Process Development Senior Scientist

Amgen; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen in Thousand Oaks, CA is seeking a Process Development Senior Scientist to lead analytical and biochemical characterization for pre-clinical biotherapeutic protein development, including mass spectrometry and LC-MS workflows. You will develop methods to assess biochemical attributes of candidate drug products and support regulatory submissions.

The role requires extensive MS expertise, sample prep, and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree PhD OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post-doc where applicable]
• Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, physical sciences, chemical engineering, or biological sciences.
• Experience with mass spectrometry of proteins, peptides and glycans.
• Experience with Thermo mass spectrometers, Agilent and Thermo HPLC systems and data acquisition software.

Responsibilities

• Characterize candidate molecules to support protein primary structure and modifications.
• Develop analytical methods for MS-based characterization of therapeutic proteins.
• Generate technical documents and presentations; support regulatory submissions and patents.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Protein characterization

Analytical method development

Biotherapeutics

Education

PhD in analytical chemistry or related

Master's degree in scientific field

Bachelor's degree in scientific field

Tools

Chromeleon

BioPharma Finder

Skyline

Byonic

Byos

Expressionist

Excel

Origin

Thermo MS instruments

Job description

JOB ID: R-248874

LOCATION: US - California - Thousand Oaks

WORK LOCATION TYPE: On Site

DATE POSTED: Jul. 08, 2026

CATEGORY: Process Development

SALARY RANGE: 126,066.05USD -170,559.95 USD

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients
At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.

Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.

Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Process Development Senior Scientist
What you will do
Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will be responsible for analytical and biochemical characterization activities for pre-clinical biotherapeutic protein development including assay development for biochemical characterization with emphasis on mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography, planning and execution in support of pre-clinical candidate selection, process development and lead molecule characterization. The ideal candidate will support product advancement by developing analytical methods that assess biochemical characteristics of the candidate drug product with peptide mapping and intact protein LC-MS analysis. Sample preparation including reduction/alkylation, enzymatic digestion of therapeutic proteins, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and peptide mapping workflows is needed.

• Specific activities include characterizing candidate molecules to support protein primary structure as well as characterizing drug candidate chemical and post-translational modifications (quality attributes).
• Automation platforms and liquid handling systems are used. Generation of technical documents and technical presentations is required.
• This position is also responsible for providing scientific results that support the generation of regulatory submissions, patents, and publications and exploring and evaluating emerging technologies relevant to MS-based characterization of therapeutic proteins.

What you can expect of us
As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
• Stock-based long-term incentives
• Award-winning time-off plans
• Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

Application deadline
Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Sponsorship
Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

What we expect of you
We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The dynamic professional we seek is an individual with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications:

Doctorate degree PhD OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post-doc where applicable]
OR
Master’s degree and 3 years of scientific experience
OR
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, physical sciences, chemical engineering, or biological sciences.
• Expertise with mass spectrometry of proteins, peptides and glycans.
• Expertise with Thermo mass spectrometers, Agilent and Thermo HPLC. systems, and corresponding data acquisition software such as Chromeleon.
• Expertise with mass spectrometry data processing software packages (BioPharma Finder, Skyline, Byonic, Byos, Expressionist).
• Expertise with statistical software, including Excel or Origin, is recommended.
• Experience within the biotech industry, experience to include data analyses, statistical analysis, setting acceptance criteria in support of process development, process/method transfers, and comparability studies.
• Good problem-solving skills requiring the application of scientific theory
• Strong laboratory work skills to include the design and performance of scientific experiments and interpretation of results.
  Excellent written and oral communication skills for the timely documentation, presentation, and discussion of scientific results in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment.