Director – Process Engineering / Senior Principal Research Scientist

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 Senior Principal Research Scientist or Director, Process Engineering to help us push the boundaries of what's possible in drug product development. This position is being posted at two potential levels — Principal Research Scientist I and Associate Director — and we welcome candidates who feel they are a strong fit for either level to apply. 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. Whether you join as a Sr Principal Research Scientist or step in at the Director level, 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. At the Associate Director level, this role also carries broader accountability for setting technical strategy and may include direct people leadership responsibilities across the Process Engineering function.
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 and leaders 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 — at either an individual-contributor or people/technical leadership level — 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; at the Associate Director level, this includes providing technical leadership and, where applicable, direct oversight/management of team members.
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; at the Associate Director level, help shape department- and function-level strategy in partnership with senior leadership.
Champion compliance with AbbVie's safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
Bachelor’s Degree in Science related field with 18 years of related work; Master’s Degree Science or PharmD with 16 years of related work; PhD in Science or related field with 10 years of related work experience.
Proven ability to innovate with a history of new or improved product releases.
Interacts well with diverse groups within function and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No