Principal Product Development Engineer

Relate Search; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Relate Search partners with a regulated organization to appoint a Principal Product Development Engineer to lead formulation and process development for OTC drug, dietary supplement, and confectionery products. You will shape scalable formulations and development standards supporting feasibility through commercialization in regulated environments.

The role collaborates with Quality, Operations, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Commercial teams while mentoring scientists and engineers

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical science, chemical engineering, food science, chemistry, or a related scientific discipline with 10 years of experience in product development engineering.
• Thorough knowledge of confectionery manufacturing and ingredients with proven formulation and product scale-up experience in regulated or cGMP environments.
• Experience applying statistical analysis, mathematical modeling, machine learning, data mining to development decisions; statistical software such as Minitab or Statgraphics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and process development strategies for confectionery-based OTC and supplement products, translating briefs into dose, sensory, stability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Define and govern technical development standards, including stage-gate deliverables, validation criteria, change-control expectations, CPP/CQA strategy, continued process verification, and commercialization readiness.
• Design and interpret structured experiments (DOE, statistics) to identify drivers and establish robust operating windows for scale-up.
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Operations, Regulatory, Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams to resolve development issues and advance programs from feasibility through launch.
• Mentor scientists and engineers on formulation, confectionery manufacturing, DOE, risk management, and compliant documentation; supervise and develop staff when needed.

Job description

Relate Search has partnered with an organization seeking a Principal Product Development Engineer to serve as a formulation and process development subject matter expert across over-the-counter drug, supplement, and confectionery-based products. This role will shape robust, scalable formulations and development standards that support products from feasibility through commercialization in regulated environments. The position partners closely with Quality, Operations, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Commercial teams to strengthen stage-gate readiness, validation strategy, stability programs, change control, and manufacturing execution. The role also mentors scientists and engineers while helping establish repeatable technical systems and standards that improve development consistency across programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and process development strategies for confectionery-based OTC and supplement products, translating product briefs and consumer needs into dose, sensory, stability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Define and govern technical development standards, including stage-gate deliverables, validation criteria, change-control expectations, CPP/CQA strategy, continued process verification, and commercialization readiness.
• Design and interpret structured experimentation, including Design of Experiments, statistical analysis, and process capability evaluation, to identify critical drivers and establish robust operating windows for scale-up.
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Operations, Regulatory, Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams to resolve development issues, align technical standards, and advance programs from feasibility through launch.
• Mentor scientists and engineers on formulation, confectionery manufacturing, DOE, evidence standards, risk management, and compliant documentation; when assigned people-leader responsibilities, supervise, coach, develop, and manage employee performance in alignment with company policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical science, chemical engineering, food science, chemistry, or a related scientific discipline, with 10 years of experience in product development engineering, science, or a similar function.
• Thorough knowledge of confectionery manufacturing and ingredients, with proven formulation and product scale-up experience in regulated or cGMP environments.
• Experience applying statistical analysis, mathematical modeling, machine learning, data mining, and related techniques to development decisions; statistical software experience such as Minitab or Statgraphics is preferred.
• Working knowledge of cGMP and Good Laboratory Practices, with strong documentation discipline, change-control rigor, stage-gate governance, and the ability to assemble evidence packages that support regulated product development.
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, organizational, and collaboration skills, with the ability to mentor others, manage multiple priorities, and solve complex technical problems; a master’s degree and experience with OTC, dietary supplement, oral drug commercialization, FDA/NSF requirements, and statistical software are preferred.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

Relate Search is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to building inclusive teams where everyone belongs. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.