Biotech & Pharma E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is one of the Midwest's most active biotech and pharma hubs, anchored by the Chicago metro area and suburban corridors where companies like AbbVie, Baxter International, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals have major operations. Australian professionals pursuing E-3 visa sponsorship will find genuine demand for research, regulatory, and clinical roles across the state.
Find Biotech & Pharma JobsOverview
Showing 1 of 200+ Biotech & Pharma E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
See all 200+ Biotech & Pharma E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Biotech & Pharma E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois.
Get Access To All JobsCompany 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
The Associate Director, Commissioning and Start-Up is responsible for providing operational leadership for commissioning, qualification, and start-up activities supporting new manufacturing sites, facilities expansion, utilities, equipment, and related systems. This role ensures assets are delivered safely, compliantly, and on schedule in a state of readiness for GMP operations, while meeting AbbVie quality, operational, and business objectives. The Associate Director leads cross-functional teams and external partners while enabling a smooth transition from project execution to sustained operational performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership for commissioning, qualification, and start-up activities across facilities, utilities, equipment, and supporting systems.
- Develop program strategy and lead detailed execution of Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) Studies for all capital programs.
- Develop, align, and execute commissioning and start-up strategies, plans, schedules, protocols, and turnover packages.
- Ensure readiness of systems for GMP operations in compliance with applicable regulatory, quality, safety, and company standards.
- Partner cross-functionally with engineering, validation, manufacturing, quality, EHS, automation, project management, and third-party contractors to deliver integrated startup execution.
- Manage risks, dependencies, timelines, budgets, and issue resolution throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support and oversee site walkdown processes against as built Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams along with Equipment installations to ensure accuracy and operational readiness.
- Lead troubleshooting and corrective action efforts during startup to support successful implementation and stable operations.
- Lead operational readiness and the successful integration of new assets into routine site operations.
- Support budgeting, resource planning, for commissioning and start-up efforts.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Life Sciences, or a related technical discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
- Typically, 10-12 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing and engineering or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Broad experience in commissioning, qualification, start-up, validation, or operational readiness.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams. Ability to manage multiple priorities, work through ambiguity, and drive execution in a matrixed organization.
- Strong track record of delivering results in a GMP-regulated environment.
- Strong project leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to influence and drive alignment across functions and business units.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting facility expansions, new product introductions, or major capital projects.
- Experience in sterile injectables, biologics, API, or oral solid dose manufacturing.
- Experience with risk-based CQV methodology and digital turnover systems.
- Prior people leadership experience in a matrixed, global, or highly collaborative environment.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic leadership
- Enterprise Mindset
- Cross-functional influence
- Accountability and decision-making
- Change leadership
- Operational excellence
- Compliance and quality focus
Work Environment:
This role may require travel to project and manufacturing sites and extended hours during critical commissioning and start-up phases.
Key internal stakeholders for an Associate Director of Commissioning and Plant Start-Up typically include:
- Site Leadership and Site Director – overall site strategy, priorities, and operational readiness
- Engineering Leadership through Director and VP – design execution, utilities, facilities, and project delivery
- Validation / CQV Team – commissioning, qualification, and validation strategy and execution
- Quality Assurance leadership thru Director Level – cGMP compliance, documentation, and release readiness
- EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) thru Director and VP Level – safe startup, risk controls, and compliance
- Automation / IT / Digital Systems – control systems, data integrity, MES, and infrastructure readiness
- Maintenance / Reliability (MEP) Team – asset readiness, PM strategy, spares, and maintainability
- Project Management / PMO Organization – schedule, scope, budget, and governance
- Procurement / Strategic Sourcing thru Director Level – contractor and vendor management
- HR / Talent / Learning – staffing, training, and organizational readiness
- Finance – budget tracking and capital spend governance
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
The Associate Director, Commissioning and Start-Up is responsible for providing operational leadership for commissioning, qualification, and start-up activities supporting new manufacturing sites, facilities expansion, utilities, equipment, and related systems. This role ensures assets are delivered safely, compliantly, and on schedule in a state of readiness for GMP operations, while meeting AbbVie quality, operational, and business objectives. The Associate Director leads cross-functional teams and external partners while enabling a smooth transition from project execution to sustained operational performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership for commissioning, qualification, and start-up activities across facilities, utilities, equipment, and supporting systems.
- Develop program strategy and lead detailed execution of Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) Studies for all capital programs.
- Develop, align, and execute commissioning and start-up strategies, plans, schedules, protocols, and turnover packages.
- Ensure readiness of systems for GMP operations in compliance with applicable regulatory, quality, safety, and company standards.
- Partner cross-functionally with engineering, validation, manufacturing, quality, EHS, automation, project management, and third-party contractors to deliver integrated startup execution.
