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Sr Validation Engineer I

Kite Pharma


Job Location:

Oceanside, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 123930 - 160380
Posted: 22 August 2026 (13 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 19 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Were here for one reason and one reason only to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. Weve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But were not finished yet.

Join Kite as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.

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 Kite and help create more tomorrows.


Job Description

Everyone at Kite is grounded by one common goal curing cancer. Every single day we seek to establish adirectline between thatpurposeand our day-to-day work. Join us in our mission! We are seeking a highly effective Senior Validation Engineer responsible for planning execution and documentation of commissioning qualification and validation activities for manufacturing and Quality Control equipment facilities utilities and related systems. The role requires extensive hands-on validation experience including protocol authoring field execution data analysis technical report generation and support of digital validation processes through KNEAT and other validation systems.

Responsibilities(include but are not limited to):

  • Responsible for performing validation of manufacturing and Quality Control equipment storage areas utility systems facilities processes and/or automation systems. This includes developing validation master plans with minimal supervision preparing protocols independently analyzing test results and preparing technical reports.

  • Develop execute and analyze temperature mapping and autoclave heat penetration studies to support equipment qualification and regulatory compliance.

  • Lead validation projects through the development of validation schedules master plans protocols reports and related lifecycle documentation for systems supporting clinical and commercial manufacturing.

  • Perform lead and document commissioning qualification validation and temperature mapping activities for facilities utilities equipment storage environments and related systems in accordance with SOPs cGMPs and regulatory requirements.

  • Serve as the KNEAT SME and power user providing technical guidance user support process improvements and expertise in the execution and management of digital validation records and workflows.

  • Coordinates validation activities with and seeks team supports from Validation Development Manufacturing Engineering Quality third Parties and other groups on validation projects to ensure validation projects are carried out on time and on budget.

  • Coordinates the activities of assigned validation contract personnel and ensures the quality of completed work.

  • Investigate validation deviations or failures identify root causes support corrective actions and escalate technical or compliance risks as appropriate.

  • Maintain compliant validation records and support data integrity documentation quality and lifecycle validation requirements.

  • Provide technical guidance to validation technicians junior staff internal teams contractors and vendors.

  • Represents the department on cross-functional project teams.

  • As required assists in preparation of regulatory submissions and presents validations in respective SME areas to regulatory authorities during routine internal and pre-approval inspections.

  • Support occasional night weekend or off-shift work based on business needs.

  • Additional duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelors degree in engineering engineering technology or related field with 7 years of experience in equipment facility and utilities validation.

  • Masters degree with 5yearsof experience in validation in a biotech/pharma industry

  • Experience in GMP/cGMP-regulated environments

  • Extensive hands-on experience developing executing and documenting commissioning qualification and validation activities including protocol authoring field execution data analysis deviation resolution and report generation.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience validating equipment facilities and utility systems within a GMP-regulated biotechnology or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

  • In-depth understanding and application of validation principles concepts practices and standards.

  • Working knowledge of cell therapy manufacturing equipment utility systems and supporting infrastructure.

  • Experience with digital validation systems including KNEAT electronic validation workflows and data management practices.

  • Experience developing and executing temperature mapping studies and autoclave heat penetration studies.

  • In-depth knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

  • Experience supporting regulatory inspections and interactions with health authorities.

  • Excellent verbal written and interpersonal communication skills

  • Demonstrated investigation and report writing skills.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

  • Strong analytical problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.


The salary range for this position is: $123930.00 - $160380.00. Kite 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:

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


Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune systems ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica CA. For more information on Kite please visit . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at jobs in the United States:

Kite Pharma 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 disabilitygenetic 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 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 for assistance.


For more information about equal employment opportunity protections please view theKnow Your Rights poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT


Kite Pharma 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.


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

For Current Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.


Required Experience:

Senior IC


About Company

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Kite is dedicated to curing cancer. Learn about the science of cell therapy, our cancer research, and our cancer treatments in the pipeline.

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