Senior Manager, Analytical Method Validation

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals; Verona (WI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking an Analytical Method Validation Sr. Manager in Wisconsin to lead a QC team in planning, executing, and overseeing analytical method validation and technical transfer for oligonucleotide testing across drug substances and products.

The role requires a strong GMP/ICH/USP background, hands-on leadership, and collaboration with QA, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, and external partners to ensure robust, reproducible methods and timely project delivery.

Qualifications

• M.S. in Chemistry (or related field) with 6+ years of lab experience or B.S. with 8+ years of lab experience.
• Direct experience with analytical techniques (LC-MS, AEX, IP-RP UHPLC, GC, NMR, FTIR, ICP-MS, Raman).
• Familiar with cGMP policies and validations; experience with complex oligonucleotides is required.

Responsibilities

• Plan, author, and execute analytical method validation protocols and reports.
• Lead technical transfer of analytical methods between sites and partners.
• Oversee validation/transfer activities for oligonucleotide purity/impurity testing and Identity.
• Present validation strategies and data to QA, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and external partners.
• Coordinate analytical requirements and provide accurate analytical results.
• Support optimization and troubleshooting of analytical methods.

Education

M.S. in Chemistry (or related field)

B.S. in Chemistry (or related field)

Tools

Empower

OpenLab

LIMS

Job description

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.

Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.

Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.

The Position

The Analytical Method Validation Sr. Manager is responsible for leading a team of scientists within the Quality Control (QC) department to plan, execute, and oversee analytical method validation and technical transfer activities in support of complex oligonucleotide- in process manufacturing samples, finished drug substances and drug product, and/or stability sample testing activities for new drug substances and drug products.

This role provides technical leadership and hands‑on scientific guidance to ensure that analytical methods are validated in compliance with applicable regulatory guidelines (ICH, USP, and other compendial requirements), are fit for purpose, and are reproducible during routine testing. The successful candidate will serve as a technical subject matter expert (SME) and represent QC in cross‑functional and external partner discussions.

Responsibilities

• Plan, author, and execute analytical method validation protocols and reports in accordance with internal SOPs, ICH Q2(R2) and related guidelines.
• Lead technical transfer of analytical methods between sites, laboratories, and contract partners, ensuring methods remain robust, reproducible, and fit for purpose in the receiving lab.
• Oversee validation and transfer activities for a broad range of analytical techniques supporting oligonucleotide purity and impurity testing. including Identity.
• Present and discuss method validation strategies, data, and technical rationale with internal stakeholders (Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Analytical Development) and external partners (CDMOs, CROs, and other collaborators)
• Work independently with Analytical Development and manufacturing team to lead project timelines and deliverables.
• Serve as Analytical Project Coordinator or coordinate for on-going or new Analytical Validation and technical transfer projects, take ownership of analytical requirements needed, and provide accurate analytical results
• Support analytical methods of optimization and improvement of existing ones, to support all stages of API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) and drug product.
• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting support for method performance issues, out-of-specification (OOS) and out-of-trend (OOT) investigations, and root cause analysis.
• Serve as a technical resource for complex oligonucleotide characterization and impurity profiling questions.
• Evaluate new analytical technologies and methodologies to improve method robustness, efficiency, and data quality.
• Ensure timely and compliant documentation within the Quality Management System (QMS), including deviations, change controls, and CAPAs related to method validation
• Ability to track/trend data and interpret degrative changes to the product on
• Demonstrate proficiency with various related analytical techniques, such as LCMS, HPLC/UPHPLC, GC, FTIR, UV/Vis, KF.
• Design and execute non-routine experiments.
• Analyze data/results and interpret outcome of experiments and propose appropriate follow‑up
• Write project documentation (i.e. Analytical test methods, developmental reports and protocols)
• Performs technical data review on data acquired by other QC analysts as applicable
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• M.S. in Chemistry (or related field) with at least 6+ years of relevant laboratory experience, or B.S in Chemistry (or related field) with at least 8 years of laboratory experience.
• Direct experience and working knowledge of various related analytical techniques, such as including Identity by LC‑MS, Anion Exchange Chromatography (AEX), Ion‑Pair Reversed‑Phase UHPLC (IP‑RP UHPLC)., Gas Chromatography (GC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier‑Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‑MS), Raman Spectroscopy.
• Familiar with analytical instrumentation, test methodology/validations, data acquisition systems, and cGMP policies and practices
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with analytical methods for complex oligonucleotides, including purity and impurity characterization.
• Proven track record of leading or executing method validation and technical transfer activities in a GMP‑regulated environment.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and health authority interactions related to analytical methods is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team‑building skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency with chromatography data systems (e.g., Empower, OpenLab) and LIMS is a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of ICH guidelines on analytical method validation (ICH Q2(R2), Q14) and USP General Chapters.
• Can be flexible with changing priorities

Wisconsin pay range

$140,000—$160,000 USD

Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.

Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.