- Manage risks, dependencies, timelines, budgets, and issue resolution throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support and oversee site walkdown processes against as built Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams along with Equipment installations to ensure accuracy and operational readiness.
- Lead troubleshooting and corrective action efforts during startup to support successful implementation and stable operations.
- Lead operational readiness and the successful integration of new assets into routine site operations.
- Support budgeting, resource planning, for commissioning and start-up efforts.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Life Sciences, or a related technical discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
- Typically, 10-12 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing and engineering or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Broad experience in commissioning, qualification, start-up, validation, or operational readiness.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams. Ability to manage multiple priorities, work through ambiguity, and drive execution in a matrixed organization.
- Strong track record of delivering results in a GMP-regulated environment.
- Strong project leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to influence and drive alignment across functions and business units.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting facility expansions, new product introductions, or major capital projects.
- Experience in sterile injectables, biologics, API, or oral solid dose manufacturing.
- Experience with risk-based CQV methodology and digital turnover systems.
- Prior people leadership experience in a matrixed, global, or highly collaborative environment.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic leadership
- Enterprise Mindset
- Cross-functional influence
- Accountability and decision-making
- Change leadership
- Operational excellence
- Compliance and quality focus
Work Environment:
This role may require travel to project and manufacturing sites and extended hours during critical commissioning and start-up phases.
Key internal stakeholders for an Associate Director of Commissioning and Plant Start-Up typically include:
- Site Leadership and Site Director – overall site strategy, priorities, and operational readiness
- Engineering Leadership through Director and VP – design execution, utilities, facilities, and project delivery
- Validation / CQV Team – commissioning, qualification, and validation strategy and execution
- Quality Assurance leadership thru Director Level – cGMP compliance, documentation, and release readiness
- EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) thru Director and VP Level – safe startup, risk controls, and compliance
- Automation / IT / Digital Systems – control systems, data integrity, MES, and infrastructure readiness
- Maintenance / Reliability (MEP) Team – asset readiness, PM strategy, spares, and maintainability
- Project Management / PMO Organization – schedule, scope, budget, and governance
- Procurement / Strategic Sourcing thru Director Level – contractor and vendor management
- HR / Talent / Learning – staffing, training, and organizational readiness
- Finance – budget tracking and capital spend governance
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
E-3 Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Illinois
See all 200+ Biotech & Pharma E-3 Jobs in Illinois
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in IllinoisBiotech & Pharma E-3 Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech & pharma companies in Illinois sponsor E-3 visas?
Several large employers with Illinois operations have established records of sponsoring work visas for specialty occupation roles. AbbVie, headquartered in North Chicago, is among the state's largest life sciences employers. Baxter International, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and Abbott Laboratories also maintain significant Illinois workforces. Sponsorship patterns vary by role, hiring cycle, and individual business unit, so confirming sponsorship willingness directly with each employer's HR or recruiting team is essential.
Which cities in Illinois have the most biotech & pharma E-3 sponsorship jobs?
The majority of Illinois biotech and pharma activity concentrates in the Chicago metropolitan area, including the North Shore suburbs. The Interstate 94 corridor between Chicago and Lake County hosts headquarters and major R&D campuses for several multinational pharmaceutical companies. Downtown Chicago also has a growing presence of biotech startups and clinical research organizations. Smaller clusters exist in the western suburbs around Downers Grove and Lisle.
What types of biotech & pharma roles typically qualify for E-3 sponsorship in Illinois?
E-3 visa sponsorship requires the role to qualify as a specialty occupation, meaning it normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. In biotech and pharma, roles that commonly meet this standard include research scientist, clinical research associate, regulatory affairs specialist, bioinformatics analyst, quality assurance engineer, and medical science liaison. General technician or sales support positions without a specific degree requirement are less likely to qualify and should be evaluated carefully.
How do I find biotech & pharma E-3 sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. You can filter jobs by visa type, industry, and state to see biotech and pharma roles in Illinois where employers are open to E-3 sponsorship, without sifting through listings that won't support your visa. Given that Illinois pharma employers range from large multinationals to emerging biotech firms, using a filtered platform like Migrate Mate saves significant time during a job search.
Are there any Illinois-specific or industry-specific considerations for E-3 sponsorship in biotech & pharma?
Illinois does not impose additional state-level requirements on top of federal E-3 eligibility, but a few practical factors matter. Many senior pharma roles at Illinois employers require specific therapeutic area experience, and your degree must align closely with the position. Illinois is home to several contract research organizations and CROs that sponsor visa holders for clinical operations roles, which can broaden your options beyond traditional pharma manufacturers. The Labor Condition Application your employer files must list an Illinois worksite address.
What is the prevailing wage for E-3 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.