Principal Peptide Process Engineer, Research Scientist II

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) plan

Long-term incentive programs

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking an experienced Chemical Engineer in North Chicago to work on API projects in all phases of development and commercialization. The role includes leading project activities, mentoring scientific personnel, and ensuring process efficiency. Candidates should have a degree in Chemical Engineering and significant related experience. Benefits include comprehensive healthcare and 401(k).

Qualifications

• 16 years of related work experience with Bachelor's; 14 years with Master's; 8 years with PhD.
• History of new or improved product releases.
• Interacts well with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead project activities in API development.
• Ensure safe and efficient processes during commercialization.
• Manage cross-functional interactions for project success.

Skills

Project management

Process optimization

Peptide development

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Job description

Job Description

Chemical Engineers in Product Development Science & Technology support API projects through all phases of late stage development, commercialization, and product life cycle. This position ensures processes can be run safely, addresses scale‑up issues, and develops and implements robust API process steps from the lab to a manufacturing environment. Once commercialized, the process engineer is responsible for continuous improvement activities, technical transfer to manufacturing sites, and resolution of technical manufacturing issues in a commercial setting. Effective cross‑functional interactions with quality, regulatory functions and on‑site manufacturing personnel are key to successful performance.

Purpose

Lead research and/or project activities with a group of scientists within the individual’s area of expertise by effectively mentoring, guiding, and supervising scientific personnel. Independently conceive, execute, and communicate novel multidisciplinary research or development strategies that achieve project and area goals. Serve as a lead scientist on one’s own project and contribute scientific insights into multiple other projects. Oversee the design, implementation, and optimization of peptide synthesis manufacturing processes from development to commercialization.

Major Responsibilities

• Develop and achieve discipline strategy in alignment with functional goals and key scientific objectives.
• Conceptualize and implement approaches using combinations of engineering principles.
• Utilize knowledge of engineering, literature, and experience to guide decisions for complex situations.
• Collaborate with experts within the function to integrate scientific objectives into activities associated with the development of new or improved products or technology.
• Advance scientific expertise within the function. Proactively advise and share knowledge and expert opinions with subordinates, peers, and senior management. Mentor and train functional colleagues and assess current and emerging business challenges to enable functional goal achievement.
• Ensure quality and effectiveness of key results of major project plans within the function through sound design, early risk assessments, and implementation of fallback strategies.
• Source and identify emerging scientific trends from multiple internal and external sources, assess relevance, integrate trends into short‑term objectives, and advance technology and direction within the discipline.

Level of Leadership Activities

• Lead resolution of compliance quality issues and drafting of documents.
• Present results of projects both internally and externally.
• Review and critique presentations for others.
• Establish project operation criteria and technical standards for excellence. Generate new product ideas.
• Prepare and align impact goals with department and divisional goals.
• Actively participate in cross‑functional technology transfer teams, including members from development and manufacturing.

Level of Interpersonal Skill

• Act as a technical role model and resource/consultant to others.
• Interact and lead cross‑functional teams and share information, demonstrating technical leadership in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrate strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or related field with 16 years of related work; Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or related field with 14 years of related work.
• PhD in Chemical Engineering 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 the function and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.
• Possess thorough theoretical and practical understanding of the own scientific discipline.

Desired Skills

• Conceive, design, and conduct research and development for major processes to be commercialized.
• Lead the development of processes and programs to optimize or achieve plant efficiency, product quality, cost control, customer specification, or product design changes.
• Lead technical investigative troubleshooting of product failures and recommend remediation direction.
• Primary author of publications, presentations, regulatory documents, and/or primary inventor of patents.
• Experience and/or education with API and/or natural product processes in pharmaceuticals.
• Peptide development and/or manufacturing experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a science‑related field with 16 years of related work; Master’s Degree in 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 the function and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.

Benefits

• Comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• Eligibility to participate in long‑term incentive programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.