Senior Scientist/Engineer, R&D Materials

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc; Wayne (PA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is seeking a collaborative materials R&D leader to advance polymer-based concepts for drug delivery and containment technologies. You will research, design, prototype and test innovative concepts with scientists and engineers across global teams.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, process development, and translating scientific insights into disruptive future technologies with potential 5–15 year impact.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of structure–property relationships and applying this to material selection, design, characterization and performance.
• Experience with plastic films, including manufacturing, conversion, characterization, modification and development.
• Ability to lead, plan, communicate and execute projects effectively.
• Ability to work independently with guidance only in highly complex situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute cross-functional projects with moderate resource requirements, risk, and complexity.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in medical devices to support new concepts.
• Apply knowledge of medical devices, chemistry and materials to generate innovative solutions.
• Serve as SME for equipment; design tests, analyze results, write SOPs, train team members.
• Communicate complex concepts to stakeholders to build alignment and drive decisions.
• Lead design, assembly and prototyping of product concepts for evaluation.
• Collaborate across functions to achieve team objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Polymer processing

Injection molding

Film extrusion

Surface functionalization

Organic synthesis

Adhesives & coatings

Polymer characterization

FTIR

AFM

DSC

TGA

DMA

SEM

Mechanical testing

Scientific communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline

Job description

Description

This is a hybrid position requiring the team member to be onsite for a minimum of 4 days per week

This position offers relocation assistance

Who We Are

At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?

There’s no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.

We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.

Job Summary

The Applied Research Team within West is responsible for driving the future of the company by developing innovative products designed to improve patient lives. The R&D organization is keenly focus on technology fields that are transformational to West’s core products.

We are seeking a highly collaborative candidate who is vastly knowledgeable in product and process development. This candidate will research, ideate, pitch, design, prototype and test new concepts and technology in collaboration with a team of scientists and engineers. This role will directly interface internally with our scientific teams working on advanced therapies, nanomaterials, containment technologies, biosensors and drug delivery technologies. The individual must have demonstrated the ability to problem solve and designing novel technologies.

In collaborating across this wide array of global stakeholders, the candidate will be responsible for gathering insights associated with West’s current global manufacturing process network. This role will be responsible for informing West’s development decisions for research and investment into highly disruptive future technologies that may greatly change the way diseases are managed and therapies are delivered in 5- 15 years from now.

Suitable candidates are expected to bring a depth of expertise, knowledge of current developments in both research and industry, and will make a significant contribution to the R&D Team and the future of West.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead and execute cross-functional projects with moderate resource requirements, elevated risk, and/or high complexity, while maintaining ownership of project scope, budget, schedule, and milestone delivery.
• Conduct research to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities within the medical device industry that support the development of new product concepts, in collaboration with stakeholders across the enterprise.
• Apply knowledge of the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, chemistry, material science, and agile development principles to generate innovative technology solutions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for assigned equipment; design and execute tests, analyze results, develop new test methods, write SOPs, and train team members.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and present new product ideas effectively to diverse stakeholders, including management, to build alignment, influence decisions, and drive consensus.
• Solve complex technical problems by applying new perspectives to existing solutions, particularly when integrating untested or novel approaches.
• Lead the design, assembly, and prototyping of product concepts by leveraging internal and external capabilities to evaluate function, performance, and support data‑driven decision‑making.
• Collaborate across business functions as needed to achieve individual and team objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or
• PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.

Work Experience

• Deep understanding of material structure-property relationships and the ability to apply this knowledge to material selection, design, characterization, and performance optimization.
• Experience working with plastic films, including film manufacturing, conversion, characterization, modification, performance evaluation, and/or application development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, plan, communicate, and execute assigned projects effectively.
• Ability to work independently, requiring guidance only in highly complex situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Expertise in polymer processing technologies, including injection molding, film extrusion and converting, and compression molding.
• Expertise in surface functionalization, organic synthesis, and the development of adhesives and coatings.
• Strong hands‑on experience with polymer characterization techniques, including FTIR, AFM, DSC, TGA, DMA, SEM, rheometry, and mechanical testing.
• Familiarity with a broad range of medical devices, including drug delivery systems.
• Excellent scientific communication skills, with a strong record of peer‑reviewed publications in polymer science, advanced materials or related fields.

License and Certifications

A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is a plus, bringing proven problem‑solving skills and experience with process optimization to our team.

Travel Requirements

20%: Up to 52 business days per year

Physical Requirements

Light‑Exerting up to 20lbs/9kg of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force frequently constantly to move objects.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel to West facilities, technical conferences and trade fairs and equipment vendors as needed.
• Must be able to work under time constraints and in teams in a variety of situations.
• Demonstrated adaptability in a changing work environment, including the ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and overall quality of work.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals at various organizational levels, both internally and externally, including customers.
• Must maintain awareness of and comply with all relevant SOPs and company policies applicable to the position.
• Must be able to work in an office, home office, and/or laboratory environment, based on business needs.

What We Offer

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Flexible vacation, personal, and holiday leave ensures employees can maintain a healthy work‑life balance and recharge effectively.
• Inclusive & Collaborative Culture: A global workforce that values diversity, equity, and inclusion—where all voices are heard and respected in a supportive environment.
• Recognition & Rewards: Performance‑based bonuses, service recognition, and employee appreciation initiatives celebrate dedication and impact.
• This position offers relocation assistance

West is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you have a special need that requires accommodation in order to apply to West, please send an email to [e-mail]. Where permitted by law, an offer of employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of background screening.