Principal Systems Engineer, R&D Device & Combination Product Development

BioSpace; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead technical activities in R&D Device and Combination Product Development, focusing on Systems Engineering, Compliance, Design Controls, and Risk Management.

You will contribute to innovative drug-device products across prefilled syringes, electromechanical delivery systems, and connected devices, partnering with global teams to ensure patient-centric design and regulatory readiness.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering, Science, or related discipline with 14+ years of experience.
• MS in Engineering, Science, or related discipline with 12+ years of experience.
• PhD in Engineering, Science, or related discipline with 6+ years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Apply Design Controls with emphasis on Design Inputs and Risk Management.
• Manage regulatory compliance governance and system integration activities.
• Develop and maintain system requirements and design traceability.
• Lead risk management activities and use error risk assessments.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams across North America and Europe.
• Support regulatory interactions and audits as needed.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Systems engineering principles

Risk management

Design Controls

Cross-functional leadership

Education

BS in Engineering/Science

MS in Engineering/Science

PhD in Engineering/Science

Job description

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

AbbVie is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to serve as a technical leader within R&D Device and Combination Product Development (DCPD), providing expertise in Systems Engineering, Compliance, Design Controls, and Risk Management. This individual will contribute to the development of innovative therapeutic drug-device combination products and aesthetic devices with technologies ranging from prefilled syringes and autoinjectors to connected and electromechanical drug delivery systems to eyecare products to breast implants.

This role will work in a global, cross functional team with the responsibility for the integration of inputs and risks from multiple disciplines to ensure robust patient-centric product design and performance. Technical expertise and leadership will be required to ensure that development activities align with both business objectives and global regulatory requirements while enabling efficient market access across worldwide regions.

Responsibilities

This role will include implementation of product development engineering principles within the Design Controls process, with particular focus on Design Inputs, Risk Management, compliance governance, and systems integration. This role requires establishing strong working relationships across North America and Europe and may involve periodic travel.

This role will be responsible for driving the following activities and deliverables:

• User and Stakeholder Needs Definition
• System Requirements Definition
• Risk Management Planning and reporting in accordance with ISO 14971
• System Risk Assessment
• Use Error Risk Assessments
• Design Control Traceability

Additionally, This Role Will

Translate evolving global regulations, standards, and guidance documents into practical Design Control and Risk Management processes that support efficient product development and enable global market access.

Develop and maintain compliance strategies that support product registration and commercialization in global markets.

Evaluate regulatory trends and emerging industry expectations to proactively strengthen Design Control and Risk Management practices.

Lead integration of Third-Party Development and Drug Product Development activities

Serve as a subject matter expert during interactions with certification agencies and regulatory authorities.

Facilitate decision-making across diverse technical and business stakeholders while balancing compliance, innovation, timelines, and business objectives.

At this level, significant contribution to raising the bar on how AbbVie develops combination products is expected. This includes:

• Identifying opportunities to generate innovative improvements in Design Control and Risk Management processes.
• Leading strategic initiatives focused on improving development efficiency, compliance effectiveness, and product quality.
• Driving organizational capability development through training, knowledge-sharing, coaching and mentoring.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and technical excellence.
• Promote harmonized global approaches to compliance and systems engineering practices.

Qualifications

BS in Engineering, Science, or related discipline with 14+ years of experience; OR MS in Engineering, Science, or related discipline with 12+ years of experience; OR PhD in Engineering, Science, or related discipline with 6+ years of experience.

Demonstrated ability to resolve complex technical and compliance challenges through expert application of engineering principles and regulatory knowledge.

Expertise in medical device and/or combination product development including strong knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 14971, ISO 13485, and EU MDR.

Expertise in Systems Engineering principles, including:

• User and Stakeholder Needs definition
• Requirements development
• Traceability
• Change management
• Risk management
• Expertise in DHF development, maintenance, and governance.

Experience supporting internal audits, external audits, certification body assessments, and regulatory inspections.

Experience translating complex regulatory requirements and industry standards into operational development processes.

Strong analytical, decision-making, and communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority across cross-functional organizations.

Experience leading technical initiatives involving external partners and suppliers.

Strong written communication skills, including development of technical documentation and compliance deliverables.

Ability to effectively operate within global and multicultural environments.

Active participation in AAMI, IEC Technical Committees, ISO Working Groups, AdvaMed, or similar industry organizations.

Experience supporting global product registrations and regulatory submissions.

Experience developing compliance governance frameworks, metrics, and performance indicators.

Experience leading enterprise-wide Compliance, Design Control, or Risk Management improvement initiatives.

Demonstrated success developing training programs and communities of practice.

Familiarity with electromechanical, connected, and software-enabled medical devices.

Knowledge of IEC 62366, IEC 62304, IEC 60601.Travel

Travel required, as necessary (approximately 10%).

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

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 this posting 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 and until 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