Applications Specialist (global based out of woodale )
Sterling Engineering, Inc.
Wood Dale, IL
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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$90,000–$115,000 Per Year
LOCATION
Wood Dale, IL
POSTED
26 days ago
Job Title: Lead Scientific Applications Specialist – Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT)
Location: Ideally based in Wood Dale, IL; open to remote within the United States
Travel: Approximately 30–50%
Location: Ideally based in Wood Dale, IL; open to remote within the United States
Travel: Approximately 30–50%
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Shift: 1st Shift | Monday–Friday
Compensation: $90,000-115,000+ bonus
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO
Overview
Seeking a Lead Scientific Applications Specialist – CGT to serve as the technical and commercial leader supporting adoption of advanced bioreactor platforms used in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. This role combines deep scientific expertise with customer-facing technical leadership and business development responsibility.
The ideal candidate will work closely with customers, commercial teams, marketing, R&D, and product management to identify new market opportunities, engage prospective customers, and drive adoption of bioreactor-based manufacturing solutions. This individual will play a key role in expanding market presence by leading technical discussions, supporting early-stage process development engagements, and translating customer needs into product and workflow solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for cGMP bioreactor systems used in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Drive technical business development activities by identifying and engaging prospective customers developing CGT manufacturing processes.
Partner with commercial teams to develop and execute strategies to expand adoption of new bioreactor platforms.
Lead scientific and technical discussions with potential customers to understand manufacturing challenges and position appropriate solutions.
Support pre-sales technical engagements, including presentations, demonstrations, feasibility studies, and proposal development.
Work directly with customers across process development, clinical manufacturing, and commercial-scale production environments.
Provide expert troubleshooting and serve as the technical escalation point for complex bioprocessing challenges.
Collaborate with R&D, marketing, and product management to translate market feedback into product improvements and new development opportunities.
Develop application materials including protocols, application notes, case studies, and scientific presentations.
Present technical data at industry conferences, webinars, and customer events to support market awareness and thought leadership.
Provide technical training and mentorship to internal teams including sales and junior application scientists.
Support customers with protocol optimization, process troubleshooting, and implementation of new workflows.
Qualifications
MS required; PhD preferred in Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field.
7+ years of experience in cell and/or gene therapy process development or manufacturing.
Strong hands-on experience with bioreactor systems (single-use closed platforms, stirred-tank systems, perfusion processes).
Experience supporting viral vector production and/or cell therapy manufacturing workflows.
Demonstrated experience in customer-facing roles including technical sales, applications support, or scientific consulting.
Proven ability to identify customer needs and influence technical purchasing decisions.
Strong knowledge of GMP/GxP manufacturing environments within CGT.
Deep understanding of upstream bioprocessing parameters and scale-up principles.
Familiarity with PAT tools, in-line sensors, automation systems, and closed manufacturing platforms.
Experience with scientific databases or data integration tools is a plus.
Shift: 1st Shift | Monday–Friday
Compensation: $90,000-115,000+ bonus
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO
Overview
Seeking a Lead Scientific Applications Specialist – CGT to serve as the technical and commercial leader supporting adoption of advanced bioreactor platforms used in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. This role combines deep scientific expertise with customer-facing technical leadership and business development responsibility.
The ideal candidate will work closely with customers, commercial teams, marketing, R&D, and product management to identify new market opportunities, engage prospective customers, and drive adoption of bioreactor-based manufacturing solutions. This individual will play a key role in expanding market presence by leading technical discussions, supporting early-stage process development engagements, and translating customer needs into product and workflow solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for cGMP bioreactor systems used in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Drive technical business development activities by identifying and engaging prospective customers developing CGT manufacturing processes.
Partner with commercial teams to develop and execute strategies to expand adoption of new bioreactor platforms.
Lead scientific and technical discussions with potential customers to understand manufacturing challenges and position appropriate solutions.
Support pre-sales technical engagements, including presentations, demonstrations, feasibility studies, and proposal development.
Work directly with customers across process development, clinical manufacturing, and commercial-scale production environments.
Provide expert troubleshooting and serve as the technical escalation point for complex bioprocessing challenges.
Collaborate with R&D, marketing, and product management to translate market feedback into product improvements and new development opportunities.
Develop application materials including protocols, application notes, case studies, and scientific presentations.
Present technical data at industry conferences, webinars, and customer events to support market awareness and thought leadership.
Provide technical training and mentorship to internal teams including sales and junior application scientists.
Support customers with protocol optimization, process troubleshooting, and implementation of new workflows.
Qualifications
MS required; PhD preferred in Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field.
7+ years of experience in cell and/or gene therapy process development or manufacturing.
Strong hands-on experience with bioreactor systems (single-use closed platforms, stirred-tank systems, perfusion processes).
Experience supporting viral vector production and/or cell therapy manufacturing workflows.
Demonstrated experience in customer-facing roles including technical sales, applications support, or scientific consulting.
Proven ability to identify customer needs and influence technical purchasing decisions.
Strong knowledge of GMP/GxP manufacturing environments within CGT.
Deep understanding of upstream bioprocessing parameters and scale-up principles.
Familiarity with PAT tools, in-line sensors, automation systems, and closed manufacturing platforms.
Experience with scientific databases or data integration tools is a plus.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
About the Company
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