Senior Validation Project Manager

About the role

Our project managers are technical leads first, with a strong background in CQV strategy, development, and field execution. We look for culture fit above all—our people are our most important asset, and great people make great teams. The ideal candidate will have experience managing projects of $1M or more and leading teams of at least 6-8 engineers and consultants on defined scopes of work. A successful CAI project manager will demonstrate direct responsibility for scope, schedule, and budget.

We value experienced generalists, but if you’re a CQV subject-matter expert in facilities, clean utilities, upstream and downstream biotech equipment, single-use disposable, or aseptic fill-finish manufacturing, we’d like to talk to you. While a PMP certification is beneficial, hands-on experience is essential for leading a CAI team.

On any given day, you might lead a budget review meeting, conduct a daily team huddle, review summary reports, write protocols, or support field execution. CAI project managers are active, multifaceted roles—desktop-only project managers need not apply. This role typically reports to a client manager or area manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead budget review meetings and daily team huddles
• Review and prepare summary reports and qualification protocols
• Support field execution and team performance under pressure
• Manage scope, schedule, and budget for life science projects
• Demonstrate success in leading teams to achieve defined goals

Requirements

• BS in a science or engineering field or equivalent experience
• 8–12 years of experience commissioning and qualifying bio-pharma systems and equipment
• Experience with risk assessments, qualification protocols, commissioning plans/test scripts, and summary reports
• Experience with CIP/SIP (desired)
• Three or more years serving as a program or project manager for life science projects with budgets of $1M+
• Demonstrated success in leading teams to achieve defined goals
• Excellent problem-solving and team leadership skills under pressure
• Proficiency with project management software tools
• Customer-service focused
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Able to travel domestically and internationally as required
• Able to work (paid) overtime
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future

About CAI

CAI is a professional services company established in 1996, now employing more than 800 people worldwide. We provide commissioning, qualification, validation, start-up, project management, and other consulting services for operational readiness in FDA-regulated and mission-critical industries.

Our approach is simple: we put the client’s interests first, we do not stop until it is right, and we will do whatever it takes to get there. As employees, we live by our Foundational Principles—acting with integrity, serving each other and society, and working for our future. With employee ownership, one person’s success is everyone’s success. We uphold core values of Team Before Self, Respect for Others, and a Can-Do Attitude.

Benefits

• 4% retirement contribution
• 24 days of paid time off (PTO) and 5 sick days per year
• Extremely low-cost health insurance
• Financial support for internal and external professional education
• 70% company-paid long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance