Principal Engineer, Digital Regulatory Assurance (Life Sciences)

AbbVie•North Chicago, IL

6d•$109,500 - $208,500

About The Position

The Principal Quality Engineer – Digital Regulatory Assurance is responsible for providing regulatory assurance and quality oversight for IT applications, infrastructure platforms, and technology solutions operating within a regulated life sciences environment. This role serves as a senior subject matter expert in Software Lifecycle (SLC) processes, Computer Software Assurance (CSA), infrastructure qualification, regulatory compliance, and quality risk management. The incumbent is responsible for modernization of quality processes through automation, data-driven monitoring, dashboards, and AI-enabled solutions that improve compliance effectiveness, streamline SLC activities, and strengthen inspection readiness. This position bridges implementing regulatory requirements, technology solutions, and improvements to processes by enabling AI, automation, and data metrics.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, or related discipline with 7 years' experience; OR Master's Degree with 6 years' experience; OR PhD with 2 years' experience.
Strong experience in process optimization, AI enabled solutioning, audit-readiness, CAPAs and using/supporting DevOps tools and pipeline technologies.
Experience supporting regulatory audits/inspections and implementing quality monitoring solutions.
Project management, analytical, and documentation skills; ability to create knowledge materials and coach diverse audiences.
Knowledge of Computer Software Assurance (CSA), digital transformation in quality, and contemporary validation practices.
Expert knowledge of GxP regulations required.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree with minimum 6 years' supervisory experience preferred.
Knowledge of other regulatory domain areas like SOX, Privacy, Security, AI/ML preferred.
Professional certifications (e.g., ASQ CQA, PMP, Six Sigma) preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide quality and regulatory oversight for GxP-relevant applications, infrastructure platforms, and technology solutions throughout the Software Lifecycle (SLC), ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, company standards, and quality expectations.
Act as a trusted advisor on SLC, Computer Software Assurance (CSA), validation, infrastructure qualification, risk management, and regulatory compliance within a regulated life sciences environment.
Lead compliance monitoring activities across assigned portfolios, including periodic reviews, audit trail reviews, validation health assessments, quality metrics, and overall lifecycle health reporting.
Partner with business and technology teams to ensure quality, compliance, and validation requirements are built into the design, implementation, deployment, and ongoing support of technology solutions.
Provide guidance on validation strategies, risk assessments, regulatory characterizations, deviations, CAPAs, audit observations, and other quality-related decisions.
Lead audit and inspection readiness efforts, including preparation activities, evidence reviews, stakeholder coaching, audit support, and remediation planning.
Drive CAPA and audit action management activities by promoting effective root cause analysis, sustainable corrective actions, timely implementation, and verification of effectiveness.
Stay current on evolving regulatory requirements, industry trends, and emerging quality practices, and translate them into practical improvements for lifecycle processes and compliance programs.
Serve as the primary SQA point of contact for digital process improvement initiatives, helping identify opportunities for standardization, automation, simplification, and AI enablement.
Manage a pipeline of automation and AI opportunities, working with stakeholders and technical teams to prioritize, implement, and drive adoption of solutions that improve quality and compliance outcomes.
Develop and maintain quality dashboards, compliance scorecards, key risk indicators, and executive reporting to provide visibility into compliance health, operational performance, and emerging risks.
Facilitate governance reviews and cross-functional discussions to drive accountability, resolve compliance concerns, and support consistent application of quality and regulatory expectations.
Coach and mentor practitioners and project teams on lifecycle execution, CSA principles, validation expectations, inspection readiness, and quality risk management.
Represent SQA in governance forums, audits, inspections, and strategic initiatives, communicating risks, trends, and recommendations to business stakeholders and leadership.
Lead continuous improvement efforts that strengthen quality processes, enhance compliance monitoring, and support AbbVie's digital quality transformation.