Principal Research Scientist I – Process Engineering Full-time

Principal Research Engineer I/II

Are you a passionate engineer who thrives at the intersection of science, innovation, and impact? AbbVie's Research and Development Process Engineering team is on the front lines of transforming cutting-edge science into life-changing medicines — and we're looking for a Principal Research Engineer I/II to help us push the boundaries of what's possible in drug product development. Join us at our North Chicago, IL hub and be part of something bigger.

This isn't just a role — it's an opportunity to shape the future of drug manufacturing. You'll bring your proven project leadership in drug product development to drive synthetic molecule candidates from concept to commercial-ready processes, making real decisions that accelerate medicines to patients who need them most.

You'll be a master of drug product manufacturing platforms — direct compression, wet & dry granulation, hot melt extrusion, tableting, encapsulation, and film coating — and you'll apply your deep understanding of powder material properties to unlock new levels of manufacturability and product performance. When challenges arise, you're the person who steps up to troubleshoot complex process and material issues with creativity and rigor. And when it's time to go big, you'll translate bench-scale breakthroughs into pilot plant realities through expert scale-up execution.

At AbbVie, we celebrate bold ideas, encourage experimentation, and give talented engineers the resources and autonomy to actually innovate. If you're ready to raise the bar, lead with influence, and leave your mark on some of the world's most important medicines — we want to hear from you.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead drug product manufacturing process early phase development for synthetic molecule development candidates within the AbbVie pipeline.
• Collaborate with development CMC teams to ensure manufacturing processes are aligned with intended commercial manufacturing sites.
• Advance scientific expertise within the function — mentoring peers and influencing senior leadership with your expert insights.
• Drive the development of technologies and scientific innovations that expand AbbVie's small molecule formulation capabilities.
• Partner cross-functionally to build strategies that directly power AbbVie's drug discovery and development programs.
• Champion compliance with AbbVie's safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• BS (+14 yr experience) MS (+12 yr. experience) or PhD (+6 yr experience) in Chemical Engineering, or equivalent scientific/engineering degrees
• Strong project leadership experience for drug product development.
• Advanced understanding drug product manufacturing platforms with direct compression, wet & dry granulation, and hot melt extrusion which include tableting, encapsulation and film coating.
• Advanced understanding of powder material properties and their impact on drug product manufacturability and final product performance.
• Ability to apply/interpret models during drug product development to optimize development.
• Experience writing regulatory submissions and generating the data required to gain approval
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot process/material issues.
• Apply techniques to scale-up the development process to pilot plant equipment.
• Displays technical awareness in various aspects of drug development, adherence to rigorous scientific methods, and commitment to the scientific process.
• Strong drive for learning new techniques and technologies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team setting.

Preferred:

• Drug Substance Crystallization development knowledge

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.