Principal Research Scientist I - Process Engineering
AbbVie
August 10, 2026
On-site
North Chicago, IL
$124,500 - $236,500 USD yearly
Operations
Key responsibilities:
- Lead drug product manufacturing process early phase development for synthetic molecule development candidates.
- Collaborate with development CMC teams to align manufacturing processes with intended commercial manufacturing sites.
- Advance scientific expertise through mentoring peers and influencing senior leadership.
- Drive development of technologies and scientific innovations to expand small molecule formulation capabilities.
- Partner cross-functionally to build strategies supporting drug discovery and development programs.
- Champion compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
Qualifications:
- BS (+14 yr experience) / MS (+12 yr experience) / PhD (+6 yr experience) in Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
- Strong project leadership experience for drug product development.
- Advanced understanding of manufacturing platforms: direct compression, wet & dry granulation, hot melt extrusion, including tableting, encapsulation, and film coating.
- Advanced understanding of powder material properties and impact on manufacturability and performance.
- Ability to apply/interpret models to optimize development.
- Experience writing regulatory submissions and generating approval-required data.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot process/material issues.
- Ability to scale-up development to pilot plant equipment.
- Excellent oral and written communication; strong cross-functional collaboration.
Preferred:
- Drug substance crystallization development knowledge.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- Eligible for long-term incentive programs.
- Lead drug product manufacturing process early phase development for synthetic molecule development candidates.
- Collaborate with development CMC teams to align manufacturing processes with intended commercial manufacturing sites.
- Advance scientific expertise through mentoring peers and influencing senior leadership.
- Drive development of technologies and scientific innovations to expand small molecule formulation capabilities.
- Partner cross-functionally to build strategies supporting drug discovery and development programs.
- Champion compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
Qualifications:
- BS (+14 yr experience) / MS (+12 yr experience) / PhD (+6 yr experience) in Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
- Strong project leadership experience for drug product development.
- Advanced understanding of manufacturing platforms: direct compression, wet & dry granulation, hot melt extrusion, including tableting, encapsulation, and film coating.
- Advanced understanding of powder material properties and impact on manufacturability and performance.
- Ability to apply/interpret models to optimize development.
- Experience writing regulatory submissions and generating approval-required data.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot process/material issues.
- Ability to scale-up development to pilot plant equipment.
- Excellent oral and written communication; strong cross-functional collaboration.
Preferred:
- Drug substance crystallization development knowledge.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- Eligible for long-term incentive programs.