H-1B Visa Product Development Scientist Jobs
Product Development Scientist jobs at H-1B visa sponsoring employers sit squarely within specialty occupation territory, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, food science, or a closely related field. These roles involve formulation, testing, and regulatory work that USCIS recognizes as degree-level duties, making them strong candidates for H-1B visa petitions.
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Summary
This role leads formulation and process development for drug candidates, including prototype design, tech transfer, and GMP manufacturing. It requires collaboration across teams, strong technical skills in oral formulations and analytics, and the ability to manage multiple projects efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Conduct pre-formulation and formulation development activities to support early development candidate selection, which include PK studies, non-GLP and GLP studies.
- Lead formulation development activities, including formulation prototype development, process development, in-vitro dissolution, and stability studies.
- Work with external manufacturing CMOs to enable tech transfer and implementation of drug product manufacturing process and GMP manufacturing.
- Under the guidance of the hiring manager in the drug product development group, help implement and maintain a state-of-the-art drug product development laboratory.
- Author and review technical protocols, development reports, GMP documentation such as manufacturing batch records.
- Responsible for technical leadership towards key formulation decision as part of the overall selection process for advancing molecule for development.
- Represent drug product group in core team meeting and develop strategy with other functions to prioritize and meet CMC deliverables.
- Interact effectively & build successful relationships with members of the drug product group, and with other Arcus stakeholders (Drug Substance, Quality, Analytical Development, Regulatory, Medicinal Chemistry, Clinical Operations & Discovery Biology).
- Consistently seek out, recognize and assess new technologies, and implement such for efficient, reliable & robust drug product development.
Qualifications
- M.S or PhD. in Chemical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences (or related discipline) with 1 – 2+ years of relevant industry experience.
- Experienced in oral formulation development, drug product process development, and technology transfer.
- Experience with analytical techniques for small molecules such as HPLC, DSC, TGA, XRPD, and other advanced formulation scientific equipment.
- The candidate should have a high degree of both flexibility and organizational skills as well as an eagerness and ability to learn in order to effectively navigate Arcus’ multiple projects and timelines.
- Strong interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written formats are necessary to collaborate effectively with the rest of the Drug Product Development team and well as across other teams.
- Detail oriented, rigorous and excellent skills in record keeping/documentation.
- Experience in laboratory implementation & management is preferred.
- Proven ability to think creatively, and to obtain solutions to complex and diverse problems.
Location
This role will be based at our Hayward, CA location.
Compensation
- Salary Range: $136,000 - $151,000 USD annually
This salary range is an estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay for this posted position. The actual salary may vary based on various factors including, without limitation, individual education, experience, tenure, skills and abilities, internal equity and alignment with market data. In addition to a competitive market-based salary, Arcus offers the opportunity to participate in stock programs, a performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package. Additional information about our total rewards program can be found here: https://arcusbio.com/careers.
Physical Requirements
- Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, write by hand, lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing over 40 pounds.
- Occasionally sit, kneel, crawl, reach and work above shoulders, sort and file paperwork or parts.
- Rarely climb, scrub, sweep, mop, chop and mix or operate hand and foot controls.
- Must have correctible vision to perform duties of the job.
- Ability to bend, squat, kneel, stand, reach above shoulder level, and move on hard surfaces for up to eight hours.
- Ability to lift heavy objects, possibly weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Position may require repetitive motion.
Working Conditions
- May require working near blood borne pathogens.
- May require work in an environment where animals are used for teaching and research.
- Position may at times require the employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
- Employee must perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses and shoes, protective clothing and gloves, and possibly a respirator.
- May require extended or unusual work hours based on research requirements and business needs.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the company will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.
Arcus Biosciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Arcus is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Product Development Scientist
Align your degree to formulation duties
Your H-1B petition succeeds when your degree field directly maps to the specific scientific discipline the role requires. If your degree is in food science but the job emphasizes polymer chemistry, ask the employer to frame the LCA job duties around your actual credential.
Verify prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Run your offer against the OFLC Wage Search using the correct SOC code for your formulation specialty before you sign anything. An employer whose offered salary falls below the certified wage level cannot legally file your H-1B petition without amending the LCA first.
Search employers using verified LCA filing history
Target companies that have certified LCAs for Product Development Scientist roles in the past two years. Migrate Mate shows verified H-1B sponsorship history by employer and role, so you can prioritize outreach to organizations already familiar with the filing process for your occupation.
Confirm each worksite has its own certified LCA
If the role involves work at a client facility, manufacturing plant, or secondary location beyond the primary office, each site needs its own certified LCA on file before you begin work there. Ask HR to confirm this before your start date, not after.
Document lab methods and proprietary protocols as evidence
USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence questioning whether your specific product development duties require a degree. Collecting written descriptions of your formulation methodologies, stability testing protocols, and regulatory submission work strengthens the specialty occupation argument in your petition.
Use O*NET to anchor your specialty occupation argument
The O*NET profile for your occupation lists the knowledge domains and education level typically required for the role. Referencing it in your employer's support letter gives USCIS an objective basis for the specialty occupation determination beyond the employer's internal job description alone.
H-1B Visa Product Development Scientist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Product Development Scientist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Product Development Scientist positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, food science, materials science, or a closely related field, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard USCIS applies. The employer must document in the LCA and I-129 petition that the specific duties, such as formulation development, stability testing, and regulatory compliance, require that degree-level knowledge to perform.
How long does H-1B status last for a Product Development Scientist?
USCIS grants initial H-1B status for up to three years. Your employer can file an extension to reach the six-year maximum. Beyond six years, continued status generally requires a qualifying employment-based green card petition at a specific stage of processing. Plan your career timeline with that six-year ceiling in mind from the start.
What LCA wage level should a Product Development Scientist expect?
Most Product Development Scientist roles are certified at DOL wage Level II or III depending on scope, years of experience, and supervisory responsibility. Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the correct SOC code in the specific metropolitan area where you work. Run your offer through the OFLC Wage Search to verify the level before accepting.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor H-1B visas for Product Development Scientist roles?
Start with Migrate Mate, which lists employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history searchable by role and location, so you're targeting companies that have already navigated the sponsorship process for scientific positions. Consumer goods, pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, and food and beverage companies account for a significant share of Product Development Scientist LCA certifications each year.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new employer if I change product development roles?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin work for a new sponsoring employer as soon as the new I-129 petition is filed, without waiting for USCIS approval, provided your current status is valid and lawfully maintained. The new employer must file a fresh I-129 and certify a new LCA for the specific worksite and wage before you start.