Principal Engineer

Vantive•Plymouth, MN

10d•$108,000 - $148,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is part of the Drug Products – Americas R&D Team, within the Product Development Lifecycle Management and Sustaining Product Organization. This role serves as a Principal Engineer and technical workstream leader within the Solutions & Containers R&D organization, with responsibility spanning container material performance and plastic-related processes for container systems. The position requires a strong balance of material science expertise and process engineering knowledge, enabling the individual to lead complex technical initiatives across material selection, characterization, and container process development. The role operates across the full product lifecycle, with emphasis on technical rigor, cross-functional alignment, and risk-based decision making.

Requirements

PhD (preferred) or Master’s degree (required) in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field
Minimum 7+ years of industrial experience in polymer materials, container closure systems, or related fields
Plastic processing and manufacturing (molding, extrusion, welding etc) processes
Container systems for pharmaceutical or medical applications
Deep expertise in polymeric materials for medical and pharmaceutical applications, including container and drug/device combinations.
Strong knowledge of container material qualification, product development, and lifecycle management for pharmaceutical packaging or disposables.
Expertise in design control documentation, including Design History Files.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and process optimization, preferably for parenteral or combination products.
Proven experience in technical risk assessment, mitigation, and execution.
Strong analytical skills, including familiarity with statistical methods and Six Sigma tools.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and business decisions at all organizational levels.
Ability to 10% travel as needed

Responsibilities

Lead technical workstreams involving container systems and polymer-based materials, ensuring delivery of scope, timelines, and technical quality
Define and manage technical strategy, risks, and mitigation plans related to both material performance and associated processes
Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in polymer materials and plastic processing for container applications.
Lead evaluation and selection of container materials based on structure–property relationships and application requirements
Design and interpret material characterization studies, including mechanical, thermal, chemical, and functional performance
Drive material qualification and change assessments across lifecycle phases.
Lead and support development and optimization of plastic-related manufacturing processes (e.g., extrusion, molding, subassembly, bag making as applicable)
Translate material properties into container process design considerations and performance outcomes
Identify and mitigate process-related risks, including variability, scalability, and manufacturability challenges
Collaborate with Manufacturing and suppliers on process validation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
Mentor and guide engineers in container material science and container process-related problem solving
Drive use of analytical tools and data-driven decision making
Contribute to strengthening team capabilities in container materials and container process engineering.
Collaborate effectively across global, cross‑functional, and multicultural teams, adapting leadership and communication styles to drive alignment and results.
Maintain clear, effective communication with stakeholders at all levels, providing transparent technical assessments and status updates.
Mentor, coach, and develop engineers, strengthening technical depth, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving capabilities within the team.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performance technical culture.