Associate Director – Process Engineering / Principal Research Scientist II

Allergan; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in North Chicago, IL is seeking a Principal Research Scientist I/II or Associate Director, Process Engineering to translate solid science into scalable drug product manufacturing. You will lead early-phase development for synthetic molecules, drive bench-to-pilot scale-up, and partner with CMC teams to align with commercial manufacturing sites.

At the Associate Director level, you may provide technical leadership and people management across the Process Engineering function while shaping

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science related field with 16 years of related work; Master’s Degree Science or PharmD with 14 years of related work; PhD in Science or related field with 8 years of related work experience.
• Proven ability to innovate with a history of new or improved product releases.
• Interacts well with diverse groups within function and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.

Responsibilities

• Lead drug product manufacturing process early phase development for synthetic molecule development candidates within the AbbVie pipeline.
• Collaborate with development CMC teams to ensure manufacturing processes are aligned with intended commercial manufacturing sites.
• Advance scientific expertise within the function — mentoring peers and influencing senior leadership with your expert insights; at the Associate Director level, this includes providing technical leadership and, where applicable, direct oversight/management of team members.
• Drive the development of technologies and scientific innovations that expand AbbVie's small molecule formulation capabilities.
• Partner cross-functionally to build strategies that directly power AbbVie's drug discovery and development programs; at the Associate Director level, help shape department- and function-level strategy in partnership with senior leadership.
• Champion compliance with AbbVie's safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Skills

Innovation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science

Master’s degree or PharmD

PhD in Science or related field

Job description

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

Are you a passionate engineer who thrives at the intersection of science, innovation, and impact? AbbVie's Research and Development Process Engineering team is on the front lines of transforming cutting-edge science into life-changing medicines — and we're looking for a Principal Research Scientist I/II or Associate Director, Process Engineering to help us push the boundaries of what's possible in drug product development. This position is being posted at two potential levels — Principal Research Scientist I and Associate Director — and we welcome candidates who feel they are a strong fit for either level to apply. Join us at our North Chicago, IL hub and be part of something bigger.

This isn't just a role — it's an opportunity to shape the future of drug manufacturing. Whether you join as a Principal Research Scientist I or step in at the Associate Director level, you'll bring your proven project leadership in drug product development to drive synthetic molecule candidates from concept to commercial-ready processes, making real decisions that accelerate medicines to patients who need them most. At the Associate Director level, this role also carries broader accountability for setting technical strategy and may include direct people leadership responsibilities across the Process Engineering function.

You'll be a master of drug product manufacturing platforms — direct compression, wet & dry granulation, hot melt extrusion, tableting, encapsulation, and film coating — and you'll apply your deep understanding of powder material properties to unlock new levels of manufacturability and product performance. When challenges arise, you're the person who steps up to troubleshoot complex process and material issues with creativity and rigor. And when it's time to go big, you'll translate bench-scale breakthroughs into pilot plant realities through expert scale-up execution.

At AbbVie, we celebrate bold ideas, encourage experimentation, and give talented engineers and leaders the resources and autonomy to actually innovate. If you're ready to raise the bar, lead with influence, and leave your mark on some of the world's most important medicines — at either an individual-contributor or people/technical leadership level — we want to hear from you.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead drug product manufacturing process early phase development for synthetic molecule development candidates within the AbbVie pipeline.
• Collaborate with development CMC teams to ensure manufacturing processes are aligned with intended commercial manufacturing sites.
• Advance scientific expertise within the function — mentoring peers and influencing senior leadership with your expert insights; at the Associate Director level, this includes providing technical leadership and, where applicable, direct oversight/management of team members.
• Drive the development of technologies and scientific innovations that expand AbbVie's small molecule formulation capabilities.
• Partner cross-functionally to build strategies that directly power AbbVie's drug discovery and development programs; at the Associate Director level, help shape department- and function-level strategy in partnership with senior leadership.
• Champion compliance with AbbVie's safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science related field with 16 years of related work; Master’s Degree Science or PharmD with 14 years of related work; PhD in Science or related field with 8 years of related work experience.
• Proven ability to innovate with a history of new or improved product releases.
• Interacts well with diverse groups within function and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state orlocal law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at the timeof this posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, andwemayultimatelypaymore or less than the posted range. This range may bemodifiedin thefuture.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.
• This job is eligible toparticipatein our long-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission, incentive, benefits and any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay bemodifiedat the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html