Director, Package Engineering
Vertex Pharmaceuticals · Boston, MA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $190k–$285k
- Travel
- 20%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 12+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level manufacturing role at Vertex Pharmaceuticals (pharma & life sciences) in Boston, MA. May have financial accountabilities and human resource responsibilities for assigned staff.
- They ask for
- 12+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Automation
- Base pay
- $190k–$285k
- Day to day
- about 20% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Massachusetts: typical posted base $100k–$145k. This one lists $190k–$285k.
Median of the low and high ends of 35 live postings that list pay, out of 65 manufacturing engineer openings in Massachusetts, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Massachusetts plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 64 other live manufacturing postings in Massachusetts.
- Base pay
- About 107% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (12+ vs 5+)
Typical $95k–$134k, from 31 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 54%
- Lean 51%
- ✓ Automation 45%
- Root cause 40%
- ✓ New product launch 38%
- SolidWorks 32%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- The posting says about 20% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston
16 other open roles at this site.
- Associate Director, Automation Engineering · Controls · Director+
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- Operational Excellence & Business Analytics Associate Director · Lean / CI · Director+
- Senior Director Cell & Genetic Therapies Quality - Personalized Medicine · Quality · Director+
- Associate Director, CMC Quality Compliance and Inspection Readiness (Hybrid) · Quality · Director+
- Associate Director, GMP Operational Quality (Biologics and Devices) · Quality · Director+
Full description from Vertex PharmaceuticalsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Responsible for technical packaging engineering and leverages knowledge to build alignment across technical areas or functions
- ◆Supports Regulatory on packaging related CMC strategy and market applications
- ◆Represents MS&T on corporate and strategic teams (e.g. supplier partnerships); participates in the long range planning process
- ◆Provides leadership to resolve critical issues impacting packaging operations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders
- ◆Reviews and approves documents with strategic importance to department or organization
- ◆Defines strategy and champions effective continuous improvement of packaging operations
- ◆Leads through subordinate managers or higher level professionals.
- ◆Recruits, directs, motivates and develops teams, maximizing contribution, professional growth and ability to build and sustain a high-performing workforce.
- ◆Designs and implements functional/department goals; contributes to the development of operational strategy and develops annual business plans to ensure alignment.
- ◆As a people manager within the organization, may have financial accountabilities and human resource
responsibilities
for assigned staff.
Education and Experience
- ✓Bachelor's Degree in Packaging, Chemical, Mechanical, Material Engineering, or a relevant discipline
- ✓Typically requires 12 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of advanced education and experience, including 5 years of leadership/management experience.
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
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Job Description
General Summary
The Director, Package Engineering leads a technical team of packaging engineers responsible for successful late-stage development, commercialization and supply of Vertex products. This role models leadership behaviors, builds an organization capable of ensuring future success, develops leaders, and drives efficiency and risk reduction into relevant internal and external processes. This role is a major contributor to the Manufacturing Science and Technology strategy development and to the collective success of Commercial Manufacturing & Technical Operations, Supply Chain, and Vertex.
Knowledge and Skills
- •Experience in one or multiple packaging disciplines including primary packaging materials and closure systems, design of secondary and tertiary components, component compatibility, component qualification, equipment installation and qualification
- •Experience supporting packaging for pharmaceutical products from research through registration and launch
- •Acumen recruiting quality staff and refining activities to improve productivity across disciplines
- •Advanced understanding of regulatory and supply chain fields that impinge on primary areas of responsibility
- •Displays compelling verbal, written and presentation skills in communication with internal and external customers
- •Ability to navigate a fast-paced, strong-matrix work environment
- •Exhibits an outstanding record in multiple projects, enabling the success of others
- •Ability to travel domestic and international (approximately 20%)
Pay Range
$189,700 - $284,500
Disclosure Statement
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as
1. Hybrid : work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site : work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.