaccine doses reach patients worldwide - powered by bold ideas, cutting-edge science, and passionate people like you. Across every stage — from discovery to delivery — Sanofians are shaping the future of vaccines. In global R&D hubs, exceptional offices, and state-of-the-art manufacturing sites, we’re reimagining what’s possible. But science alone isn’t enough — it’s the extraordinary minds behind it that truly make the difference.

Job title: Principal Compliance Engineer

  • Location: Waltham, MA

About the job

As Principal Compliance Engineer within our R&D team, you will play a key role in ensuring the timely and thorough execution of investigations to ensure clinical batches are best positioned for release. This position is critical to maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance in our clinical manufacturing operations, directly supporting the development of life-changing medicines for patients worldwide.

In this role, you will lead and contribute to cross-functional investigations, implement corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs) based on investigational conclusions, apply Lean methodologies to drive operational efficiency, and create and present quality event tracking to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in manufacturing processes. Your expertise will be essential in maintaining compliance standards while optimizing manufacturing operations to support Sanofi's mission of bringing innovative treatments to patients faster and more efficiently.

Join the engine of Sanofi’s mission — where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI-powered research. In R&D, you’ll drive breakthroughs that could turn the impossible into possible for millions.

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main Responsibilities

Manufacturing support

  • Lead and support GMP investigations for clinical manufacturing deviations with scientific rigor, utilizing root cause analysis methodologies and cross-functional collaboration to ensure timely batch release decisions

  • Serve as a process SME for the GCM group providing technical expertise on process related quality events, manufacturing troubleshooting, and urgent production issues

  • Conduct on-site investigations (gemba) with internal and external manufacturing teams to identify process improvements and resolve quality issues

  • Perform product impact assessments for deviations and quality events, applying science-based decision making allowing for batch disposition

  • Manage investigation documentation and closure within internal QMS systems, ensuring regulatory compliance and traceability

  • Collaborate with the internal raw materials team and external suppliers (raw materials, single-use consumables) to investigate quality issues and propose supplier improvements

  • Participate in Risk Management teams

Continuous Improvements and Lean Initiatives

  • Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Process Development, Analytical Development, and other departments to recommend and implement CAPAs based off investigational conclusions

  • Assist in increasing operational efficiency through the implementation of Lean and 5S initiatives across manufacturing areas

  • Regularly assess and enhance lean/5S/SMS knowledge

  • Support efforts to evaluate the efficiency of the existing lean systems, suggesting mitigation strategies for issues identified

  • Participate in efforts to improve ways of working while conducting investigations and documenting quality events

  • Collaborate with the process development team to implement solutions to improve process efficiency and product quality.

  • Collaborate with Process Development process trending leads to analyze in-process and final GMP batch data to evaluate process efficiency

  • Participate in Data Insights team to evaluate data trends across the organization

GCM Performance Tracking and Evaluation

  • Contribute to the design and implementation of performance tracking tools for GCM investigation and quality event trends

  • Create and present quality event trending and metrics reports with suggestions for continuous improvements

About you

Education

  • BS in Engineering, Life sciences or related disciplines; OR 

  • MS in Engineering.

Experience

  • 10+ years of industry experience with at least 5 years of experience in GMP processes or related/equivalent.

Soft skills

  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise guidance on technical tasks, scheduling challenges, and proposed solutions.

  • Experience with Microsoft office applications

  • Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects effectively and maintain exceptional attention to detail. Highly organized, with exceptional attention to detail and strong proficiency in documentation.

  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate project team meetings, enhance cross-functional communication, support decision making, influence outcomes, and ensure alignment among internal and external stakeholders.

  • Results-driven with a strong focus on achieving operational and organizational objectives.

Technical skills

  • Strong GMP investigation experience with experience in driving cross-functional team collaboration through complex manufacturing deviations and quality events

  • Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to perform science-based risk assessments and impact evaluations as it relates to GMP manufacturing

  • Expertise in root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., Fishbone, 5-Why, Fault Tree Analysis) and when to appropriately apply methods

  • Demonstrated knowledge/understanding of manufacturing process or experience in technical/process development, process/technology transfer, and GMP manufacturing, with a focus on mRNA, biologics or ATMPs (expertise in any of these areas is highly valued).

  • Experience with deviation management and implementing corrective and preventative action (CAPA)

  • Strong familiarity with quality management systems and quality event management processes

  • Understanding of product and process manufacturing data and how to perform analysis to support root cause determination

Why Choose Us

  • Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, futurefocused team.

  • Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

  • Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.

  • Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.

  • Be part of a pioneering biopharma company that engages patients early in drug development and uses their insights to design studies that reflect real-world needs.

  • Work at the forefront of drug discovery, harnessing cutting-edge AI, data, and digital platforms to push the boundaries of science.

  • Help improve the lives of millions of people globally by making drug development quicker and more effective.

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.

Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.

Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com

Final compensation will be determined based on demonstrated experience, skills, location, and other relevant factors. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs.

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Why work with us

  • We’re problem-solvers and pioneers. United by the belief that everyone deserves a healthier future. We create best-in-class vaccines that prevent disease and protect lives.

  • Innovation drives us. From AI and mRNA to next-gen science, we push the boundaries to deliver first- and best-in-class vaccines for infectious diseases worldwide.

  • Growth happens here. With bold investments in R&D and world-class facilities, Sanofians across the entire vaccine lifecycle are shaping the future of global health.

  • We do what’s right. Sustainability and DE&I drive our positive global impact—because the diverse communities Sanofians represent are the patients we serve.

What does it take to protect the world from disease?

For over a century, we’ve been pioneering breakthroughs that help protect millions from diseases like polio, influenza, RSV, and more. And we’re not stopping there.

Powered by groundbreaking technologies - mRNA platforms, recombinant proteins, and AI-driven insights - we’re pushing the boundaries of science.

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"I’m immensely proud of the pace of our innovation – the urgency by which our teams are working to transform the practice of medicine."

Thomas Triomphe

Executive Vice President, Vaccines

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About Sanofi Vaccines

Explore our commitment to protecting global health through the power of vaccines. We’re building healthier communities with innovative solutions that save millions of lives each year. Dive into the future of vaccines, discover the diseases we’re tackling, and learn why vaccination is critical at every stage of life.

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