Principal Research Scientist II, Peptide Process Engineer in North Chicago

Job Description

Chemical Engineers in Product Development Science & Technology support API projects through all the phases of late stage development, commercialization, and product life cycle. The role ensures processes can be run safely, addresses scale‑up issues, and develops robust API process steps from the lab to a manufacturing environment. After commercialization, the process engineer leads continuous improvement, technical transfer to manufacturing sites, and resolves technical manufacturing issues in a commercial setting.

Strong cross‑functional interaction with quality, regulatory, and on‑site manufacturing personnel is essential.

Lead research and/or project activities, mentoring, guiding, and supervising scientific personnel. Independently conceive, execute, and communicate novel multidisciplinary research or development strategies that achieve project and area goals. Serve as a lead scientist on one's own project and contribute scientific insights into multiple other projects.

• Develop and achieve discipline strategy aligned with functional goals and scientific objectives.
• Conceptualize and implement approaches using engineering principles.
• Guide decisions for complex situations based on engineering knowledge, literature, and experience.
• Collaborate with experts to integrate scientific objectives into new or improved product or technology development.
• Advance scientific expertise, advise and share knowledge, mentor colleagues, and assess emerging business challenges.
• Ensure quality and effectiveness of major projects through sound design, early risk assessments, and fallback strategies.
• Identify emerging scientific trends, assess relevance, and integrate into short‑term objectives.

• Lead resolution of compliance quality issues and documentation drafting.
• Present project results internally and externally.
• Review and critique presentations for others.
• Establish project operation criteria and technical standards for excellence.
• Generate new product ideas.
• Align impact goals with department and divisional goals.
• Participate in cross‑functional technology transfer teams.

• Act as a technical role model and resource/consultant to others.
• Interact and lead cross‑functional teams, sharing information and demonstrating technical leadership.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or related field with 16 years of related work experience.
• Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or related field with 14 years of related work experience.
• PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field with 8 years of related work experience.
• Proven ability to innovate with a history of new or improved product releases.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse internal and external collaborators.
• Thorough theoretical and practical understanding of own scientific discipline.

• Design, conduct research and development for major processes to be commercialized.
• Lead development of processes and programs to optimize plant efficiency, product quality, cost control, customer specifications, or product design changes.
• Lead technical investigative troubleshooting of product failures and recommend remediation.
• Primary author of publications, presentations, regulatory documents, and/or primary inventor of patents.
• Experience or education with API and/or natural product processes in pharmaceuticals.
• Peptide development and/or manufacturing experience.

• Compensation range is a possible base pay for this role; individual pay depends on location and may vary.
• Comprehensive package of paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) eligibility.
• Eligibility to participate in long‑term incentive programs.
• Additional benefits and compensation details are subject to company discretion.

Abb Vie is an equal opportunity employer committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation or requiring an accommodation can learn more.