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Process Engineer - Job Opportunity at Johnson & Johnson

Nijmegen, Netherlands
Contract
Mid-level
Posted: June 23, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 55,000 - 70,000 per year based on Netherlands market rates for mid-level process engineers in pharmaceutical/medical device sector, with potential for higher compensation given Johnson & Johnson's competitive positioning and the specialized nature of medical device process engineering

Benefits

Opportunity to work with world-class professionals in a globally recognized healthcare innovation leader, providing exceptional networking and career development opportunities
Access to cutting-edge medical device technologies and processes, offering valuable hands-on experience with industry-leading equipment and methodologies
Professional development through exposure to complex engineering projects and cross-functional collaboration in a regulated pharmaceutical environment
International work environment with potential for global career mobility within Johnson & Johnson's extensive worldwide operations

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic alignment of engineering workload and priorities with critical business objectives, ensuring optimal resource allocation and maximum impact on organizational goals
Lead accountability for base business activities and high-impact engineering projects, including implementation of remedial actions that directly affect product quality and regulatory compliance
Serve as primary engineering authority for process development studies and validation documentation, making critical decisions that ensure product safety and regulatory adherence
Act as key engineering representative in internal and external communications, building strategic relationships and representing the organization's technical capabilities to stakeholders
Maintain cross-departmental connectivity to optimize operational efficiency and drive collaborative problem-solving across the organization
Communicate business-critical issues and strategic opportunities to senior management, influencing decision-making at the organizational level
Ensure comprehensive compliance with all regulatory requirements while driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational excellence

Requirements

Education

University / Bachelor's Degree, Engineering degree or Equivalent in a Life Science, Process Engineering, or Physical Science. An advanced degree, such as Master degree in a Technical or Science field is preferred

Experience

Generally requires (2-4) years related experience

Required Skills

Statistical and analytical problem solving Strong written and oral communication in English required Experience in the Medical Device industry and GMP Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing principles and practices, and procedures Equipment and Process Validation / Establish Equipment requirements (URS, FAT, SAT) Capable to interpret the vendor maintenance/calibration/qualification reports to verify the effectiveness of the vendor's work and adopt the outcomes into the process Project management Manufacturing processes improvements Troubleshooting and machine design review Proper communication skills; making complex issues easy for others to understand when acting as a core team member in projects

Certifications

Lean and/or Six Sigma belt is preferred
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Industry Trends

The medical device industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by aging populations globally, increasing chronic disease prevalence, and accelerated digital health adoption, creating sustained demand for process engineers who can optimize manufacturing efficiency while maintaining strict regulatory compliance. This trend is particularly pronounced in Europe where regulatory frameworks like MDR are driving companies to invest heavily in process validation and quality systems. Pharmaceutical and medical device companies are increasingly adopting Industry 4.0 technologies including IoT sensors, predictive analytics, and automated process control systems, requiring process engineers with both traditional manufacturing expertise and digital technology fluency to bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern smart manufacturing environments. Post-pandemic supply chain resilience has become a critical focus for healthcare companies, with organizations like Johnson & Johnson investing significantly in regional manufacturing capabilities and process redundancy, creating opportunities for process engineers to lead initiatives in supply chain optimization and risk mitigation strategies.

Role Significance

Typically works within a cross-functional team of 5-8 professionals including quality assurance specialists, manufacturing technicians, and validation engineers, while collaborating with broader supply chain and regulatory teams of 15-20 people across multiple departments and potentially external vendors and regulatory agencies.
This is a mid-level individual contributor role with significant technical authority and decision-making responsibility, particularly in process validation and equipment qualification areas. The position carries substantial regulatory and compliance accountability, indicating trust in the engineer's judgment and expertise, while reporting to an Engineering Manager suggests room for growth into senior technical or management tracks.

Key Projects

Leading comprehensive process validation studies for new medical device manufacturing lines, including protocol development, execution oversight, and regulatory documentation preparation Implementing lean manufacturing initiatives and Six Sigma projects to optimize production efficiency while maintaining strict quality standards and regulatory compliance Managing equipment qualification programs including User Requirement Specifications (URS), Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for critical manufacturing equipment Driving continuous improvement projects focused on manufacturing process optimization, yield improvement, and cost reduction while ensuring patient safety and product quality

Success Factors

Deep understanding of regulatory requirements and quality systems in medical device manufacturing, as the role requires making critical decisions that directly impact patient safety and regulatory compliance, with mistakes potentially resulting in product recalls, regulatory sanctions, or patient harm. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities combined with statistical proficiency, as process engineers must identify root causes of manufacturing issues, optimize complex processes, and make data-driven decisions that balance efficiency, quality, and compliance requirements. Excellent cross-functional communication and project management skills, as the role requires coordinating with multiple departments, managing vendor relationships, and translating complex technical concepts for diverse stakeholders including regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and senior management. Adaptability and continuous learning mindset, as the medical device industry is rapidly evolving with new technologies, changing regulations, and emerging manufacturing methodologies requiring engineers to constantly update their skills and knowledge base.

