Principal Engineer, Packaging – Tech Services

Jobtailor; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Pharmaceutical Technology Transfer Specialist to drive packaging development, site transfers, and startup of commercial production. You will lead risk‑mitigation, influence cross‑functional teams, and mentor Technical Services while ensuring project timelines and regulatory readiness.

The role requires advanced degrees (B.S./M.S./Ph.D.) in chemistry, engineering, pharmacy, or related fields and extensive pharmaceutical experience in transfer, packaging and

Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical technology transfer, quality assurance, product development, or packaging.
• Advanced degrees required or equivalent experience in related field.
• Knowledge of cGMP, DEA and FDA guidance for packaging and transfer.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging development, site transfers and startup of commercial production.
• Coordinate risk-mitigation and cross‑functional lead with R&D and external colleagues.
• Serve as SME and mentor for Technical Services and site teams.
• Ensure project timelines are met and NDAs/ANDAs are managed.
• Create master data and container/closure specifications for projects.
• Support regulatory audits and prepare regulatory submission documents.

Skills

Collaboration & Teamwork

Communication & Influence

Customer Focus

Planning & Organization

Initiative & Drive

Statistical Analysis (DES/DOE)

Education

B.S. in Chemistry/Engineering/Pharmacy

M.S. in Chemistry/Engineering/Pharmacy

Ph.D. in Chemistry/Engineering/Pharmacy

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

Responsibilities

• Responsible for transferring products from R&D or partners to Operations, including leading packaging development, registration, site transfers, start-up of commercial production, and transfer to lifecycle support.
• Minimize and remove obstacles during development, product transfer, validation, and commercialization through utilization of risk‑mitigation strategies, best practice sharing, and influence with R&D, Operations, and external colleagues.
• Support department management as group representative in technical and business meetings.
• Act as a technical subject matter expert and mentor for the Technical Services group and the site.
• Demonstrate influence, leadership, and influential teamwork skills with development partners/customers during the packaging development and registration of site transfers and new product NDAs and ANDAs, ensuring that all project timelines are met.
• Provide packaging engineering expertise, i.e. critical review, assessment, influence and strategy, for responsible projects assigned within Organic Launch, Business Development, Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO), Alternate API, and targeted dormant products.
• Create all associated master data for assigned projects.
• Create all specifications required for the container/closure systems for assigned projects.
• Attend all required team meetings to support assigned projects and ensure to achieve key milestone datas.
• Perform all necessary line trials, including all necessary documentation such as protocols/reports/PO’s, to support proper evaluation of form, fit, function of proposed container closure systems.
• Support all regulatory audits as required. Generate all required regulatory submission documents for assigned projects and provide support in generating responses to regulatory authorities.
• Drive continuous improvement activities for launched products through initial commercial production phase, until transfer of launched products to lifecycle support with Operations.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline plus a minimum of 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical technology transfer, quality assurance, product development, packaging, or applicable pharmaceutical experience, or seven years of experience in product development, technology transfer, and/or packaging engineering in another technical field.
• M.S. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline plus a minimum of 13 years of experience in pharmaceutical technology transfer, quality assurance, product development, packaging, or applicable pharmaceutical experience, or five years of experience in product development, technology transfer, and/or packaging engineering in another technical field.
• Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline plus a minimum of 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical technology transfer, quality assurance, product development, packaging, or applicable pharmaceutical experience, or two years of experience in product development, technology transfer, and/or packaging engineering in another technical field.
• Demonstrated ability to perform at expectations for the following Hikma competencies: Collaboration & Teamwork, Communication & Influence, Customer Focus, Planning & Organization, Taking Initiative & Drive For Results.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of applicable laws and regulations regarding development and packaging of pharmaceuticals, including cGMP, DEA, and FDA guidances.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of pharmaceutical packaging environment and equipment with emphasis on scale-up/ optimization and validation for various dosage forms.
• Proficiency in the use of statistical software for experimental design and analysis is preferred but not required.