Principal Research Scientist I - Process Engineering

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in North Chicago, IL is seeking a Principal Research Engineer I/II to lead drug product manufacturing process development. You will drive synthetic molecule candidates from concept to pilot plant, applying know-how across direct compression, granulation, extrusion, tabletting, and coating.

You will mentor peers and influence leadership while delivering scalable manufacturing solutions. The role emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration, regulatory readiness, and technology advancement to

Qualifications

• BS (+14 yr experience) MS (+12 yr. experience) or PhD (+6 yr experience) in Chemical Engineering.
• Strong project leadership experience for drug product development.
• Advanced understanding drug product manufacturing platforms including direct compression, wet & dry granulation, and hot melt extrusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead drug product manufacturing process early phase development for synthetic molecule development candidates within the AbbVie pipeline.
• Collaborate with development CMC teams to align manufacturing with commercial sites.
• Advance scientific expertise within the function and mentor peers.
• Drive development of technologies and innovations expanding AbbVie's formulation capabilities.
• Partner cross-functionally to support drug discovery and development programs.
• Champion compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Skills

Project leadership

Drug product manufacturing

Scale-up to pilot plant

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Written communication

Education

BS in Chemical Engineering

MS in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Regulatory submissions

Job 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.

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 Engineer I/II to help us push the boundaries of what's possible in drug product development. 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. 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. 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 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 — 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.
• 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.
• Champion compliance with AbbVie's safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• BS (+14 yr experience) MS (+12 yr. experience) or PhD (+6 yr experience) in Chemical Engineering, or equivalent scientific/engineering degrees
• Strong project leadership experience for drug product development.
• Advanced understanding drug product manufacturing platforms with direct compression, wet & dry granulation, and hot melt extrusion which include tableting, encapsulation and film coating.
• Advanced understanding of powder material properties and their impact on drug product manufacturability and final product performance.
• Ability to apply/interpret models during drug product development to optimize development.
• Experience writing regulatory submissions and generating the data required to gain approval
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot process/material issues.
• Apply techniques to scale‑up the development process to pilot plant equipment.
• Displays technical awareness in various aspects of drug development, adherence to rigorous scientific methods, and commitment to the scientific process.
• Strong drive for learning new techniques and technologies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross‑functional team setting.

Preferred

• Drug Substance Crystallization development knowledge

Additional Information

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of thisposting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location,and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission,incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless anduntil paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable 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