Principal Scientist, Analytical Operations

Biopharma Careers; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 196,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Gilead Sciences seeks a Principal Scientist, Analytical Operations to lead QC strategy for small molecule clinical development. You will oversee method validation, release testing, and data integrity, partnering with regulators and cross-functional teams to enable delivery of clinical materials.

The role requires deep analytical chemistry expertise, cGMP operations leadership, and experience guiding external testing laboratories and regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in a relevant field with extensive experience in analytical testing and QC.
• 10+ years with BS OR, 8+ years with MS OR, 5+ years with PhD or PharmD.
• Deep understanding of regulatory expectations for clinical development.
• Experience leading testing activities at external laboratories.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead QC strategy for small molecule clinical programs.
• Oversee method validation, transfer, reference materials, and release testing.
• Ensure phase-appropriate QC specs and data integrity for regulatory submissions.
• Coordinate with internal teams and contract labs to meet timelines.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

cGMP operations

Quality leadership

Regulatory submissions

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation & data integrity

Contract testing oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree in a related field

PhD or PharmD in a related field

Tools

Regulatory knowledge (CMC)

Job description

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description

At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.

We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come.As a Principal Scientist, Analytical Operations at Gilead you will act as the Quality Control (QC) Lead and will be responsible for the strategic oversight and operational execution of cGMP analytical testing in support of small molecule clinical development programs.

The role provides leadership for assigned programs across a range of QC activities, ensuring that testing, documentation, and data integrity standards meet regulatory requirements and project deliverables. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in analytical chemistry and cGMP operations, a strong understanding of phase-appropriate quality control strategies and requirements, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to enable successful delivery of clinical supply and development milestones.

FOCUS AREAS

Quality Control Leadership & Strategy

• Define, implement, and continuously improve the QC strategy for small molecule clinical development programs in alignment with overall CMC and quality objectives.
• Serve as the point of contact for overall QC activities including method validation and transfer, reference materials, specifications, cGMP release testing, stability strategy and testing, and supervision of testing at external contract testing laboratories.
• Develop and maintain phase-appropriate QC strategies and processes to support manufacturing and regulatory submissions
• Responsible for the management and approval of specifications, collaborating cross-functionally to establish scientifically sound and phase-appropriate specifications aligned with analytical capability, process understanding, and clinical and regulatory expectations
• Represent QC on cross-functional product development teams, providing technical input and direction for analytical and quality decisions.
• Identify and drive opportunities for improvement in QC testing, workflows, data management, and compliance processes.
• Proactively identify and escalation potential QC risks, and communicate QC activities, risks, and issues to relevant stakeholders

Analytical Testing & Documentation

• Oversee and ensure compliant execution of QC testing for raw materials, intermediates, drug substance, and drug product
• Ensure timely creation, review, and approval of QC documentation including test methods, protocols, reports, CoAs, and quality records
• Provide QC oversight to contract testing laboratories, coordinating testing activities for on-time delivery and confirming compliance with cGMP and data integrity expectations
• Direct and oversee timely resolution of QC testing related investigations with comprehensive root-cause analysis, risk assessment, and effective CAPAs

Compliance & Regulatory Affairs

• Ensure QC operations comply with cGMP, FDA, EMA, ICH, and other applicable regulations.
• Drive excellence in data integrity, documentation practices, and traceability across QC activities
• Serve as a QC subject matter expert to draft and review CMC sections and supporting documents for regulatory filings and response to questions (RTQs).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Analytical Development, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless coordination of analytical strategy and QC testing support throughout the product lifecycle
• Support technology transfer and method implementation at internal and external laboratories
• Provide QC input into product development and regulatory submission documentation

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years’ experience with a BS OR
• 8+ Years’ experience with a MS OR
• 5+ years' experience with a PHD or PharmD in a related field
• Significant knowledge and hands‑on and leadership experience in small molecule pharmaceutical analytical testing and quality control
• Prior experience establishing analytical specifications and authoring CMC sections of regulatory submissions.
• Deep understanding of regulatory and phase-appropriate QC expectations for clinical development.
• Demonstrated experience managing testing activities at external testing laboratories.
• Excellent scientific judgement, communication, cross-functional collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, plan, and execute multiple tasks with flexibility for changing priorities and plans.
• Must think critically and creatively and be able to work independently to determine appropriate strategy and resources for resolution of problems
• Knowledge of medical devices and combination products is a plus.

People Leader Accountabilities:

• Create Inclusion -knowingthe business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.
• Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employeesare receivingthe feedback and insight needed to grow,developand realize their purpose.
• Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizationalobjectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.

The salary range for this position is: $195,670.00 - $253,220.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit: https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex , age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability,genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section503 of the Rehabilitation Act of1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of1974, and TitleI of the Americans with Disabilities Act of1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

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YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with thelegal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors: