Senior Manager, Upstream Process Development (f/m/d)
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 23, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 21, 2026. Danaher scores A on the Alion truth index.
Bring more to life.
Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?
At Cytiva, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives-and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.
You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact - innovating at the speed of life.
Working at Cytiva means being at the forefront of providing new solutions to transform human health. Our incredible customers undertake life-saving activities ranging from fundamental biological research to developing innovative vaccines, new medicines, and cell and gene therapies.
At Cytiva you will be able to continuously improve yourself and us - working on challenges that truly matter with people that care for each other, our customers, and their patients. Take your next step to an altogether life-changing career.
Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.
The Senior Manager, Upstream Process Development, Viral Vectors is responsible for defining and executing the strategic vision for viral vector upstream process development capabilities supporting Cytiva’s Cell and Gene Therapy business. This role leads multiple scientific and technical programs, develops organizational capabilities, drives technology innovation, and partners across R&D, commercial, and customer-facing organizations to deliver differentiated solutions for gene therapy developers. The role has accountability for talent development, portfolio prioritization, operational excellence, and the advancement of next-generation manufacturing technologies for AAV, lentiviral vectors, and emerging viral vector platforms.
This position reports to the Director, Cell Line Development R&D and is part of the Viral Vector Organization located in Cologne, Germany and will be an on-site role.
What You Will Do
- Provide strategic leadership for the Viral Vector Upstream Process Development function, aligning technology roadmaps with business objectives and customer needs.
- Lead and develop managers, scientists, and technical specialists while building organizational capabilities that support Cytiva's long-term growth strategy.
- Oversee multiple customer-facing and internal development portfolios, ensuring effective prioritization of resources, risk management, and successful program execution.
- Drive innovation in viral vector manufacturing platforms including high-throughput screening, automation, microbioreactors, digital tools, and advanced bioprocessing platforms for transient and stable production platforms for AAV, lentiviral vectors, and future gene therapy modalities.
- Partner with Cell Line Development, Analytical Development, Downstream Development, Quality, Regulatory, Commercial, and Business Development teams to create integrated platform solutions.
- Champion implementation of the Danaher Business System (DBS) to improve productivity, quality, scalability, and customer outcomes.
- Drive organizational talent development, succession planning, and leadership coaching to foster a high-performing and inclusive culture.
Who You Are
- PhD or Master's degree in Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Cell Biology, or related scientific discipline.
- PhD with 10+ years or Master's with 15+ years of relevant industry experience in biologics, cell and gene therapy, or viral vector process development.
- 5+ years of people leadership experience, including experience leading managers, multidisciplinary teams, or larger functional groups.
- Extensive experience developing upstream manufacturing processes for viral vectors including AAV, lentiviral vectors, and other ATMPs.
- Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional programs and influencing senior stakeholders across matrix organizations.
- Experience establishing technology roadmaps and implementing new scientific capabilities within an R&D or development organization.
- Proven ability to drive customer-focused innovation and support business growth through technical leadership.
It Would Be a Plus If You Also Possess Experience In
- Commercial CDMO, service business, or customer-facing development environments.
- Downstream process development for viral vectors, including chromatography and analytical assays
- Technology transfer, GMP manufacturing support, and CMC development for gene therapy products.
Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.
For more information, visit www.danaher.com.