Land a job that changes lives - even yours

Biopharma manufacturers are looking for workers just like you to fill hundreds of open positions.

Detail-oriented. Helpful. Quick learner. Team player.

If you possess these qualities, biopharma manufacturing is calling your name.

Many biopharma manufacturing companies across North Carolina are hiring for roles that require no science background and minimal training qualifications. Whether you’re looking to enter the industry amidst a COVID-19 displacement or reset your job path entirely, landing a job in this booming sector is easier than you think.

Thermofisher technician


Learn about job benefits and getting started with training in the FAQs.

What is biopharma manufacturing?

North Carolina biopharma manufacturing sites produce an array of products, including small-molecule therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, industrial enzymes, and vaccines. Workers in these roles are contributing to the care and treatment of all kinds of diseases and illnesses across the globe.

Biopharma manufacturing landscape in NC

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80

sites across the state

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biomanufacturing

workforce in the U.S.

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26,800+

employees

North Carolina is one of the world's leading hubs for biopharma manufacturing. Major companies have announced expansions within the last few years and anticipate hiring 5,000 workers in the coming years.

 

What kind of products are made in North Carolina?

Major vaccines, medicines and treatments are made right here in North Carolina and serve patients all over the world, including:

  • HPV vaccine at Merck in Durham and Wilson
  • Flu vaccine at Seqirus in Holly Springs
  • Ebola treatment at Grifols in Clayton
Seqirus Holly Springs technician

Biopharma manufacturing training and education resource


Whether you are looking for a new job or want to switch careers, North Carolina has created a variety of opportunities to succeed in biopharma manufacturing.

The biopharma manufacturing education and training resources page is a compilation of opportunities across the state organized by education level and region, so you can easily find training in your area.

Biowork Certificate Program

The BioWork certificate program is a great first step for landing a job in the biopharma manufacturing field.

The 136-hour course teaches the foundational skills needed to begin a career as a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing company. Process technicians are responsible for the production of chemical and pharmaceutical products. 

NCBioNetwork has more details about the program, signing up for an info session and what community colleges offer the program.

View the NCBioNetwork BioWork page.

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Specialized training institutions

Below are a few institutions across the state that specialize in biopharma manufacturing training.

  • NC BioNetwork

    BioNetwork is the N.C. Community College System’s life science training initiative that includes:

    • BioWork Certificate Program - The BioWork certificate program is a 136-hour course that teaches the foundational skills needed to begin a career as a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing company. Process technicians are responsible for the production of chemical and pharmaceutical products.
    • Open enrollment and customized courses and workshops for incumbent employees and transitional workers
    • Hands-on activities for students and professional development for K-14 teachers

    Capstone Center - Industry-grade tools and a certified cleanroom suite mirror a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The Capstone Center is located in the Golden LEAF BTEC building on NC State's Centennial campus in Raleigh.

     

  • Biomanufacturing Technology & Education Center (BTEC)

    BTEC at North Carolina State University uses the latest biomanufacturing technologies to provide hands-on learning opportunities including:

    • Undergraduate minor, Professional Science Master’s degrees, and both undergraduate- and graduate-level certificates
    • Open enrollment and customized short courses for industry professionals
    • Contract bioprocess and analytical services
  • Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE)

    BRITE at North Carolina Central University provides hands-on learning opportunities including:

    • Undergraduate and graduate degree programs
    • Internship and on-campus research experiences
    • Outreach and community programs for students and teachers
  • National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce

    The National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce is a Forsyth Technical Community College and NC Community College System program that prepares workers for in-demand jobs in advanced technologies to help maintain U.S. competitiveness in a global economy.

     

  • The North Carolina Pharmaceutical Services Network (PSN)

    PSN is a collaboration between East Carolina University and Pitt Community College providing a continuum of training including:

    • Oral Solid Dose short course for students and new and incumbent pharma employees
    • Graduate level GMP courses
    • Analytical services for government, academia, and industry

Biopharma manufacturing job profiles

There are many roles at a biopharma manufacturing facility. Below are a handful of entry-level jobs you may be interested in.

Process Technician

Process technicians typically work in a pharmaceutical manufacturing clean-room environment, operating and monitoring equipment and machinery and documenting results in strict adherence to protocols.

Process Engineers

Process engineers plan, design, install and maintain equipment and processes for manufacturing and testing pharmaceutical products, including cost estimations, ensuring that everything runs safely and efficiently and meets regulatory standards. 

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance associates are responsible for reviewing and approving documentation involving all aspects of the production process, such as batch records assuring adherence to current good manufacturing practice standards, and often involving oversight of training records and company quality metrics to meet corporate standards as well as expectations from government regulatory bodies. 

Quality Control Associates

Quality Control Associates typically work in a lab, testing the products of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes to ensure they meet established criteria, so the final product is safe to release for sale or distribution. 

Maintenance and/or Instrumentation Technicians

Maintenance and/or Instrumentation Technicians conduct preventive maintenance and corrective repair of buildings, industrial systems, and equipment such as bioreactors, autoclaves and testing devices. 

Process Development Associates/Scientists

Process Development Associates/Scientists plan, direct, execute and document the scientific activities needed to develop processes used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products.  

  • What are the benefits of a biopharma manufacturing job?

    Biopharma manufacturing is one of the most robust career pathways in North Carolina, and landing a job in this fast-growing sector is more accessible than ever.

     

    Here are just a few benefits of a job in biopharma manufacturing:

    • High average starting salary. Entry-level jobs pay close to $50,000. Average annual salaries in the industry approach $100k.
    • Minimal training. You don't need a science degree to land one of these jobs. Companies are looking for workers with all types of educational backgrounds.
    • Job security. Demand for workers in these roles is high. North Carolina's biopharma manufacturing companies are anticipated to hire more than 5,000 workers over the next five years.
  • What kinds of jobs are available?

    While there are many jobs and job paths available in the biopharma manufacturing sector, there are a handful of entry-level positions that are needing to be filled right away.

     

    Visit the jobs profile tab to learn more about these roles.

     

  • Where are these jobs?

    These jobs are available all across North Carolina.

     

  • How do I get started in the biopharma manufacturing industry?

    Education and training requirements vary depending on job type and company. The good news is many employers are looking for entry-level employees with minimal training.

     

    If you're just starting out, the BioWork Certificate Program, available at many community colleges across the state, is a great place to start. This 136-hour, hands-on program will teach you the foundational skills you need to begin a career at a biopharma manufacturing company.

    We also recommend contacting your local community college to see what courses and programs are available. You can also browse our biomanufacturing education and training resource page to find training programs near you.

    Visit the training tab to learn about other training opportunities.

     

See for yourself how thousands of workers are making a difference.

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process technician
glenmark pharma technician
training cohort at BTEC
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maintenance technician
mayne pharma employee
ACC training cohort
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glenmark technician
Training at BTEC
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maintenance technician
quality assurance associate
process engineer
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Ready to land your new job?

View the biomanufacturing training resources or visit the BioWork page to learn about training opportunities in your area.

Questions?

Contact us with questions about biopharma manufacturing training opportunities in North Carolina.

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Photos provided by: Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center; NC BioNetwork; Glenmark Pharmaceuticals; Mayne Pharma; Seqirus; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pharma Services

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