Associate Principal Scientist, Small Molecule Chemical Engineering

MSD • Rahway, NJ

2d

About The Position

The Chemical Commercialization Technology (CCT) department, part of our Manufacturing Division, is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative scientist to join our team. This position offers the opportunity to provide technical leadership across a varied portfolio of late-stage small molecule development programs while working in a highly integrated environment with research, manufacturing, quality, regulatory and external partners. The Associate Principal Scientist, Engineering, will leverage deep scientific and engineering knowledge to develop safe, robust, scalable, and commercially viable manufacturing processes. The role encompasses process characterization, technology transfer, process validation, regulatory filing support, commercial launch readiness and global supply support for late-stage pipeline and commercial products. The successful candidate will lead teams in the application of scientific and risk-based approaches to process understanding and control strategy development. This includes the use of Quality Risk Management (QRM), statistical design of experiments (DOE), process modeling, and data analytics to enhance process robustness and ensure reliable product supply. This position combines laboratory and pilot-scale experimental work with direct engagement at commercial manufacturing facilities. The scientist will be expected to provide strategic technical leadership during scale-up, process validation, technology transfer and manufacturing investigations while mentoring junior scientists and engineers. The candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, quality, and compliance, including adherence to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), Good Documentation Practices (GDPs), data integrity principles, and participation in risk assessments, deviation investigations, change control activities and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related scientific discipline with a minimum of 4 years of relevant industrial experience following completion of the Ph.D. OR B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering or a related scientific discipline with a minimum of 8 years of relevant industrial experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in chemical process development and scale-up for pharmaceutical or specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Proven ability to independently design, execute, interpret, and communicate experimental studies aimed at improving process understanding, robustness, productivity and control strategy development.
• Experience supporting technology transfer from laboratory development through pilot plant and commercial manufacturing.
• Strong technical leadership and project management capabilities in cross-functional environments.
• Ability to mentor and develop scientists and engineers through technical guidance and coaching.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated problem-solving capabilities using scientific and engineering principles.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across technical, quality, regulatory and manufacturing functions.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with unit operations commonly employed in small molecule drug substance API development and manufacturing, including chemical reactions, workup operations, filtration, drying, crystallization and particle engineering.
• Experience leading process characterization, validation strategy development, and process performance qualification (PPQ) activities.
• Experience authoring or contributing to regulatory submissions and responding to health authority questions.
• Expertise in statistical experimental design and data analysis tools (e.g., JMP, Minitab, or equivalent).
• Experience supporting commercial manufacturing, lifecycle management, and post-approval process changes.
• Familiarity with mathematical modeling, process simulation, mechanistic understanding and scale-up principles.
• Experience working with external manufacturing partners and contract development/manufacturing organizations (CDMOs).
• Knowledge of cGMP requirements and pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Experience applying digital, data science, or advanced manufacturing technologies to accelerate process development and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical development, scale-up, and commercialization of small molecule drug substance manufacturing processes.
• Design and execute process characterization studies to establish process understanding and define commercial operating ranges.
• Apply Quality Risk Management (QRM), Quality by Design (QbD) and statistical methodologies to develop robust control strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for technology transfer activities to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing sites.
• Support process validation, continued process verification, regulatory submissions and post-approval change implementation.
• Collaborate effectively with Manufacturing, Process Research, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain and external partners to resolve complex technical issues.
• Lead investigations associated with process deviations, yield improvements, impurity control and process robustness.
• Mentor and develop junior scientists and engineers through technical coaching and project leadership.
• Drive innovation through the application of advanced process technologies, digital tools, modeling and data analytics where appropriate.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days
• annual bonus
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree