Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's biotech and pharma sector is anchored by companies like Atreca, Aeterna Zentaris, and academic spinouts tied to Brown University and the University of Rhode Island. Providence and the surrounding metro area concentrate most F-1 OPT sponsorship activity, particularly in research, formulation, and regulatory roles.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition: Process Engineer
Salary Range: $90K-$130K
Location: Coventry, RI
About Pharmaron
Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 28 locations in the US, UK, China, and Singapore, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated high-quality services.
We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported 887 discovery projects, 1,100+ CMC programs, and 1,397 clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,300 global customers.
The Process Engineer will support technology transfer, process scale-up, commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV), as well as commercial manufacturing activities within a large-scale pharmaceutical drug substance manufacturing facility. This role will play a key part in ensuring the safe, efficient, reliable, and compliant production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), intermediates, and other pharmaceutical compounds.
The Process Engineer will work cross-functionally with Process Chemistry, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Supply Chain, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) teams to bring processes from development through commercial manufacturing while supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Technology Transfer Process Support:
- Define appropriate process scale and equipment selection for new processes within existing manufacturing facilities.
- Support technology transfer projects from development through manufacturing implementation.
- Generate and maintain GMP documentation, including batch records, testing protocols, SOPs, and related technical documentation.
- Provide appropriate training to Operations personnel on new and modified processes.
- Assist with assessment of process chemistry optimization and compilation and analysis of process safety data.
- Manage process safety concerns and support Process Safety Management (PSM) implementation using established site procedures, including thermal hazard assessments, relief design, and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs).
- Provide technical support during production activities, troubleshooting issues and helping ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of manufacturing processes.
- Provide on-call technical support as required during new process start-ups.
Site Engineering Support:
- Generate and own change controls, quality events, CAPAs, and other quality system activities supporting ongoing production.
- Design, specify, and install new equipment or equipment modifications ranging from small to moderate scope, depending on experience.
- Perform and support commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV) activities in accordance with the site master plan.
- Participate in team safety meetings and complete engineering-related safety action items.
- Support the administration and maintenance of the site's engineering document repository, including AutoCAD Vault.
- Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Process Chemistry, EHS, and other site teams to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
Education
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering or closely related field
Experience
- 2+ years of work-related experience in manufacturing or engineering work associated with pharmaceutical ingredients, specialty or fine chemicals
- Working as project member within cross-functional teams
Training
- Familiarity with cGMP's and FDA regulations
- Familiarity with OSHA Process Safety Management Standard
Why Pharmaron?
Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products. With over 25,000 employees and operations in the US, UK, China, and Singapore, Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.
Collaborative Culture: You will thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters, and your contributions make a real impact. "Employees Number One" and "Clients Centered" are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organizations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners, and collaborators.
Benefits: As part of our commitment to your well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance with significant employer contributions
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous employer matching
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Leave, Company Holidays to support work-life balance
- Employer-funded Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions (for eligible plans), plus Healthcare, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- 100% Employer-paid Employee Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP), mental health resources, and wellness programs
- Family-friendly benefits, including fertility support and maternity resources
- Professional development and career growth opportunities within a leading global CRO/CDMO
How to Apply:
Ready to seize this incredible opportunity? Join us at Pharmaron and be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and excellence in biopharmaceutical research and development. Apply online today!
As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, Pharmaron values diversity and inclusion in the workplace, fostering an environment where all individuals are empowered to succeed. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the world of life sciences.
Position: Process Engineer
Salary Range: $90K-$130K
Location: Coventry, RI
About Pharmaron
Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 28 locations in the US, UK, China, and Singapore, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated high-quality services.
We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported 887 discovery projects, 1,100+ CMC programs, and 1,397 clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,300 global customers.
The Process Engineer will support technology transfer, process scale-up, commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV), as well as commercial manufacturing activities within a large-scale pharmaceutical drug substance manufacturing facility. This role will play a key part in ensuring the safe, efficient, reliable, and compliant production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), intermediates, and other pharmaceutical compounds.
The Process Engineer will work cross-functionally with Process Chemistry, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Supply Chain, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) teams to bring processes from development through commercial manufacturing while supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Technology Transfer Process Support:
- Define appropriate process scale and equipment selection for new processes within existing manufacturing facilities.
- Support technology transfer projects from development through manufacturing implementation.
- Generate and maintain GMP documentation, including batch records, testing protocols, SOPs, and related technical documentation.
- Provide appropriate training to Operations personnel on new and modified processes.
- Assist with assessment of process chemistry optimization and compilation and analysis of process safety data.
- Manage process safety concerns and support Process Safety Management (PSM) implementation using established site procedures, including thermal hazard assessments, relief design, and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs).
- Provide technical support during production activities, troubleshooting issues and helping ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of manufacturing processes.
- Provide on-call technical support as required during new process start-ups.
Site Engineering Support:
- Generate and own change controls, quality events, CAPAs, and other quality system activities supporting ongoing production.
- Design, specify, and install new equipment or equipment modifications ranging from small to moderate scope, depending on experience.
- Perform and support commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV) activities in accordance with the site master plan.
- Participate in team safety meetings and complete engineering-related safety action items.
- Support the administration and maintenance of the site's engineering document repository, including AutoCAD Vault.
- Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Process Chemistry, EHS, and other site teams to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
Education
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering or closely related field
Experience
- 2+ years of work-related experience in manufacturing or engineering work associated with pharmaceutical ingredients, specialty or fine chemicals
- Working as project member within cross-functional teams
Training
- Familiarity with cGMP's and FDA regulations
- Familiarity with OSHA Process Safety Management Standard
Why Pharmaron?
Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products. With over 25,000 employees and operations in the US, UK, China, and Singapore, Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.
Collaborative Culture: You will thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters, and your contributions make a real impact. "Employees Number One" and "Clients Centered" are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organizations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners, and collaborators.
Benefits: As part of our commitment to your well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance with significant employer contributions
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous employer matching
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Leave, Company Holidays to support work-life balance
- Employer-funded Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions (for eligible plans), plus Healthcare, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- 100% Employer-paid Employee Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP), mental health resources, and wellness programs
- Family-friendly benefits, including fertility support and maternity resources
- Professional development and career growth opportunities within a leading global CRO/CDMO
How to Apply:
Ready to seize this incredible opportunity? Join us at Pharmaron and be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and excellence in biopharmaceutical research and development. Apply online today!
As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, Pharmaron values diversity and inclusion in the workplace, fostering an environment where all individuals are empowered to succeed. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the world of life sciences.
OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Rhode Island
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in Rhode IslandBiotech & Pharma OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island employers with biotech and pharma hiring activity include Amgen's regional operations, Amica-affiliated life sciences firms, and smaller contract research organizations based in Providence and Woonsocket. Academic medical centers like Lifespan and Brown University Health also hire OPT candidates in research and laboratory roles. Sponsorship availability varies by role, department, and timing, so confirming OPT support directly with the employer is important.
Which cities in Rhode Island have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Providence is the primary hub, with biotech and pharma activity concentrated near Brown University, the University of Rhode Island's research programs, and the Jewelry District life sciences cluster. Woonsocket supports pharma operations through CVS Health's health services divisions. East Providence and North Kingstown also host contract manufacturing and laboratory services firms that occasionally hire F-1 OPT candidates in technical roles.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Rhode Island?
Roles that commonly fall within OPT-eligible STEM categories include research associate, analytical chemist, formulation scientist, quality control analyst, regulatory affairs associate, and clinical data analyst. These positions typically require a degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field. OPT eligibility is tied to whether the role is directly related to your degree program, which your Designated School Official can help confirm.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Rhode Island?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students searching for F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs. You can filter by state, visa type, and industry to surface biotech and pharma roles in Rhode Island where employers have indicated sponsorship willingness. This saves significant time compared to manually screening job postings that don't mention OPT. Pairing Migrate Mate with outreach to Rhode Island's life sciences employers and Brown University career resources can strengthen your search.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Rhode Island's biotech sector?
Rhode Island's biotech sector is smaller than neighboring Massachusetts, so the volume of OPT-sponsoring employers is more limited. Many local biotech firms are early-stage startups that may lack established immigration support infrastructure. STEM OPT extension eligibility, which extends work authorization to 36 months total, is especially relevant for biotech graduates since many roles qualify under STEM designated degree programs. Starting your job search well before OPT authorization expires is advisable given the tighter local market.