Senior Principal Engineer

Vantive; Plymouth (MN); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days

Job summary

Vantive, located in Plymouth, is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer with a deep expertise in polymer materials and pharmaceutical packaging. This role leads key initiatives in packaging material development and strategic risk management across our product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will excel in cross-functional collaboration and possess a strong technical background along with leadership experience in global programs. Vantive offers competitive compensation, including a base salary range of $128,000 to $176,000 annually, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical packaging or related fields.
• Hands-on experience with polymer performance evaluation instruments.
• Proven success in managing cross-functional initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead pharmaceutical packaging material development.
• Oversee material characterization studies and evaluations.
• Influence technical strategy and organizational initiatives.

Skills

Leadership in technical programs

Polymeric materials expertise

Risk assessment

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

PhD or master's degree in Materials Science or related field

Tools

DSC

DMA

FT-IR

Job description

Vantive is a vital organ therapy company on a mission to extend lives and expand possibilities for patients and care teams everywhere. For 70 years, our team has driven meaningful innovations in kidney care. As we build on our legacy, we are deepening our commitment to elevating the dialysis experience through digital solutions and advanced services, while looking beyond kidney care and investing in transforming vital organ therapies. Greater flexibility and efficiency in therapy administration for care teams, and longer, fuller lives for patients— that is what Vantive aspires to deliver.

We believe Vantive will not only build our leadership in the kidney care space, it will also offer meaningful work to those who join us. At Vantive, you will become part of a community of people who are focused, courageous and don’t settle for the mediocre. Each of us is driven to help improve patients’ lives worldwide. Join us in advancing our mission to extend lives and expand possibilities.

Your Role:

This position is part of the Drug Products – Americas R&D Team, within the Product Development Lifecycle Management and Sustaining Product Organization.

This role serves as a Senior Principal Engineer and packaging material SME (subject matter expert) within the Solutions & Containers R&D organization, with responsibility for leading pharmaceutical packaging material development, critical issue investigation, and high-impact technical initiatives associated with container closure systems.

The position requires deep technical expertise combined with strategic leadership, cross-functional influence, and end-to-end ownership across the full product lifecycle. The role is accountable for defining technical direction, driving innovation, managing risk, and ensuring alignment with business and regulatory objectives across kidney care modalities and product platforms.

What you’ll be doing:

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Lead multiple container material–related workstreams and initiatives, demonstrating accountability for delivery of scope, timelines, and technical excellence across regions and programs
• Serve as a recognized SME, providing authoritative guidance and influencing technical decisions at program and organizational levels
• Establish and govern risk-based decision-making frameworks, ensuring proactive identification, prioritization, and mitigation of technical risks
• Influence organizational technical direction and business strategy, aligning R&D initiatives with long-term product, therapy, and innovation priorities
• Translate complex and ambiguous technical challenges into actionable strategies and execution plans

Container Material Evaluation & System Integration

• Lead evaluation, selection, development and qualification of polymer materials and container systems based on structure–property relationships and application requirements
• Lead failure investigations and root-cause analysis for material-related issues, ensuring robust resolution and prevention
• Oversee design and interpretation of complex material characterization studies (mechanical, thermal, chemical, functional performance, etc)
• Drive material selection decisions impacting product performance, cost, safety, and regulatory compliance
• Integrate material science insights into system‑level design and product realization across therapies
• Support container material–related sustaining and lifecycle management activities, ensuring continuity and compliance

Technical Excellence & Innovation

• Drive application of analytical tools, data‑driven decision making, and scientific rigor in problem solving and design decisions
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation, and adoption of new technologies or methodologies across programs
• Apply critical thinking to identify optimal solutions under competing constraints and ambiguity
• Strengthen technical standards and practices to enhance product quality, robustness, and performance outcomes

Collaboration, Influence & Talent Development

• Collaborate effectively across global, cross‑functional, and multicultural teams, adapting leadership and communication styles to drive alignment and results
• Mentor, coach, and develop engineers, strengthening technical depth, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving capabilities within the team
• Communicate clearly and effectively, influencing technical and business stakeholders at all organizational levels
• Contribute to building organizational capability and a high‑performance technical culture

What you’ll bring:

• PhD (preferred) or master’s degree (required) in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field
• Minimum 8+ years of industrial experience in polymer materials, container closure systems, pharmaceutical packaging or related fields
• Demonstrated leadership of global, cross‑functional technical programs and multiple workstreams
• Deep expertise in polymeric materials, structure–property relationships, and container systems for medical/pharmaceutical applications, hands‑on experience with polymer performance evaluation instruments (DSC, DMA, FT‑IR etc)
• Strong experience in product lifecycle management, spanning development, commercialization, and sustaining phases
• Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes and process optimization, particularly for parenteral or combination products
• Proven success in technical risk assessment, mitigation, and execution
• Working knowledge of global regulatory requirements and quality systems (FDA, ICH, ISO, cGxP)
• Strong analytical capabilities, including statistical methods and Six Sigma tools
• Demonstrated ability to translate customer and clinical needs into product and technical solutions
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with ability to engage technical and business stakeholders at all levels
• Occasional business travel (domestic and international) is needed for this role

Vantive is committed to supporting the need for flexibility in the workplace. We do so through our flexible workplace policy which includes a minimum of 3 days a week onsite. This policy provides the benefits of connecting and collaborating in‑person in support of our Mission.

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Vantive, we are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $128,000 to $176,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.

US Benefits at Vantive

Vantive offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well‑being benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short‑term and long‑term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Aon Pooled Employer Plan (Aon PEP), Vantive’s 401(k) retirement savings plan, to help you prepare for your future. The Aon PEP is designed to help improve retirement outcomes by providing retirement resources more efficiently. The plan offers a robust set of investment options, financial education, and a suite of resources to support your retirement goals.

We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time‑off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vantive is an equal opportunity employer. Vantive evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodation

Vantive is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

Recruitment Fraud Notice

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