Process Engineer — UCB, Braine-l’Alleud (Belgium)

If you have a background in engineering or pharma manufacturing and have been looking for a process engineer role in Belgium that sits right at the intersection of production, IT, and digital transformation, this one is worth a close look. UCB is currently hiring a Process Engineer for their Sterile Process Engineering team at their campus in Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium — and the role goes well beyond routine process monitoring.

You would be stepping into a position where you actually shape how sterile manufacturing works at one of Belgium’s biggest biopharmaceutical employers. That means leading projects, driving digital change on the factory floor, and making sure everything stays compliant with GMP and data integrity standards. It is hands-on, it is cross-functional, and it carries real responsibility from day one.

Quick Job Overview

About the Employer

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, with a primary focus on neurology and immunology. The company employs over 9,000 people worldwide and operates research, manufacturing, and commercial hubs across Europe, North America, and Asia. In Belgium specifically, UCB runs major facilities including the Braine-l’Alleud campus — home to a new, high-tech, and environmentally sustainable Biomanufacturing Operations Center designed to support the company’s next generation of biological product launches.

What makes UCB different from many large pharma employers is its deliberate focus on a smaller but deeply specialized portfolio. Rather than spreading thin across dozens of therapeutic areas, UCB concentrates resources on conditions where it believes it can make a meaningful difference — think severe epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and certain autoimmune disorders. For someone considering this role, that matters: you are not a cog in an enormous machine. The work you do on the sterile manufacturing line has a direct line to patients who depend on these therapies.

The company also emphasizes a hybrid-first working culture, collaborative decision-making, and internal mobility. It is not unusual for engineers at UCB to move between projects, sites, or even functions over the course of their career there.

What This Role Involves

This is not a standard “keep the line running” process engineer job in Belgium. UCB is clear that this person will act as both the user representative and project leader for initiatives — digital and otherwise — that affect the Sterile Manufacturing Plant. That means you are the bridge between what the production floor needs and what gets built, installed, or changed.

On a practical level, you will lead or support sterile manufacturing projects from the feasibility stage all the way through risk analysis, execution, and operational handover. You will also be responsible for driving digitalization initiatives specific to sterile manufacturing at the Braine site. That could mean anything from introducing new manufacturing execution systems (MES) to rolling out data integrity tools or automation solutions.

Documentation is a big part of this role. You will write, review, and approve GMP documentation that supports production, validation, and regulatory submissions. You will also ensure that data integrity and cybersecurity compliance — including 21 CFR Part 11 alignment — are maintained across departmental activities. If you have worked in pharma or engineering roles before, you know this is not optional: regulators expect it, and UCB takes it seriously.

Beyond the project work, you will provide first-line IT and process support to production teams. That includes helping with investigations, handling deviations, and supporting CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) processes. The role also asks you to drive continuous improvement and technology watch — keeping an eye on what is new in the field and whether it could make UCB’s manufacturing safer, more efficient, or more sustainable.

Required Skills and Qualifications

UCB has been specific about what they are looking for, and it is a mix of technical depth and interpersonal capability.

On the education side, you need a Master’s degree in Engineering, Pharmacy, IT, or an equivalent field with relevant experience. The role sits at the crossroads of these disciplines, so if your background bridges two of them — say, engineering and IT — that is likely an advantage.

For technical knowledge, UCB expects you to bring strong understanding of GMP requirements and experience working in sterile manufacturing environments. If you have never worked in a GMP-regulated setting, this probably is not the right fit. Sterile manufacturing has its own set of rules, risks, and documentation expectations, and UCB needs someone who can hit the ground running.

Project management and cross-functional coordination experience is also required. You will be working with Production, Engineering, Quality, IT, and HSE teams daily, plus external suppliers. If you are the kind of person who thrives on connecting dots between different departments and keeping complex projects on track, you will fit well.

Language matters here: UCB specifies a “very good command of both French and English.” The Braine-l’Alleud site is in Wallonia, so French is the working language on the production floor, while English is used for corporate communication and documentation. If your French is weak, this will be a real hurdle.

There is also a more subtle requirement woven through the job description: the ability to translate operational needs into IT solutions and IT concepts into manufacturing reality. This tells you the role is not just about knowing one domain well — it is about being fluent enough in both to make them work together.

Finally, UCB is looking for someone autonomous, rigorous, and comfortable in a dynamic, matrixed environment. Strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a proactive approach to problem-solving round out the profile.

