Senior Process Engineer / SME – Chromatography Systems

United Consulting Hub; Illinois; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

United Consulting Hub in Illinois seeks a Chromatography SME to provide technical leadership for chromatography systems supporting large-scale purification operations. The role demands extensive hands-on experience with SMB chromatography, column packing/unpacking, buffer prep, and purification equipment troubleshooting.

You will be the primary technical expert across startup, commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness, and will oversee vendor interactions and verify performance of

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of chromatography or downstream processing experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience with chromatography systems.
• Experience with column packing and buffer preparation.
• Vendor management experience.
• Strong understanding of purification equipment and mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical SME for chromatography systems and purification equipment.
• Support startup, commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness.
• Provide vendor oversight and challenge technical solutions when required.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues.
• Support equipment acceptance and performance verification activities.

Skills

SMB Chromatography

Column Packing

Column Operation

Purification Troubleshooting

Education

BS in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

Cytiva chromatography systems

Pall chromatography platforms

Novasep chromatography platforms

Job description

The Chromatography SME will provide technical leadership for chromatography systems supporting large-scale purification operations. This role requires extensive hands-on experience with chromatography equipment, resin handling, column packing, buffer preparation, and continuous purification technologies, including Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) chromatography.

This individual will serve as the primary technical expert for chromatography equipment and purification operations throughout startup, operational readiness, troubleshooting, and project execution activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as technical SME for chromatography systems and purification equipment
• Support startup, commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness
• Provide vendor oversight and challenge technical solutions when required
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues
• Support equipment acceptance and performance verification activities

Technical Areas of Expertise

• Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) Chromatography
• Column Packing and Unpacking
• Column Operation
• Purification System Troubleshooting

Required Qualifications

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field.
• 8+ years of chromatography or downstream processing experience
• Extensive experience with chromatography systems
• Column packing
• Buffer preparation
• Strong understanding of purification equipment and mechanical systems
• Experience managing equipment vendors and suppliers

Preferred Qualifications

• SMB chromatography experience
• Experience with mAb, plasma, biologics, nutraceutical, or protein processing
• Experience with Cytiva, Pall, Novasep, or equivalent chromatography platforms