Senior Principal Research Scientist Engineering
AbbVie
August 10, 2026
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Role Overview
The successful Process Engineering candidate will play a key technical team leader role in the R&D Process Engineering function, with experience leading teams across biologics, peptides, ADC development, and genetic medicines. Will proactively build cross-functional collaborations, lead identification and development of novel process approaches/technologies to improve process development efficiency and commercialization of novel modalities, and provide scientific leadership to develop and implement solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop robust manufacturing processes for novel modalities through all phases of clinical development.
- Lead project teams for process development and characterization of new synthetic and large-molecule assets.
- Influence process development for toxins, cosmetic active ingredients, and genetic medicines.
- Lead scale-up of laboratory processes in the pilot plant.
- Set project strategies; define responsibilities and timelines; lead in a matrixed team setting.
- Solve biochemical reaction, separation, and/or isolation challenges using reaction kinetics, transport phenomena, and mathematical modeling.
- Establish, communicate, and execute research plans.
- Collaborate cross-functionally and communicate findings/recommendations to internal and regulatory stakeholders.
- Author/review technical documents and contribute to regulatory filings.
- Mentor direct reports and colleagues.
Qualifications
- BS/MS/PhD in Chemical/Bio Engineering or related field and 18+/16+/10+ years of relevant biopharmaceuticals industrial experience (PhD candidates encouraged).
- Strong foundations in chemical engineering; proven problem-solving and scientific leadership.
- Effective oral and written communication; ability to lead cross-functional process development teams.
Benefits (if explicitly stated)
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and eligibility for short-term incentive programs.
The successful Process Engineering candidate will play a key technical team leader role in the R&D Process Engineering function, with experience leading teams across biologics, peptides, ADC development, and genetic medicines. Will proactively build cross-functional collaborations, lead identification and development of novel process approaches/technologies to improve process development efficiency and commercialization of novel modalities, and provide scientific leadership to develop and implement solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop robust manufacturing processes for novel modalities through all phases of clinical development.
- Lead project teams for process development and characterization of new synthetic and large-molecule assets.
- Influence process development for toxins, cosmetic active ingredients, and genetic medicines.
- Lead scale-up of laboratory processes in the pilot plant.
- Set project strategies; define responsibilities and timelines; lead in a matrixed team setting.
- Solve biochemical reaction, separation, and/or isolation challenges using reaction kinetics, transport phenomena, and mathematical modeling.
- Establish, communicate, and execute research plans.
- Collaborate cross-functionally and communicate findings/recommendations to internal and regulatory stakeholders.
- Author/review technical documents and contribute to regulatory filings.
- Mentor direct reports and colleagues.
Qualifications
- BS/MS/PhD in Chemical/Bio Engineering or related field and 18+/16+/10+ years of relevant biopharmaceuticals industrial experience (PhD candidates encouraged).
- Strong foundations in chemical engineering; proven problem-solving and scientific leadership.
- Effective oral and written communication; ability to lead cross-functional process development teams.
Benefits (if explicitly stated)
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and eligibility for short-term incentive programs.