Biotechnology Manufacturing
What does the Biotechnology Manufacturing industry do?
What’s it like to work at a Biotechnology Manufacturing company?
What kinds of jobs are there in the Biotechnology Manufacturing industry?
How likely is it that a person will be able to find a job in this industry in the Tech Valley Region in the next three to five years?
What does the Biotechnology Manufacturing industry do?
Biotechnology manufacturing produces products used in medical and research applications. The manufacturing of products that surgeons or doctors may place in people’s bodies, such as medicine and implants, is closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Some biotech manufacturing processes harness cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. Other biotech manufacturers produce medical devices that help people adapt to disabilities and provide doctors with tools for treating illness.
Biotech manufacturing provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, help improve our environment, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.
Biotech manufacturing, or biomanufacturing as it is called, is an essential component of today's biotech industry. A career in biomanufacturing requires technical expertise, creativity and innovative thinking.
Biomanufacturing professionals are the experts in the development and refinement of biotech products, tools, equipment and machinery. They play an important role in biotech research and are responsible for developing and sustaining the technology and innovative equipment that are used to produce things such as life-saving pharmaceutical products, medical devices critical to the healthcare industry, biofuels designed to use less and cleaner energy, and much more.
What’s it like to work at a Biotechnology Manufacturing Company?
Most employees typically work in clean and sterile environments (clean rooms), as there is a strong emphasis on preventing contamination. Sometimes, employees may work in a lab or office environment. Work environment is strictly dependent upon the kind of work employees are performing.
Work areas, for the most part, are temperature controlled, well-lighted and relatively quiet. Ventilation systems are typically used to protect workers from dust and other contaminants. Workers may stand or sit for long periods of time. Also very important in this industry are: strictly following required production procedures and guidelines, monitoring production processes, taking very specific notes, recording results with accuracy, and making necessary adjustments to ensure quality control.
Some lifting is involved, and exposure to hazardous chemicals or materials is dependent upon the specific product being manufactured. Workers must use sound safety precautions when working around machinery and other equipment.
In regard to hours, some biomanufacturing operations work around-the-clock, three shifts per day and seven days per week. Workers typically receive extra pay when assigned to the second or third shift.
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What kinds of jobs are there in the Biotechnology Manufacturing Industry?
Assembler
Minimum Education - HS Diploma or Equivalent
Starting Salary - $10 per hour
Higher levels in the same title - $15 per hour
Machine Operator
Minimum Education - HS Diploma or Equivalent
Starting Salary - $10-18 per hour
Higher levels in the same title - $16-28 per hour
Maintenance Technician
Minimum Education - Associate's Degree in Engineering Technology, specifically Mechanical Engineering
Starting Salary - $27,500 per year
Higher levels in the same title - $52,000 per year
Quality Technician
Minimum Education - Associate's Degree in a technical field
Starting Salary - $12-20 per hour
Higher levels in the same title - $22-28 per hour
Production Supervisor
Minimum Education - Associate's or Bachelor's Degree
Starting Salary - $15-25 per hour
Higher levels in the same title - $25-50 per hour
Manufacturing Associate Engineer
Minimum Education - Bachelor's in Engineering
Starting Salary - $40,000 per year
Higher levels in the same title - $70,000 per year
Manufacturing Engineer
Minimum Education - Bachelor's in Engineering
Starting Salary - $50,000 per year
Higher levels in the same title - $100,000 per year
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How likely is it that a person will be able to find a job in this industry in the Tech Valley Region in the next three to five years?
New York State is ranked first in the nation for biotechnology growth and second in total bioscience employment, and the Tech Valley Region is fast becoming a hub for high technology in our state. The region’s high-tech sector is expected to gain at least 4,000 jobs in the next two years, and additional growth is expected beyond that. Because the biotechnology industry is experiencing such rapid growth, the demand for skilled workers exceeds the number of trained workers available, thus creating a shortage.
Growth can be attributed to a number of factors. The demand for health-producing and life-saving drugs and medical devices will continue to grow as people look to enhance the quality of their lives. The emphasis on “going green,” in conjunction with rising oil prices, will continue to stimulate research, development and production of biofuels and chemicals designed to use less and cleaner energy. In addition, the overall focus of industries on becoming more efficient and effective, with minimal impact on the environment, will add to the growth of this industry.
Tech Valley Companies that are part of the Nanoscale Manufacturing sector include:
AngioDynamics
C.R. Bard
Navilyst Medical
For additional resources and information regarding the Biotechnology Manufacturing industry, click here.
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