Market Demand

High demand driven by regulatory complexity in medical device manufacturing, Industry 4.0 transformation requirements, and critical shortage of engineers with both GMP experience and process validation expertise in the European market

Important Skills

Critical Skills

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) experience is absolutely essential as medical device manufacturing operates under strict regulatory oversight, and any deviation from established procedures can result in regulatory violations, product recalls, or patient safety issues. This knowledge forms the foundation for all process engineering decisions in the healthcare industry. Statistical and analytical problem-solving capabilities are critical for identifying process variations, optimizing manufacturing parameters, and making data-driven decisions that ensure consistent product quality while improving efficiency. Without these skills, engineers cannot effectively troubleshoot issues or implement meaningful process improvements. Equipment validation and qualification expertise (URS, FAT, SAT) is crucial as medical device manufacturing relies on qualified equipment operating within validated parameters, and engineers must ensure all equipment meets specifications and regulatory requirements before production use. Project management skills are essential for coordinating complex validation studies, equipment installations, and process improvement initiatives that typically involve multiple stakeholders, tight timelines, and significant regulatory and business implications.

Beneficial Skills

Lean Six Sigma certification provides valuable methodology for systematic process improvement and waste reduction, increasingly important as healthcare companies focus on cost optimization while maintaining quality standards, and can differentiate candidates in competitive job markets. Digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 knowledge including IoT sensors, data analytics, and automated process control systems will become increasingly valuable as the industry adopts smart manufacturing technologies to improve efficiency and real-time process monitoring. Regulatory affairs understanding beyond basic GMP knowledge, including familiarity with FDA, EMA, and ISO standards, enhances ability to navigate complex regulatory requirements and contributes to strategic decision-making regarding process changes and new product introductions. Cross-cultural communication and international project experience are valuable given Johnson & Johnson's global operations and the likelihood of working with international teams, suppliers, and regulatory agencies across different markets and time zones.

Unique Aspects

Limited one-year contract structure provides an excellent opportunity for professionals to gain experience with a Fortune 50 company while potentially leading to permanent opportunities based on performance and business needs
Direct involvement in medical device manufacturing processes that impact patient lives globally, offering meaningful work that contributes to healthcare innovation and patient outcomes
Exposure to Johnson & Johnson's world-class manufacturing systems, quality standards, and regulatory processes, providing valuable experience that is highly transferable across the pharmaceutical and medical device industries
Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility while maintaining necessary on-site presence for manufacturing and equipment-related responsibilities, reflecting modern workplace trends in technical roles

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior technical roles within 2-3 years with strong performance, or transition to management positions within 4-5 years, accelerated by Johnson & Johnson's structured career development programs and global mobility opportunities

Potential Next Roles

Senior Process Engineer with expanded technical leadership responsibilities and oversight of junior engineers Engineering Manager or Technical Lead positions overseeing process engineering teams and strategic initiatives Validation Manager specializing in process and equipment validation across multiple product lines Supply Chain Engineering Manager with broader responsibility for manufacturing operations and continuous improvement

Company Overview

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is a Fortune 50 multinational corporation and one of the world's largest healthcare companies, operating across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer products with over 140,000 employees globally. The company has a strong presence in the Netherlands with significant manufacturing and R&D operations, representing a major hub for European operations and providing stability, resources, and career opportunities that smaller companies cannot match.

Johnson & Johnson maintains a dominant market position as a global healthcare leader with consistent revenue growth, strong R&D investment, and market-leading positions across multiple therapeutic areas and medical device categories, providing job security and competitive compensation packages that reflect the company's financial strength and commitment to talent retention.
The Netherlands location represents a strategic European hub for Johnson & Johnson's operations, with Nijmegen serving as a key manufacturing and engineering center that supports both regional and global markets, offering exposure to international projects and potential for career mobility across Johnson & Johnson's worldwide operations.
Johnson & Johnson is known for its strong emphasis on innovation, employee development, and work-life balance, with comprehensive benefits packages, structured career development programs, and a collaborative culture that values diversity and inclusion, though the pharmaceutical industry culture tends to be process-oriented and heavily regulated, requiring attention to detail and compliance-focused mindset.
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