QA/QC Manager - DPF - Houston

The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and many others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available to address the vast need. For this reason, we are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers available for transplant. We believe an unlimited supply of tolerable, transplantable organs will eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases for which transplant is not currently an option.

Who You Are

The QA/QC Manager provides operational and tactical leadership for the on-site Quality Assurance and Quality Control Microbiology function at the Designated Pathogen-Free (DPF) Facility in support of xenotransplantation organ manufacturing. This position is responsible for governing the environmental monitoring program at the site, leading deviation and CAPA management for the microbiology and on-site QA functions.

You’re a hands-on quality leader who knows that strong systems matter most when they work in the real world. You bring deep expertise in Quality Assurance, QC microbiology, and environmental monitoring, along with the judgment to identify risk, solve problems, and maintain compliance in a highly regulated environment. You’re energized by the opportunity to apply that expertise to one of the most innovative areas of modern medicine: xenotransplantation.

• Manage Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs to support regulatory and clinical efforts aimed at achieving FDA approval for advanced therapeutic products
• Provide operational leadership for the on-site QA/QC microbiology function at the DPF, including environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, on-site QA oversight, and inspection readiness
• Govern the environmental monitoring program for barrier and non-barrier areas of the DPF, including program design review, qualification, periodic trending, signal detection, and continuous improvement
• Serve as a senior QA approver of controlled documents in MasterControl and quality records in TrackWise
• Lead or oversee root cause analysis for microbiological and environmental events; drive timely CAPA execution and effectiveness verification under risk-based prioritization
• Partner with Site Operations, Animal Care, and Facilities to align microbiology and EM controls with operational reality and risk; provide Quality input on facility, process, and equipment changes
• Establish operational metrics and dashboards for the QA/QC microbiology function; report performance, risks, and trends to senior Quality leadership on a recurring cadence
• Drive supplier qualification activities for critical microbiological consumables, media, reagents, and contract test laboratories; support supplier audit programs as needed
• Support strategic initiatives related to the DPF Quality Management System (QMS), inspection readiness, right-first-time execution, and continuous improvement
• Act as QA representative in product development meetings, technology transfer, and scale-up activities
• Perform internal and vendor audits; track corrective actions and manage audit files; summarize data for annual product reports
• Conduct QA oversight activities, including deviation/failure investigations, change control documentation, complaints, SOPs, and product quality reviews
• Lead risk assessments and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) programs to proactively address quality issues and prevent recurrence
• Lead controlled document collaboration, review, and approval within the electronic document management system
• Provide real-time review of clinical case data, which may require procedure and data review outside of normal business hours
• Support Operations, Quality, and R&D in preparing validation protocols and reports; coordinate validation plans and tasks to ensure timely completion of projects
• Develop and provide guidance on new initiatives and quality improvements; assess internal processes for efficiency
• Assist management during FDA or other regulatory inspections; interpret inspection direction and respond quickly to mitigate potential issues; support timely and accurate data/document transfer to inspectors; act with discretion

Minimum Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in a GMP/QSR regulated environment with a Bachelor's Degree or
• 6+ years of experience in a GMP/QSR regulated environment with a Master's Degree
• Applied knowledge of GMP/QSR, FDA regulations, GxP principles, and industry standards, with the ability to apply requirements to company-specific processes, products, and preservation of lungs
• Demonstrated applied expertise in cGMP requirements, environmental monitoring program governance, and QC microbiology operations
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections (FDA, USDA, and other agencies) as a subject matter expert
• Direct experience reviewing and approving controlled documents, deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality records within electronic quality systems
• Experience leading root cause analysis for microbiological and environmental events; familiarity with risk-based decision-making (e.g., ICH Q9 principles)
• Strong analytical judgment with exceptional problem-solving and risk assessment capabilities
• Ability to interpret data and apply GxP principles to xenotransplantation-specific procedures, processes, and products
• Experience in review/audit of medical & Quality records
• Exceptional skills in problem and risk analysis/assessments
• Ability to review work performed by other personnel, communicate problems and deficiencies, elicit corrections, and enforce company policy and procedures
• Expertise in preparing for and managing FDA, EMA, and ISO audits

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to lead organizational change related to quality systems and compliance
• Experience contributing to IND, IDE, or BLA submissions
• Experience with TrackWise and MasterControl (eDMS)
• Experience creating and implementing a QMS

This position is located 100% onsite at our Houston, TX facility.

At United Therapeutics, our mission and vision are one. We use our enthusiasm, creativity, and persistence to innovate for the unmet medical needs of our patients and to benefit our other stakeholders. We are bold and unconventional. We have fun, we do good.

Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities

United Therapeutics Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.