Senior Scientist

2162-Janssen Ortho LLC Legal Entity; Gurabo (PR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, seeks a Senior Scientist to apply scientific principles across manufacturing, packaging, and cleaning validation. The role leads diverse projects, conducts studies, and drives process improvements in a regulated setting.

The candidate will analyze data, report results, and collaborate cross-functionally with teams to ensure quality and compliance. Strong written skills and ability to work independently are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field is required or preferred.
• 6+ years of relevant professional experience; Master’s/PhD candidates may qualify with 4–6 years in Tech Services/Validation or related roles.
• Strong communication, cross-functional collaboration, and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assess technical projects and develop strategy, plan, and execution.
• Lead medium/high complexity projects and coordinate with site groups.
• Initiate change controls and validate technical/validation activities.
• Develop/Review validation protocols per standards and procedures.
• Support regulatory audits and cross-team problem solving.

Skills

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Statistical tools

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Controlled documentation systems

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com. As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Pharmaceutical Product R&D

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Gurabo, Puerto Rico, United States of America

Job Description:

About Innovative Medicine Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow. Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way. Learn more at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

We are searching for the best talent for a Senior Scientist to join our team in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. The Senior Scientist is an experienced professional who applies scientific principles and industry knowledge to solve complex technical challenges. This role leads a diverse portfolio of assignments requiring strong judgment, problem‑solving skills, and independent decision‑making. The Senior Scientist leads and delivers medium‑ to high‑complexity projects and critical initiatives related to manufacturing, packaging, and cleaning validation. Responsibilities include conducting technical studies, leading investigations, and driving process improvement efforts. The incumbent maintains and applies expertise across key areas such as manufacturing operations, packaging processes, technology transfer, cleaning methodologies, and project management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the assessment of technical projects to develop strategy, plan and their execution.
• Coordinates project activities with site functional groups and other affiliates as required.
• May lead projects of medium/high complexity.
• Initiates change controls and completes technical/validation assessments to changes owned by other functional groups.
• Develops and/or reviews validation protocols in compliance with applicable standards and procedures.
• Coordinate project activities and resources for the execution as per project plan.
• Lead and actively participate in technology transfer activities to ensure successful and process implementation.
• Analyzes physical and analytical testing results from the study to summarize results and conclusions in technical reports.
• Evaluates problems/deviations resulting from validation exercises and recommends resolution.
• Works with other teams to address technical issues and resolve them using sound scientific reasoning and technical expertise (consults other technical experts as needed).
• Determines along with team, corrective and preventive actions using the appropriate root cause analysis tools.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the corrective actions.
• Identifying and reporting results that deviate from normal or expected results for routine and non-routine procedures and supports the resolution of the issue.
• Identifies areas of process improvements and works with technical groups in the implementation.
• May lead process improvements initiatives depending on complexity.
• Participates in regulatory audits and supports product/process requests from regulatory agencies.
• Follows the Leadership Imperatives competencies based on their leadership level within the organization (Individual Leader).

Qualifications Education:

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree required, focused degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related scientific field is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• Required: Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience required; candidates with a Master’s degree or PhD may qualify with 4–6 years of demonstrated experience in Technical Services, Validation, or related technical support roles within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or similarly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, collaborate cross‑functionally, and build strong working relationships.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; experience with project management software is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of statistical tools and data analysis techniques.
• Solid technical and scientific foundation gained through a combination of education, training, certifications, and hands‑on experience, with strong functional knowledge in applicable technical areas.
• Proficient in the use of controlled documentation systems, event management tools, and trending and tracking platforms.
• Working knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), applicable regulations, and validation and technical support methodologies.
• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to clearly document processes, investigations, protocols, and reports.
• Experience with sampling, monitoring, and testing techniques in regulated manufacturing or laboratory environments.
• Demonstrated root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and diagnostic skills with the ability to apply scientific investigation methodologies.
• Strong project management skills, including working knowledge of FPx principles, tools, and methodologies.
• Willingness and ability to be cross‑trained across multiple functional areas.
• Demonstrates leadership behaviors aligned with organizational Leadership Imperatives at the Individual Contributor level.

Preferred:

Familiarity with manufacturing process sciences, technology transfer, Quality by Design (QbD), advanced analytical technologies, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), and continuous manufacturing is preferred. Other: Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, with strong written and verbal communication skills. There is no direct supervisory responsibilities however demonstrates accountability for deliverables, proactively manages own workload, exercises sound judgment, and takes initiative to lead activities and resolve routine issues. May provide technical guidance or mentorship to junior scientists within project teams. Relevant education and training in one or more of the following areas: solid dosage form manufacturing and packaging; cleaning, process, and packaging validation; technology transfer; and regulatory compliance. Ability to work a regular shift, with flexibility to support extended hours, weekends, and holidays as business needs require. Requires up to 10% domestic and/or international travel If you are under 18 years of age you (the candidate) may need to obtain the necessary working papers or other documentation required by state law to start the assignment, as well as get a parent’s consent for the background check.

Preferred Skills:

• Coaching
• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking
• Drug Discovery Development
• Goal Attainment
• Market Research
• Organizing
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Trends
• Product Development
• Product Strategies
• Report WritingResearch Documents
• Research Proposals
• Scientific Research
• Standard Scientific Processes and Procedures
• Technologically Savvy

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers , internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/.