Biotech & Pharma Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois biotech and pharmaceutical companies actively sponsor international talent, with Abbott, Baxter International, and AbbVie leading sponsorship across the state. Chicago's thriving life sciences sector, combined with university research partnerships at Northwestern and University of Chicago, creates substantial opportunities for visa holders in drug development, clinical research, and medical device innovation.
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INTRODUCTION
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Engineering Manager
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL (Lake Bluff, IL) location in the Transfusion Medicine, Diagnostics Division. We’re empowering smarter medical and economic decision-making to help transform the way people manage their health at all stages of life. Every day, more than 10 million tests are run on Abbott’s diagnostics instruments, providing lab results for millions of people.
The Engineering Manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining the effectiveness of the quality system. Manage department or projects engaged in complex product or process development/support. Oversee multiple projects within a single engineering discipline or a small to medium group with multiple disciplines. Responsibilities include financial and performance accountability. Assure projects are completed within time and budget. Establish department goals and plans to meet goals. Forecast staffing requirements.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
- Quality & Compliance Leadership: Lead implementation and continuous improvement of manufacturing quality systems; ensure processes, documentation, and controls meet regulatory, functional, and operational standards.
- Process Ownership & Technical Review: Oversee and approve complex manufacturing processes, equipment strategies, and design-for-manufacturability solutions; ensure production readiness, reliability, and alignment with product requirements.
- Project & Resource Management: Manage multiple engineering projects simultaneously—allocate resources, set priorities, and ensure milestones, budgets, and timelines are met across production operations.
- Technology & Continuous Improvement: Identify emerging technologies and process innovations; drive adoption of automation, new equipment, and process improvements while proactively managing obsolescence and production-risk mitigation.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with production, quality, supply chain, and vendors to resolve technical issues, enhance line performance, and ensure effective communication across operational and engineering teams.
- People Management & Development: Build, lead, and develop a high-performing engineering team—hire and onboard talent, set clear expectations, coach and mentor engineers, conduct performance management, and create a culture centered on problem-solving and continuous improvement.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) preferred.
- 10+ years relevant experience and equivalent combination of education and work experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced technical education (M.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field).
- 5+ years of engineering experience, including significant manufacturing engineering leadership within a regulated environment (e.g., medical device, pharma, aerospace, electronics).
- Expertise in process optimization and validation, including IQ/OQ/PQ methodologies.
- Proven experience leading technical teams, with strength in coaching, performance management, and developing engineering talent.
- Hands-on experience implementing advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, robotics, or complex electromechanical system assembly.
COMPENSATION
- The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: https://abbottbenefits.com/
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

INTRODUCTION
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Engineering Manager
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL (Lake Bluff, IL) location in the Transfusion Medicine, Diagnostics Division. We’re empowering smarter medical and economic decision-making to help transform the way people manage their health at all stages of life. Every day, more than 10 million tests are run on Abbott’s diagnostics instruments, providing lab results for millions of people.
The Engineering Manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining the effectiveness of the quality system. Manage department or projects engaged in complex product or process development/support. Oversee multiple projects within a single engineering discipline or a small to medium group with multiple disciplines. Responsibilities include financial and performance accountability. Assure projects are completed within time and budget. Establish department goals and plans to meet goals. Forecast staffing requirements.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
- Quality & Compliance Leadership: Lead implementation and continuous improvement of manufacturing quality systems; ensure processes, documentation, and controls meet regulatory, functional, and operational standards.
- Process Ownership & Technical Review: Oversee and approve complex manufacturing processes, equipment strategies, and design-for-manufacturability solutions; ensure production readiness, reliability, and alignment with product requirements.
- Project & Resource Management: Manage multiple engineering projects simultaneously—allocate resources, set priorities, and ensure milestones, budgets, and timelines are met across production operations.
- Technology & Continuous Improvement: Identify emerging technologies and process innovations; drive adoption of automation, new equipment, and process improvements while proactively managing obsolescence and production-risk mitigation.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with production, quality, supply chain, and vendors to resolve technical issues, enhance line performance, and ensure effective communication across operational and engineering teams.
- People Management & Development: Build, lead, and develop a high-performing engineering team—hire and onboard talent, set clear expectations, coach and mentor engineers, conduct performance management, and create a culture centered on problem-solving and continuous improvement.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) preferred.
- 10+ years relevant experience and equivalent combination of education and work experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced technical education (M.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field).
- 5+ years of engineering experience, including significant manufacturing engineering leadership within a regulated environment (e.g., medical device, pharma, aerospace, electronics).
- Expertise in process optimization and validation, including IQ/OQ/PQ methodologies.
- Proven experience leading technical teams, with strength in coaching, performance management, and developing engineering talent.
- Hands-on experience implementing advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, robotics, or complex electromechanical system assembly.
COMPENSATION
- The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: https://abbottbenefits.com/
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Job Roles in Biotech & Pharma in Illinois
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which biotech & pharma companies sponsor visas in Illinois?
Abbott, AbbVie, Baxter International, Takeda, and Allstate sponsor the most visas in Illinois biotech and pharma. These companies regularly file H-1B petitions for research scientists, clinical data managers, biostatisticians, and regulatory affairs specialists. Smaller biotech firms in Chicago's medical district and research parks also sponsor visas, particularly for specialized roles in drug discovery and medical device development.
How to find biotech & pharma visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Use Migrate Mate to search specifically for biotech and pharma roles in Illinois that offer visa sponsorship. The platform filters positions by companies with proven sponsorship history in the state. Focus on Chicago-area opportunities, as most Illinois biotech employers are concentrated there, and look for roles at established pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech startups near Northwestern and University of Chicago research facilities.
What visa types are most common for biotech & pharma roles in Illinois?
H-1B visas dominate for biotech and pharma positions in Illinois, covering research scientists, clinical research associates, and regulatory specialists. O-1 visas are used for distinguished researchers with exceptional achievements in drug development or medical research. L-1 visas apply when multinational pharma companies transfer employees to their Illinois operations. TN visas serve Canadian and Mexican professionals in qualifying scientific roles.
Which Illinois cities have the most biotech & pharma sponsorship opportunities?
Chicago leads with the highest concentration of sponsoring biotech and pharma employers, including major pharmaceutical headquarters and research facilities. Schaumburg and Lake Forest host several large pharma companies offering sponsorship. Evanston benefits from Northwestern University partnerships, while Urbana-Champaign has emerging biotech companies linked to University of Illinois research. Abbott Park specifically concentrates multiple Abbott divisions that sponsor international professionals.
Are there specific considerations for biotech & pharma visa sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois biotech and pharma companies often require advanced degrees for sponsored positions, with many roles demanding PhD or master's credentials in life sciences. The state's strong academic research environment means companies frequently sponsor postdocs transitioning to industry roles. Clinical research positions may require specific FDA regulatory knowledge, and medical device companies often seek engineering backgrounds combined with biomedical expertise for sponsored roles.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored biotech & pharma jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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