Validation Engineer II

About Artiva:

We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies. Our mission is to develop effective, safe, and accessible cell therapies for patients with devastating autoimmune diseases. We aim to develop therapies that patients and physicians can utilize in a community setting. Our lead product candidate, AlloNK®, is a non-genetically modified, cryopreserved NK cell therapy being evaluated in combination with B-cell targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We believe the compelling cell killing properties of NK cells, when combined with mAbs for targeting, creates an opportunity to generate potentially transformative therapies.

For more information, visit www.artivabio.com.

Position Summary 

Artiva Biotherapeutics is seeking a Validation Engineer II to support qualification and validation activities for GMP facilities, utilities, equipment, computerized systems, and manufacturing processes supporting cell therapy manufacturing operations. 

The successful candidate will support lifecycle validation activities while ensuring compliance with FDA, EU GMP, and internal quality requirements. Experience in cell therapy, biologics, aseptic manufacturing, Annex 1 contamination control, and startup or high-growth biotechnology environments is preferred. 

Essential Responsibilities:

Validation, Qualification, and Lifecycle Management 

• Author, execute, review, and approve IQ, OQ, IOQ, IOPQ, PQ, requalification protocols, and validation reports. 

• Support commissioning, qualification, startup, field verification, and testing activities for GMP manufacturing systems, utilities, facilities, and equipment. 

• Maintain validation lifecycle documentation and ensure deliverables are technically sound, compliant, and inspection-ready. 

• Assess change controls, system impacts, validation requirements, and ongoing compliance needs. 

Risk, Quality Events, and Compliance 

• Perform risk assessments, FMEA, impact assessments, and criticality determinations using risk-based validation and ASTM E2500 principles. 

• Support validation-related deviations, investigations, root cause analysis, CAPAs, and timely closure of quality events. 

• Ensure compliance with FDA cGMP, EU GMP Annex 1 and Annex 15, ASTM E2500, ISPE guidance, and internal quality systems. 

• Support regulatory inspections, client audits, and internal audits. 

Cross-Functional Support 

• Partner with Manufacturing, Facilities, Engineering, Quality, Automation, and Regulatory Affairs to support equipment onboarding, facility expansion, technology transfer, capital projects, and project execution. 

Qualifications

Education 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.  

• 2–5 years of validation experience in a regulated GMP environment. 

• Experience authoring and executing qualification protocols, validation reports, and lifecycle documentation. 

• Working knowledge of equipment, utility, facility, process, and risk-based validation principles. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience supporting cell therapy, gene therapy, biologics, sterile manufacturing, aseptic processing, or controlled environments. 

• Knowledge of EU GMP Annex 1, Annex 15, ASTM E2500, ISPE guidance, 21 CFR Part 11, CSV/CSA, and contamination control strategies. 

• Experience qualifying cleanrooms, HVAC, environmental monitoring systems, cryogenic storage, controlled-rate freezers, biosafety cabinets, incubators, or similar GMP systems. 

• Experience supporting facility startup, expansion, technology transfer, regulatory inspections, or client audits in a startup or growth-stage biotechnology organization. 

Key Competencies 

• GMP validation lifecycle knowledge, technical writing, and inspection-ready documentation practices. 

• Risk-based problem solving, contamination control awareness, and continuous improvement mindset. 

• Strong collaboration, organization, and project execution skills in a fast-paced environment. 

Additional Information 

• Full-time, Monday–Friday position based in a GMP-regulated facility in San Diego, CA. 

• On-call activities required as assigned. 

• Reports to Validation Lead. 

In addition to a great culture, we offer:

• A beautiful facility 
• An entrepreneurial, highly collaborative, and innovative environment
• Comprehensive benefits, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Group Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company paid holidays, including the year-end holiday week
• Our recognition program, Bonus.ly, is where you can trade in points earned for things you want.

If all this speaks to you, come join us on our journey!

Base salary: $87,000–$103,000 annually. Exact compensation may vary based on level, skills and experience.