Mechanical Engineer III

Mechanical Engineer III, Albuquerque, NM

Build your future at Curia, where our work has the power to save lives 

Curia is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with over 30 years of experience partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to provide life-saving treatments to patients. At Curia, we are on a mission to advance our customers’ therapies from curiosity to cure and ultimately to improve patients’ lives.

We proudly offer

• Generous benefit options (eligible first day of employment) 
• Paid training, vacation and holidays (vacation accrual begins on first day of employment)
• Career advancement opportunities 
• Education reimbursement
• 401K program with matching contributions
• Learning platform
• And more! 

Summary:

The Mechanical Engineer III is responsible for ensuring the reliable operation, optimization, and enhancement of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and related systems. This role supports manufacturing operations both on and off the production floor, with a strong focus on hands-on troubleshooting, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement.

Working with minimal supervision, the Mechanical Engineer III leads complex engineering projects such as equipment modifications, capacity expansions, and technology transfers. The role applies advanced technical expertise to resolve recurring or high-impact equipment issues, conducts root cause analyses, and implements sustainable corrective and preventive actions. In addition, the Mechanical Engineer III provides technical mentorship to junior engineers and mechanics, reviews and approves engineering documentation, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with GMP, safety, and regulatory requirements. By driving equipment performance and improvement initiatives, this role directly contributes to efficient, compliant, and safe pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Lead and support multiple manufacturing engineering projects from conception through completion, including equipment modifications, upgrades, capacity expansions, and technology transfers.
• Partner with technical operations to strengthen and optimize production tools and systems, improving uptime, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Provide advanced technical support and troubleshooting for pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment such as filling lines, capping and stoppering systems, sterilizers, autoclaves, and associated utility systems (compressed air, nitrogen, and process vacuum).
• Conduct root cause analyses for recurring or high-impact equipment issues and implement long-term corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including Production, Quality, Validation, and Facilities—to design, modify, and qualify equipment that supports cGMP operations and product development.
• Ensure all engineering activities and projects comply with GMP, safety standards, and regulatory requirements, including familiarity with NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, NFPA 70B, and NFPA 79.
• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, including equipment specifications, cost estimates, facility drawings, engineering change orders (ECOs), and work orders, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and mechanics; review and approve technical documents and project deliverables.
• Plan, prioritize, and track assigned projects to ensure completion within defined timelines and budgets, while balancing multiple priorities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and contractors to support the design, fabrication, installation, and qualification of equipment and facility systems.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce downtime, improve manufacturing efficiency, and enhance equipment reliability.
• Read/interpret SOPs to ensure compliance
• Maintain up to date trainings
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:                                                          

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field of study
• Minimum of five (5) years mechanical engineering exper