Production Operator II​/III - Pharma

Location: Chantilly, VA

Job Type: Full‑Time

Work Authorization: US Citizen, Green Card Holder, or H1B Transfer

We are seeking skilled Production Operators (Level II & III) with strong Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) manufacturing experience to join a pharmaceutical manufacturing team in Chantilly, VA. The Manufacturing/Production Operator is responsible for executing drug product processing activities in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), FDA regulations, and established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This role requires hands‑on experience in solid dose manufacturing environments and the ability to operate, clean, set up, and troubleshoot advanced pharmaceutical equipment.

Candidates must come strictly from the Pharmaceuticals or Nutraceuticals industry
. Soft‑gel manufacturing experience alone will not be considered.

• Operate pharmaceutical production equipment for weighing, blending, dispensing, granulating, drying, milling, compression, encapsulation, coating, pellet coating, and potent compounds
• Perform machine changeovers between batches
• Clean and sanitize equipment per established SOPs (Master Clean/Surface Clean)
• Conduct in‑process checks and batch sampling for quality control
• Execute written SOPs to ensure material purity and product integrity
• Verify Product s, QC release tags, and Batch Production Records (BPR)
• Ensure proper scale usage including zeroing, tare setting, and daily calibration verification

• Complete batch records, protocols, and logbooks accurately and thoroughly
• Verify and document manufacturing processes on BPR in a timely manner
• Maintain compliance with cGMP, FDA, and regulatory requirements
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment

• Assist in troubleshooting and participate in continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide operational updates and participate in production debrief sessions
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to meet production schedules and quality standards

• Experience strictly in Pharmaceutical or Nutraceutical manufacturing
• Mandatory Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) manufacturing experience (no soft‑gel‑only backgrounds)
• Hands‑on experience cleaning, setting up, dismantling, and operating tablet presses and encapsulation equipment
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Compression (including Tri‑Layer Press)
• Granulation
• Encapsulation (Hard‑Gel)
• Wurster Coating
• Pan Coating
• Fluid Bed Dryers
• Bead Tower
• Ackley Laser Drill / Tablet Printing
• Strong knowledge of cGMP and regulated manufacturing environments
• Basic English communication skills (reading and speaking)

• Experience with equipment such as Fette 3200i, Fette P3030, MG2 Planeta, Korsch XM 12
• Strong background in Compression, Encapsulation, Coating, or Wurster Coating
• Experience in pharmaceutical granulation and blending
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma principles

• High School Diploma, GED, or Associate Degree
• 2‑5 years of pharmaceutical manufacturing experience
• Certification or demonstrated proficiency in assigned area

• High School Diploma, GED, or Associate Degree
• 5+ years of pharmaceutical manufacturing experience
• Advanced proficiency and certification in assigned area

Forklift certification may be required for certain roles.

• Ability to stand for up to 12‑hour shifts
• Ability to lift/maneuver up to 50 pounds
  
  Ability to climb ladders and wear required PPE including respirators, safety glasses, ear plugs, and safety shoes