Job Description

Job Description

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description

Position Summary

Gilead Sciences is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Sr. Quality Assurance Specialist to join the Corporate Engineering and Facilities (CEF) team in Foster City, CA. This role is responsible for providing quality oversight and hands-on ownership, authoring, and execution for GxP quality records associated with CEF activities including facilities, utilities, equipment, instruments, and engineering systems.

The Sr. Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable quality objectives, regulatory requirements, and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and serves as the primary owner for applicable deviation investigations, corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), effectiveness checks, and related change controls. This role ensures records are complete, accurate, and inspection-ready and supports appropriate lifecycle management of impacted systems and activities.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of biotech/pharmaceutical mission‑critical facility environments and GxP utility infrastructure, such as HVAC, BMS/EMS, RO/DI and WFI water, CDA, nitrogen, and automated building systems. This role partners closely with Facilities Operations, Technical Engineering, Project Management, EHS, Calibration/Preventive Maintenance, Automation, Validation, vendors, and Quality Assurance to ensure engineering, maintenance, calibration, qualification, and change activities are executed in alignment with regulatory requirements and internal quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Quality System Records (Core Scope)

• Independently conduct, document, and close critical, major, and minor investigations related to facilities, utilities, equipment, instrumentation, calibration, maintenance, and engineering systems.
• Act as the Deviation Investigation Owner for Facilities and Engineering quality records.
• Manage and track Deviation Reports , ensuring timely root cause analysis, impact assessments, and adherence to established due dates.
• Lead, assess, approve, and verify Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) and associated Effectiveness Checks .
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance to ensure appropriate review, approval, and closure of quality records.
• Initiate, author, and support Change Control Records associated with:
  • Facility modifications and utility system changes
  • Equipment and instrument installation or removal
  • BMS/EMS configuration and firmware updates
  • CMMS asset updates and engineering system integrations
• Maintain and update quality tracking tools and databases; issue reminders and monitor performance against targets.
• Develop, analyze, and present quality system metrics and trending reports for management review; escalate risks and issues as appropriate.
• Demonstrated technical writing experience in biotech or pharmaceutical environments.
• Proven technical literacy sufficient to understand facilities, utilities, MEP, and automation systems in support of GxP quality records.

Investigation Leadership & Technical Problem Solving

• Facilitate cross‑functional meetings with Facilities Operations, Engineering, EHS, Calibration/PM, Automation, Validation , and external vendors to align on investigations and corrective actions.
• Apply structured Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies to identify underlying causes and define sustainable preventive actions.
• Lead investigations ranging from moderately complex to highly complex , including:
  • Single‑system issues
  • Multi‑system or cross‑functional CEF events (e.g., system configuration changes, automation interfaces, data trending, and activities spanning multiple CEF disciplines)
• Provide technical input on engineering and maintenance issues , utility performance, asset reliability, and system configuration integrity.

Documentation & Quality Oversight

• Develop, write, revise, and implement controlled documents (SOPs, specifications, work instructions, templates) supporting Facilities Operations and Engineering.
• Review documentation for accuracy, regulatory compliance, and alignment with operational intent .
• Perform high‑level quality reviews of technical data prior to senior management approval.
• Maintain programs and processes that ensure ongoing compliance with cGMPs and internal quality standards .
• Ensure quality records are clear, concise, complete, and inspection‑ready .

Compliance, Audits & Inspection Support

• Support regulatory inspections and serve as an SME for Facilities, Utilities, Equipment, and Engineering Systems.
• Support internal and external audits, including preparation of documentation and written responses.
• Provide interpretation and guidance on cGMP, FDA, EU, and ICH regulations applicable to facilities and engineering systems.
• Maintain current knowledge of compliance requirements through training and participation in industry forums.

Operational & Project Responsibilities

• Identify gaps or inefficiencies in existing processes and collaborate with peers and leadership to implement improvements.
• Exercise sound judgment within established practices to select appropriate methods and evaluation criteria.
• Manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining high‑quality output.
• Support projects and quality events by owning and driving associated GxP quality records (deviations, investigations, CAPAs, change controls).
• Coordinate and integrate inputs from subject matter experts to support timely and compliant record closure.

Management & Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Provide coordination and work direction as needed (e.g., aligning SMEs on inputs, timelines, and deliverables for GxP quality records) without formal people‑management responsibility.
• Lead smaller, tactical initiatives related to quality records or process improvements within the department.
• Serve as the CEF Quality point of contact on cross‑functional initiatives in close partnership with the Quality organization.
• Function as the primary Quality liaison for Facilities and Engineering operations.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong proficiency in cGMPs and Quality Assurance system principles, concepts, and industry best practices.
• Solid working knowledge of biotech/pharmaceutical facilities, utilities, equipment, and instrumentation in regulated GxP environments.
• Proficiency in Root Cause Analysis , Six Sigma/Lean tools , and risk management methodologies (e.g., HACCP, FMEA ).
• Strong audit, investigation, and technical writing skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Bluebeam ; familiarity with EDMS, CMMS, QMS , and other GxP systems preferred.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Experience reading and interpreting facility drawings (P&IDs, floor plans).
• Working knowledge of commissioning and validation activities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or scientific discipline with 6+ years of direct experience in the pharmaceutical or life‑science industry, OR
• Master’s degree with 4+ years of direct industry experience.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of experience in a GMP‑regulated environment , OR
• Master’s degree with 4+ years of GMP‑regulated experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using GxP electronic systems , including EDMS, CMMS, and QMS platforms .

The salary range for this position is: $136,340.00 - $176,440.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

For jobs in the United States:

Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex , age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.

Job Tags

Full time, For contractors, Work at office, Local area

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