Chemical Manufacturing Technician II - Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (Petersburg, VA, US)

About the Department

For more than 100 years, Novo Nordisk has been tackling the unmet medical needs of people living with serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes & obesity. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

Our new Petersburg, Virginia site marks a strategic move to advance our capabilities within Chemical API development and production. The highly experienced site is designed to strengthen and accelerate our Small Molecule (SMOL) strategy while amplifying our operational capacity. This is to safeguard and support SMOL projects and API production in the coming years, aligning with our vision and strengthening our potential for growth and innovation.

What we offer you:

Leading pay and annual performance bonus for all positions

All employees enjoy generous paid time off including 14 paid holidays

Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance – effective day one

Guaranteed 8% 401K contribution plus individual company match option

Family Focused Benefits including 14 weeks paid parental & 6 weeks paid family medical leave

Free access to Novo Nordisk-marketed pharmaceutical products

Tuition Assistance

Life & Disability Insurance

Employee Referral Awards

At Novo Nordisk, you will find opportunities, resources, and mentorship to help grow and build your career. Are you ready to realize your potential? Join Team Novo Nordisk and help us make what matters.

The Position

We are currently hiring for multiple Technicians at our Petersburg, VA location.  The primary purpose of this role is to operate API manufacturing equipment to achieve production goals.  We are open to hiring at the Technician III level commensurate with experience.  Please note this role will start as a M-Thursday day shift working 4x10 hour schedule; This is a shift position that will transition to 2-2-3 rotating shift schedule as the site moves into operations in early 2027.  The current hours are 0600 to 1630 with flexibility required dependent upon the needs of the company and project demands.

Relationships

Reports to one of the Managers, Operations at the site.

Essential Functions

Role model for working in a safe and environmentally responsible manner

Maintain chemical inventories

Follow instructions listed in GMP documentation & product quality and provide suggestions for improvements as needed

Review SOP’s, Job Instructions (JI's) & other documents, as required

Real-time review of batch records ensuring compliance to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) & current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) standards

Manage individual training plan with assistance of API Operastions Area Lead and Shift Supervisor

Execute qualification documents such as IQ, OQ, PQ documentation in addition to other validation activities with assistance of more senior technicians

Independent handling of: Bulk and drummed flammable solvents

Drummed highly hazardous acids and bases

Sensitizing agents, peptides, small molecule API’s and intermediates

Ability to operate while using advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to air hoods, full face respirators, cartride respirators, and chemical suits

Clean, assemble and dismantle processing equipment

Setup, operate, monitor, & control highly automated processes & systems

Troubleshoot during equipment maintenance, including restoration of lost function, predictive & preventive maintenance

Participate in deviation investigations

Load & unload product from trucks, tankers & ISO containers, as required

Execute production schedule to achieve production goals

Maintain clean room areas & perform environmental monitoring, as required

Assist with training and onboarding new employees

Perform Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) activities in accordance with safety procedures with assistance of more senior technicians

Follow all safety & environmental requirements in the performance of duties

Other accountabilities as assigned

Physical Requirements

Moves equipment &/or supplies weighing up to 33 pounds within the facility using various body positions. Routinely operates & inspects manufacturing equipment using hands. Strap & unstrap pallets using hands. Must be able to be on your feet for up to a 12-hour shift. May require corrected vision to 20/20 or 20/25 based on role. May require color vision based on role. Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. May be required to work at elevated heights. Work around odorous &/or hazardous materials. Must have a high consciousness for personnel and equipment safety. Required to utilize a variety of personnel protective equipment. May perform critical job functions in extremely cold work environments depending on site. May position oneself within confined spaces for inspection if required of the role. Ability to work in loud noise environments with hearing protection. May be required to secure a motorized vehicle license & operate a motorized vehicle based on the role.

Qualifications

High School diploma or GED and a minimum of three (3) years of manufacturing experience required in a chemical manufacturing environment required, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry In lieu of a High School diploma and three (3) years of experience, may consider an Associate’s Degree in Engineering Technology or a Science-related field from an accredited college or university with a minimum of one (1) year of manufacturing experience in a chemical manufacturing environment required, preferably in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment

Experience following SOPs to perform tasks & raising issues if errors are found required

Experience following established safety guidelines when performing tasks required

Experience demonstrating a systematic approach to problem solving & troubleshooting based on data & facts to include actively participating in event response activities, documenting problems &   ensuring rapid resolution & preventing recurrence required

Computer literacy including, but not limited to the ability to operate computer driven manufacturing/production equipment & efficient use of Microsoft Office suite programs required

Ability to read & understand complicated product documentation & standard operating procedures with attention to detail required

Ability to write technical product documents required

Ability to operate while using advanced personal protective equipment including but not limited to air hoods, full face respirators, cartridge respirators, and chemical suits with oversight from more senior technicians required

Experience in and ability to ensure compliance with corporate/local SOPs, regulations & ISO standards required

General knowledge in current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) manufacturing & production processes associated with pharmaceutical companies preferred

Basic knowledge of biology/chemistry required

Advanced mechanical aptitude required

Mechanical aptitude, ability to follow use tools to perform tasks, basic troubleshooting of mechanical components & systems required

Other preferred skills and experience: API experience

Experience with operation, troubleshooting, & training less experienced personnel in large scale reactor unit operations including but not limited to, pressure and vacuum inertions, distillations, refluxing of solvents, separation of bi-phasic systems and pH adjustments using acids and bases.  In addition, experience with filtration of products using various types of filtration equipment, centrifugation of materials, chromatography, and drying of materials under heat and vacuum

Ability to perform basic material handling tasks & safely & effectively use material handling equipment preferred

Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM) systems. Ability to identify safety concerns & improvement

Experience with chemical handling, chemical reactions, centrifugation and packaging of bulk materials fermentation, centrifugation, chromatography, buffer/media prep

Experience working with work permits/Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) systems. Experience leading LOTO activities & training less experienced staff preferred

Experience with Delta V PCS/MES/SAP, general automation software preferred

Experience with DeltaV and general automation software. Experience with general troubleshooting of these systems & working with support groups to resolve issues preferred

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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