Senior Specialist, Quality Assurance

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description

At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.

We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come.  As a Sr. QA Specialist, you will hold a key role accountable for delivering Quality Assurance objectives supporting the Foster City Manufacturing New Chess Facility (NCF).

This role will support startup, operational readiness, and steady-state manufacturing and analytical operations while ensuring alignment with manufacturing, digital, quality control, and compliance priorities.

Our position is an individual contributor, site-based role.

Key Responsibilities:

GMP Operations Quality Oversight

Reviews and approves laboratory investigations (e.g., OOS/OOT/deviations) conducted by contract partners, ensuring thorough root cause analysis, robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and aligned decision-making impacting product quality and disposition.

Applies Quality Risk Management principles to oversee risk assessments in collaboration with Manufacturing and QC operations.

Participates in writing or suggesting changes to controlled documents (e.g., SOPs, Specifications, Methods, etc.) as needed, to ensure defined quality objectives are met.

Maintains programs and processes to ensure high quality products and compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs).

Reviews manufacturing, environmental monitoring and quality control data for in-process and finished products.

Works closely with operating entities to ensure that inspections, statistical process control analyses and audits are conducted on a continuing basis, to enforce requirements and meet specifications.

May participate in the development of training programs regarding all aspects of producing quality products.

May conduct or serve as a lead/coordinator of investigations and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) recommendations related to manufactured products.

Works with Research and Development during new product start-ups, and establishes key checkpoints for new products and processes.

May assist or lead compliance audits as required. May interface with regulatory agencies as required.

Compliance, Audits & Inspections

Participate in internal GMP audits and routine walk-throughs of Manufacturing, QC, and Warehouse areas to support continuous improvement.

Support during regulatory inspections and internal audits.

Monitor regulatory requirements and proactively assess potential operational compliance risks.

Quality Systems & Documentation

Approve GMP documentation including risk assessments, procedures, master batch records, specifications, and analytical methods. Drive continuous improvement of quality processes supporting GMP operations.

Leadership & Collaboration

Provide leadership, development, and mentoring for Quality personnel supporting GMP operations.

Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, QC, Process Development, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality management on corporate and site initiatives.

Lead or support Quality-related operational projects and improvement initiatives.

Provide on-call Quality Assurance support to Manufacturing and QC operations, as required.

Use risk-based decision making to prioritize tasks and ensure product quality.

Maintain strong working knowledge of Health Canada, FDA, and global GMP expectations.

Knowledge:

Proficient in GMPs and/or GLPs.

Proficient in application of QA principles, concepts, industry practices, and standards.

Demonstrates ability to effectively manage multiple projects/priorities.

Has proven analytical and conceptual skills.

Demonstrates understanding of international quality systems regulations to adopt best in class systems/processes

Demonstrates excellent verbal communication, technical writing and interpersonal skills.

Demonstrates working knowledge and good proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Knowledge of Six Sigma, Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) methodology, performance measures and quality improvement statistical methods are beneficial.

Working knowledge of Risk Management tools (e.g., Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and / or Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA)) is beneficial.

Specific Education & Experience Requirements:

6+ years of relevant experience in a GMP environment related field and a BS or BA OR

4+ years of relevant experience and a MS.

Hands-on experience supporting biologics, GMP Manufacturing and QC operations is required.

Strong understanding and experience of materials management, manufacturing and analytical methods and testing systems within a GMP environment.

Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills are required.

Accountabilities:

Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.

Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and realize their purpose.

Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem. 

The salary range for this position is: $136,340.00 - $176,440.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

For jobs in the United States:

Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex , age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com  for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the  'Know Your Rights' poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the  legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.