Our Work Matters
At Kindeva we make products that save lives, ensuring better health and well-being for patients around the world.
The Impact You Will Make
The Environmental Compliance (EC) and Microbiology Technical Specialist will be located in St. Louis, MO and work between the Brentwood, MO and Bridgeton, MO facilities to support activities. Standard working hours are 0800-1630, Monday through Friday, but may require support outside of those hours as needed.
The EC and Microbiology Technical Specialist is a position responsible for providing site-wide expertise and oversite for microbiology compliance, data review, environmental monitoring (EM), water monitoring programs, laboratory investigations, data integrity, contamination control, inspection readiness, and quality systems within a fast-paced CDMO biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
Role Responsibilities
This role serves as a technical expert and strategic partner for microbiological quality systems and compliance activities across the QC organization. They will assist in investigations, CAPA development, EM oversight, trend review and analysis, computerized laboratory system reviews, and regulatory inspection readiness.
The EC and Microbiology Tech Specialist is responsible for ensuring that microbiological and environmental monitoring programs remain within a state of control, are scientifically sound, risk-based, compliant with global regulatory expectations, and aligned with company quality standards.
This position serves as a subject matter expert for EM, contamination control, water monitoring systems, media fill programs, and Environmental Monitoring Performance Qualifications (EMPQ) activities. The role provides technical expertise to support the environmental compliance and microbiology laboratories.
Compliance Oversight
Serve as a site SME for microbiological compliance, environmental monitoring, contamination control, and microbiological quality systems.
Support continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen QC quality systems, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Serve as a technical advisor to QC leadership for quality, compliance, and technical decision-making.
Data Review and Data Integrity
Perform and/or oversee technical review of microbiology and EM data as needed.
Ensure compliance with: cGMP requirements, Data integrity requirements, ALCOA+ principles, and Good Documentation Practices (GDP)
Evaluate raw data, electronic records, metadata, audit trails, and laboratory documentation as needed.
Support data integrity remediation activities and risk assessments.
MODA and Digital Quality Systems
Serve as QC SME for MODA Environmental Monitoring program and workflows to improve operation automation, efficiency and compliance.
Review validation documents associated with MODA implementation and lifecycle management.
Support computerized system validation activities and periodic review.
Environmental Monitoring, Water System, and Aseptic Process Qualification Oversight
Provide technical oversite of the EM program.
Author, Review, or Approve EM trend reports and utility reports.
Support EM investigations and corrective actions.
Evaluate environmental monitoring data for adverse trends, shifts, or emerging risks.
Assess water system excursion investigations and related CAPAs.
Identify opportunities to strengthen contamination control strategies and monitoring programs.
Review and approve media fill protocols, reports, risk assessments, and associated microbiological/EM documentation.
Serve as an SME during media fill and EMPQ planning, execution, investigations and regulatory inspections.
Support investigations associated with media fill failures, interventions, EM excursions, and other aseptic qualification events.
Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure successful execution of media fill and EMPQ programs.
Train and qualify EM personnel on media fill and EMPQ sampling techniques, aseptic practices, documentation requirements, and contamination control principles.
Technical Review and Trending
Review microbiological and environmental monitoring trends for: Facilities, Utilities, Cleanrooms, Water systems, and Manufacturing operations.
Evaluate data for scientific plausibility and compliance risk.
Identify recurring issues and emerging trends that may impact product quality or patient safety.
Assist with developing recommendations based on trend analysis and risk assessments.
Investigation Leadership
Lead and support complex investigations involving:
EM excursions
Water system excursions
OOS, OOT, OOE
Deviations
Contamination events
Data integrity concerns
Laboratory investigations
Assist with root cause analysis using scientific and risk-based methodologies.
Recommend additional testing, monitoring, or investigative actions when necessary.
Ensure investigations are timely, scientifically justified, and compliant with regulatory expectations.
Partner with QA and functional departments to drive closure of quality events.
CAPA and Effectiveness Program
Assist with development and review of Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPAs).
Evaluate Capa adequacy and sustainability.
Perform CAPA effectiveness checks and assessments.
Monitor recurrence trends and identify opportunities for systemic improvement.
Inspection Readiness and Regulatory Support
Serve and an SME as needed during customer audits and regulatory inspections.
Support FDA, EMA, MHRA, and other health authority inspections.
Lead or support associated responses to regulatory observations and commitments.
Ensure microbiology and environmental monitoring programs remain inspection-ready at all times.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or related scientific discipline.
3-5 years of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CDMO experience in Quality Control, Microbiology, Environmental Monitoring, Quality Systems, or related functions.
Experience in complex investigations and CAPAs or Change Controls.
Experience supporting inspections, audits, and associated responses.
Experience supporting sterile parenteral manufacturing.
Experience with computerized environmental monitoring systems and validation programs.
Technical Knowledge
Environmental monitoring programs
Aseptic Manufacturing
Utility and water system monitoring
Contamination Control strategies
Media qualification
Microbial Identification
Endotoxin Testing
Bioburden Testing
Sterility Testing
Method Validation and Verification
Quality Systems
cGMP regulations
Data integrity
ALCOA+
Good Documentation Practices (GDP)
OOS/OOT/OOE Investigations
Deviations
CAPA Systems
Change Control
Risk Management
Inspection readiness programs
Digital Systems
MODA Environmental Monitoring Systems (or similar)
LIMS
Electronic Quality Systems
Audit Trail Review
Computerized System Validation (CSV)
Competency
Exceptional scientific and technical judgement.
Excellent attention to detail.
Ability to recognize scientifically implausible results and data anomalies.
Strong technical troubleshooting.
Ability to assess risk and make sound recommendations.
Investigation and root cause analysis skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to recognize compliance risks and implement sustainable solutions.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively across functions and organization levels.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
What We Offer
Competitive base salary + performance bonus
Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, 401k, etc.)
Structured mentorship and professional development programs
Exposure to cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies
Clear career progression path toward Senior Manufacturing Engineer roles
Collaborative and supportive work culture
LI-Onsite
