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Senior Sustainability Engineer

Alkermes • United States • Added on Sep 8, 2026
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As a Senior Sustainability Engineer, you will bridge the gap between high-level enterprise strategy and practical site execution. You will lead the technical planning and delivery of environmental projects across the company’s facilities, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization. Your work involves standardizing data collection and embedding green principles directly into capital projects and daily manufacturing operations.

This role is vital because it translates corporate climate commitments into the high-stakes environment of neuroscience drug development. By conducting lifecycle assessments and carbon footprinting for specialized biopharma processes, you ensure that life-saving innovation does not come at an environmental cost. You will be the primary driver of a decarbonization culture within a highly regulated manufacturing framework.

This suits someone who possesses a strong engineering background and the ability to influence cross-functional leaders. You should thrive when turning complex environmental data into actionable, scalable operational improvements in a hybrid work setting.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to act as the technical lead for environmental impact reduction across the company’s global portfolio. You will be responsible for translating high-level corporate sustainability goals into practical, scalable engineering initiatives at the site level. Day-to-day responsibilities include leading resource optimization projects, conducting carbon footprint assessments, and ensuring all sustainability efforts remain compliant with environmental regulations. You will also be tasked with establishing standardized processes for data collection and KPI tracking to measure progress against science-based targets.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in biopharmaceutical lifecycle assessments (LCA), learning how to quantify the environmental footprint of complex drug manufacturing processes. This role offers significant exposure to international sustainability frameworks such as ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. Furthermore, you will sharpen your skills in change management and organizational influence, learning how to embed sustainability into capital project workflows and technology transfers within a highly regulated, science-driven industry.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings 7 to 10 years of experience in environmental or energy engineering, specifically within regulated manufacturing environments like biotech or pharma. A technical degree in engineering or sustainability is essential to handle the data-heavy aspects of the role. Soft skills are equally important; you should be a persuasive communicator capable of coaching site leaders and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Professional certifications in energy management or carbon accounting are highly valued assets.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your technical successes in multi-site energy efficiency or resource reduction projects. Alkermes values 'patient-inspired science,' so demonstrating how your engineering work supports the broader mission of responsible drug manufacturing will resonate. Highlight any experience you have with operational excellence or lean manufacturing, as these methodologies align well with their focus on continuous improvement. Be prepared to discuss how you have navigated regulatory constraints while implementing green initiatives.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on operational decarbonization and resource circularity within the R&D and manufacturing sites. This includes improving the energy profile of laboratories and production facilities to meet enterprise-level climate commitments. There is also a significant focus on product-level sustainability, using data-driven insights to evaluate the environmental impact of the product pipeline from development through to commercialization.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

A primary challenge will be balancing strict regulatory requirements in drug manufacturing with the need for innovative environmental upgrades. Implementing changes in a biopharma setting requires rigorous validation and alignment with EHS standards. Additionally, influencing a culture of sustainability across diverse sites requires overcoming inertia and ensuring that site-level teams prioritize environmental goals alongside their primary production targets.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day involves a mix of technical data analysis and cross-functional meetings with site managers and EHS teams. You might spend the morning reviewing energy consumption trends and the afternoon consulting on a new capital project's sustainability specs. You will also spend time developing awareness campaigns to engage the workforce, ensuring that sustainability is viewed as a shared responsibility rather than a separate administrative task.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role offers a clear path toward strategic ESG leadership, as you will be bridging the gap between engineering and enterprise strategy. Success in this position provides high visibility to global leadership teams. You may also have opportunities to lead global sustainability transformation projects, potentially moving into senior management roles focused on corporate responsibility or environmental health and safety.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with Site Facilities and Operations Managers to implement efficiency projects. Collaboration with EHS teams is critical to ensure compliance and safety throughout all sustainability initiatives. External stakeholders include regulatory bodies and auditors regarding environmental permits, as well as technology vendors who provide the specialized equipment needed for energy and resource optimization.

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