Decomissioning Specialist

Job Title: Decommissioning SpecialistJob Description

The Decommissioning Specialist plans, coordinates, and executes the decommissioning of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, utilities, systems, and facilities in full compliance with GMP requirements, internal procedures, and regulatory expectations. This role works cross-functionally with Engineering, Validation, Quality Assurance, Facilities, EHS, and Operations to ensure safe and compliant asset retirement, facility modifications, and site transition activities, while maintaining accurate documentation and supporting quality and regulatory inspections.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute detailed decommissioning activities for manufacturing equipment, utilities, and facility systems in a GMP-regulated environment.
• Author, review, and approve decommissioning protocols, reports, risk assessments, retirement packages, and supporting GMP documentation.
• Use electronic document management and quality systems to create, manage, route, review, and close decommissioning and validation documentation.
• Coordinate equipment shutdown, isolation, disconnection, removal, and disposal activities to ensure safe and compliant execution.
• Perform equipment and system assessments to determine decommissioning requirements, GMP impact, and quality and compliance risks.
• Support change controls, deviations, CAPAs, and quality records associated with decommissioning activities.
• Ensure proper archival and retirement of validation, maintenance, calibration, and other GMP records related to decommissioned assets.
• Collaborate closely with Validation and Quality teams to retire qualified and validated systems in accordance with site procedures.
• Coordinate contractors, vendors, and site personnel performing decommissioning work, ensuring alignment with project plans and safety requirements.
• Support EHS reviews and risk mitigation activities related to equipment and facility demolition, removal, or modification.
• Track project milestones, documentation status, and completion metrics using site quality systems and document management tools.
• Verify that all decommissioning activities are completed in accordance with GMP requirements, approved procedures, and project schedules.
• Explain decommissioning methodologies, documentation requirements, and GMP compliance expectations during audits and inspections.
• Manage multiple decommissioning workstreams and documentation deliverables simultaneously, maintaining clear priorities and timelines.

Essential Skills

• Experience decommissioning GMP manufacturing equipment, utilities, facilities, or validated systems within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences environments.
• Hands-on experience authoring and managing decommissioning documentation packages, including protocols, reports, change controls, and risk assessments.
• Strong proficiency with electronic document management and quality systems for document authoring, review, approval workflows, and lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GMP regulations and their application to equipment and facility retirement activities.
• Working knowledge of Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) lifecycle processes.
• Ability to assess quality and compliance impacts associated with decommissioning activities.
• Proven experience coordinating Engineering, Quality, Validation, Operations, and EHS stakeholders.
• Strong technical writing skills and meticulous document management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and documentation deliverables.
• Ability to clearly explain decommissioning methodologies, documentation requirements, and GMP compliance expectations during audits and inspections.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in GMP pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• At least 3 years of experience supporting decommissioning, validation, commissioning, qualification, or facility modification projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Experience working with CMMS platforms such as SAP PM or Maximo.
• Experience with Quality Management Systems such as TrackWise, MasterControl, Veeva, or equivalent.
• Experience using Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor"s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related technical discipline is preferred; equivalent industry experience is considered.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD and ability to review facility drawings is preferred.
• Experience with commissioning, qualification, and validation activities in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing complex documentation and project timelines.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Ability to support risk assessments and EHS-related reviews for equipment and facility demolition or removal.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role in a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing environment. The Decommissioning Specialist works closely with Engineering, Validation, Quality Assurance, Facilities, EHS, and Operations teams and regularly interacts with contractors and vendors performing decommissioning work. The position involves working with electronic document management systems, CMMS platforms such as SAP PM or Maximo, Quality Management Systems like TrackWise, MasterControl, or Veeva, and standard office productivity tools including Microsoft Office. The role may require time in both office and production or utility areas, reviewing equipment, systems, and facility layouts, and occasionally using tools such as AutoCAD for facility drawing review.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Framingham, MA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $50.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Framingham,MA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 27, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.