IT Engineering Specialist

$97,495 - $126,170/Yr

1110 Kite Pharma, Inc. - Frederick, MD

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Frederick, MD

About the position

The IT Engineering Specialist at Kite Pharma plays a crucial role in supporting the company's mission to cure cancer by delivering compliant IT solutions within the TechOps IT portfolio. This position involves gathering requirements, managing development, and providing operational support for information technology solutions in a regulated environment. The specialist will work closely with various teams to ensure the availability and functionality of IT systems that support quality control labs, research and development labs, and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the delivery of global, site-specific, and compliant IT solutions within the TechOps IT portfolio and provide operational support.
• Ensure delivery of IT solutions to QC labs, R&D labs, and manufacturing.
• Perform installation, configuration, support, and administration of computer systems and lab instruments in a regulated GMP environment.
• Provide maintenance and support requests to address IT operational issues on assigned technologies, following established processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with business groups, vendors, and cross-functional IT teams to deliver innovative, scalable, and compliant IT solutions.
• Document user and functional requirements.
• Support IT architecture by working closely with enterprise architects and following established guidelines.
• Present solutions' architecture to the architecture review board.
• Design and implement site-specific, regional, global, enterprise, and other IT solutions.
• Author detailed design specifications, architecture, and data flow diagrams.
• Author and execute test scripts.
• Work with vendors and quality teams on authoring and execution of IQ/OQ/PQ to qualify IT solutions.
• Work closely with project managers and the PMO on scheduling and monitoring progress of initiatives.
• Address project constraints, including risks and issues.
• Follow project change control for managing scope and schedule.
• Provide project tasks estimates.
• Contribute to the discussions about resource allocation and capacity planning.
• Collaborate with internal & external stakeholders to diagnose and resolve IT issues.
• Ensure the availability and functionality of both hardware and software systems for daily operations, providing technical support on-site or remotely when necessary.
• Manage changes in accordance with GxP and IT change control processes, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are consistently met.
• Stay aligned with domain architecture teams to ensure global consistency, influencing changes to standards when needed.
• Document process steps and systems enhancements required to support process.
• Engage with internal clients and stakeholders to address issues with quality and manufacturing systems.
• Analyze security protection technologies, adhering to Corporate IT security policies and guidelines.
• Develop a deep understanding of the business processes and all applicable procedures.
• Foster strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment between manufacturing sites and corporate IT for global consistency.

Requirements

• Experience with quality labs and manufacturing instruments, IT solutions, operating systems, security concepts, infrastructure, and systems' configurations and customization.
• Previous experience working in a GxP environment supporting biotech/pharma technology solutions.
• Strong knowledge of commissioning, qualification, and validation processes.
• Experience with system integration and the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels in an international environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work under indirect supervision and manage multiple competing priorities concurrently.
• Strong planning and execution skills, with a systematic approach to problem solving.
• 5-7 years of experience related to IT systems management, IT operational support, or other information technology solutions roles, ideally in an international setting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail in both technical and administrative tasks.
• Broad knowledge of IT topics, with proficiency in working in a secure network environment.
• Resilience and adaptability to perform effectively in an ambiguous and high-pressure environment.
• Honest and credible, and effective in communication.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a regulated GMP environment.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies.
• Knowledge of IT security policies and compliance standards.

Benefits

• Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
• Discretionary annual bonus.
• Discretionary stock-based long-term incentives.
• Paid time off.