Salary, Benefits, and Relocation Support

UCB has not disclosed the salary for this position on its careers page. We cannot provide a salary estimate, as doing so would require guessing based on market data rather than confirmed employer information. If salary is a deciding factor for you, the best approach is to ask about it directly during the application or interview process.

Regarding benefits, UCB’s careers site mentions that the company offers a comprehensive benefits package, though the specifics for this role are not listed on the job page. UCB generally provides competitive benefits consistent with a large Belgian employer in the pharma sector, but we cannot confirm what exactly is included for this position.

Relocation support is not mentioned in the job description. If you would be relocating to Belgium for this role, you should raise this question with UCB’s recruitment team directly.

Work Permit / Visa Note

UCB has not explicitly stated whether this role comes with visa sponsorship or work authorization support. The job description does not mention it, and we will not assume or infer it.

That said, Belgium does have established work permit routes for highly skilled workers from outside the EU/EEA. The most relevant pathway is the Single Permit (also known as the Work Permit B for non-EU nationals), which requires the employer to apply on the worker’s behalf. There is also the EU Blue Card, which is available to highly qualified professionals earning above a minimum salary threshold — as of 2026, that threshold is approximately EUR 3,703 gross per month for highly skilled employees in Belgium, according to KPMG’s updated salary criteria.

Whether UCB would support a work permit application for this role is something only they can answer. If you are a non-EU applicant, it is strongly recommended that you ask about this early in the process — ideally before or during your first interview. You might also find it useful to read about another Belgium-based role on JobsRivo where the EU Blue Card context is discussed in more detail.

Who This Role May Suit

This position is a strong fit for someone who already has experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing in Belgium, particularly in sterile or GMP-regulated environments. If you are a process engineer, validation engineer, or production engineer who has worked in a similar setting and is now looking for a role with more project ownership and a digital transformation angle, this could be the right next step.

The bilingual requirement (French and English) means the role is particularly suitable for candidates already based in Belgium or those with strong French skills. Engineers from France, Switzerland (Romandy), Luxembourg, or other French-speaking regions may find the language transition smooth.

For international candidates outside the EU, the lack of explicit visa sponsorship information means you should proceed with realistic expectations. It is not impossible — UCB is a large, international company that has hired from abroad before — but you should have that conversation early rather than assuming.

How to Apply Officially

You can apply only through UCB’s official careers page. Here is the direct link to this UCB process engineer job:

Apply for Process Engineer at UCB

Do not apply through third-party sites, social media, or unofficial channels. UCB has also posted a warning on its careers page about recruitment phishing scams using its name — at no stage will UCB ask you for payment regarding your application. If someone contacts you claiming to represent UCB and asks for money, report it immediately. For general safety tips, see our Scam Warning page.

Required Documents

UCB has not listed specific required documents on the job page. However, based on standard practice for this type of role, you should have the following ready:

An up-to-date CV or resume highlighting relevant engineering and GMP experience. A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this specific role and how your background aligns. Proof of your Master’s degree in Engineering, Pharmacy, IT, or equivalent. References from previous employers (likely requested later in the process). Evidence of French and English language proficiency, if asked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a remote role?
No. While UCB follows a hybrid-first approach across the company, this role is based on-site at the Braine-l’Alleud campus because it involves direct work with the Sterile Manufacturing Plant. Expect to spend the majority of your working time on-site.

Do I need to speak French?
Yes. UCB explicitly states “a very good command of both French and English” is required. The site is located in Wallonia, and French is the working language for production and floor-level communication.

Does UCB sponsor work visas for this role?
UCB has not confirmed this. If you require a work permit to work in Belgium, contact UCB’s recruitment team before applying to understand whether sponsorship is available.

What is the salary?
UCB has not disclosed the salary on its careers page. You will need to discuss this directly with UCB during the recruitment process.

Is this a permanent or contract position?
The job posting does not specify the employment type. You should clarify this with UCB during the application process.

What does “hybrid-first” mean at UCB?
UCB generally expects employees to spend approximately 40% of their time in the office or on-site. However, manufacturing roles like this one typically require more on-site presence than corporate roles, given the nature of the work.

Relevant Links

Engineering and Construction Jobs on JobsRivo — explore similar engineering roles across multiple countries

Belgium Jobs on JobsRivo — all verified job listings in Belgium

EU Blue Card Jobs on JobsRivo — roles qualifying for the EU Blue Card across Europe

Scam Warning — Protect Yourself — learn how to identify fraudulent job postings

Disclaimer

JobsRivo is an independent job listing portal and is not the employer. Applicants should apply only through the official employer website. JobsRivo does not charge fees, process visas, or guarantee job offers.