Senior Level Product Development Scientist Jobs
Senior level product development scientist jobs place experienced scientists in charge of full product lifecycles, technical strategy, and cross-functional teams driving formulation or innovation from concept to launch. Openings are concentrated across Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals and Distribution & Wholesale, with a mix of on-site, remote, and hybrid settings, and employers like AbbVie, Zoetis, and Veracyte hiring at this level now.
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About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
Biologics Drug Product Development (Bio DPD), a part of Development Sciences within AbbVie’s R&D, is a global organization that is responsible for drug product formulation and process development, and definition of the product presentation for biologics (proteins, conjugates, peptides, neurotoxins etc.) and genetic medicine (AAV, LNPs, Cell Therapy).
AbbVie is seeking a highly motivated candidate for the position of Senior Scientist II / Principal Scientist I, located in North Chicago, IL. We are seeking an accomplished scientist with a proven track record in biologics drug product formulation and process development, scale-up and tech transfer. This position will be an integral part of the product development and CMC teams and will have strong collaborations with several stakeholders, including discovery research, analytical research and development, bioprocess development, combination products development, product development science and technology, pilot plants and third-party manufacturers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Represent Bio DPD in the cross-functional Product Presentation and Device Strategy Team (PPDST) and the CMC Team.
- Effectively and timely communicate development plans, risks, and mitigation plans to stakeholders and line management.
- Support scale-up and technology transfer activities to internal and external manufacturing sites.
- Lead the design and execution of biologics drug product formulation and process development, characterization and robustness studies.
- Initiate and/or support scientific initiatives to drive innovation, continuously enhance capabilities and platforms, and improve business processes.
Qualifications
- BS, MS, or PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines with
- Principal Scientist I: 14+ (Bachelors), 12+ (Masters), or 6+ (PhD) years of relevant industry experience.
- Proven ability to solve critical scientific problems.
- Experience with biologics (proteins, conjugates, peptides and/or neurotoxins), parenteral synthetic molecules and/or genetic medicine (AAV, LNPs, cell therapy) drug product process development.
- Experience with sterile manufacturing unit operations (freeze-thaw, compounding, mixing, filtration and filling, lyophilization), characterization, scale-down models, simulation, scale-up, technology transfer, and batch record authoring.
- Experience leading drug product development as the functional lead within cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hand-on experience with authoring regulatory filings for biologics and sterile parenteral products.
- Understanding of relevant cGMP and regulatory guidance for biologics and sterile parenteral products.
- Experience in managing third party manufacturers of sterile parenteral products.
- Experience with quality risk management and control strategies for biologics and sterile parenteral products.
Key Competencies:
- Deep scientific knowledge and significant hands-on experience with drug product process development and tech transfer.
- Effectively communicates to influence without authority, drives technical excellence, and inspires continuous improvement.
- Builds strong relationships with peers and cross-functional partners to enable higher performance.
- Connects ideas from disparate fields, integrates data and information quickly, and takes risks to achieve the highest performance.
- Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo.
- Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement.
- Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation and manages innovation to reality.
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
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.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
Company Description
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
Biologics Drug Product Development (Bio DPD), a part of Development Sciences within AbbVie’s R&D, is a global organization that is responsible for drug product formulation and process development, and definition of the product presentation for biologics (proteins, conjugates, peptides, neurotoxins etc.) and genetic medicine (AAV, LNPs, Cell Therapy).
AbbVie is seeking a highly motivated candidate for the position of Senior Scientist II / Principal Scientist I, located in North Chicago, IL. We are seeking an accomplished scientist with a proven track record in biologics drug product formulation and process development, scale-up and tech transfer. This position will be an integral part of the product development and CMC teams and will have strong collaborations with several stakeholders, including discovery research, analytical research and development, bioprocess development, combination products development, product development science and technology, pilot plants and third-party manufacturers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Represent Bio DPD in the cross-functional Product Presentation and Device Strategy Team (PPDST) and the CMC Team.
- Effectively and timely communicate development plans, risks, and mitigation plans to stakeholders and line management.
- Support scale-up and technology transfer activities to internal and external manufacturing sites.
- Lead the design and execution of biologics drug product formulation and process development, characterization and robustness studies.
- Initiate and/or support scientific initiatives to drive innovation, continuously enhance capabilities and platforms, and improve business processes.
Qualifications
- BS, MS, or PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines with
- Principal Scientist I: 14+ (Bachelors), 12+ (Masters), or 6+ (PhD) years of relevant industry experience.
- Proven ability to solve critical scientific problems.
- Experience with biologics (proteins, conjugates, peptides and/or neurotoxins), parenteral synthetic molecules and/or genetic medicine (AAV, LNPs, cell therapy) drug product process development.
- Experience with sterile manufacturing unit operations (freeze-thaw, compounding, mixing, filtration and filling, lyophilization), characterization, scale-down models, simulation, scale-up, technology transfer, and batch record authoring.
- Experience leading drug product development as the functional lead within cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hand-on experience with authoring regulatory filings for biologics and sterile parenteral products.
- Understanding of relevant cGMP and regulatory guidance for biologics and sterile parenteral products.
- Experience in managing third party manufacturers of sterile parenteral products.
- Experience with quality risk management and control strategies for biologics and sterile parenteral products.
Key Competencies:
- Deep scientific knowledge and significant hands-on experience with drug product process development and tech transfer.
- Effectively communicates to influence without authority, drives technical excellence, and inspires continuous improvement.
- Builds strong relationships with peers and cross-functional partners to enable higher performance.
- Connects ideas from disparate fields, integrates data and information quickly, and takes risks to achieve the highest performance.
- Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo.
- Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement.
- Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation and manages innovation to reality.
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
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.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
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Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Distribution & Wholesale
Senior Level Product Development Scientist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level product development scientist job?
Employers at this level look for scientists who have led formulation or development projects from concept through commercialization, not just contributed to them. A strong portfolio of launched products, experience coordinating cross-functional teams, and the ability to translate regulatory or consumer requirements into technical decisions give candidates a clear edge. Presenting yourself as someone who owns outcomes, not just executes tasks, is what separates senior candidates from mid-level applicants.
Which companies hire senior level product development scientists?
Companies hiring senior level product development scientists right now include AbbVie, Zoetis, and Veracyte, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from established consumer goods, pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, and food and beverage companies with active R&D pipelines and ongoing product renovation programs.
Are there remote senior level product development scientist jobs?
Yes, though remote availability at this level depends heavily on whether the role requires hands-on lab or pilot plant work. About 25% of senior level product development scientist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions typically involve formulation oversight, project leadership, or technical writing rather than bench-level testing.
What makes a product development scientist role senior level?
Senior level roles are defined by ownership and scope rather than task execution. At this stage, scientists are expected to lead full development projects, make independent technical decisions, write or review specifications, and mentor junior team members. They often serve as the subject matter expert on a product category, interface directly with marketing and regulatory teams, and are accountable for timelines and outcomes, not just individual deliverables.
Which industries hire the most senior level product development scientists?
Senior Level product development scientist roles concentrate in Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals and Distribution & Wholesale, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they sustain large, active product pipelines that require experienced scientists to lead reformulation, line extension, and new product introduction work.