Senior Product Engineer -Animal Saftey

Neogen Corporation • Oakdale, MI

9d • $100,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Senior Product Engineer leads technical projects supporting the maintenance, improvement, and lifecycle management of Animal Healthcare products, including veterinary pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, feed additives, probiotics, wellness products, and related technologies. The role serves as a technical subject matter expert focused on product performance, reliability, manufacturability, quality, cost, and regulatory compliance. It applies expertise in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, formulation science, veterinary applications, and product performance to solve complex technical challenges.

The engineer collaborates with Research and Development, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, Supply Chain, Technical Services, and Commercial teams to deliver scientifically sound and commercially viable solutions. The role includes experimental testing, technical investigations, product and process improvement, support for development and commercialization, evaluation of product performance, technical documentation, investigation of product issues, and guidance to technical employees as needed.

Work may include office, laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing environments. The anticipated salary range is $100,000–$120,000 annually, with additional bonus opportunities. Actual starting compensation depends on factors including relevant experience, qualifications, level of responsibility, and scope of work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Animal Science, or a related scientific discipline and at least eight years of relevant industry experience; or a master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline and at least six years of relevant industry experience; or a PhD in a relevant scientific discipline and at least three years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong foundation in chemistry, formulation science, analytical science, biochemistry, or a related applied scientific discipline.
• Experience with animal health products, veterinary pharmaceuticals, companion animal products, livestock health products, feed additives, animal nutritional supplements, probiotics, nutraceuticals, or veterinary diagnostics.
• Ability to design experiments, analyze results, and make data-driven technical recommendations.
• Experience authoring and maintaining technical reports, protocols, specifications, validation documents, risk assessments, and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis, Design of Experiments, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience working within cGMP, such as 21 CFR Parts 210 and 211, GMP, ISO, or another regulated quality system.
• Knowledge of FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and expectations, Guidance for Industry documents, VICH guidance, veterinary pharmaceutical regulations, animal feed requirements, or applicable animal health supplement regulations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Research and Development, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Technical Services, and Commercial teams.
• Ability to read, interpret, and understand safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedural documents, technical literature, and regulatory requirements in English.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in written and verbal formats.
• Ability to perform college-level mathematical operations and apply basic statistical functions, data trending, experimental design, and interpretation of scientific results.
• Solid knowledge of computers and operating systems, electronic communication, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in formulation development and optimization, stability studies, shelf-life assessment, product scale-up, technology transfer, pharmaceutical or nutritional product development, or ingredient compatibility and performance evaluation.
• Experience supporting commercial manufacturing processes, process validation, equipment qualification, process optimization, technology transfer, deviation investigations, CAPA implementation, and lifecycle management of veterinary pharmaceutical or animal health products.
• Experience or background in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, veterinary pharmacology, toxicology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, veterinary medicine, or nutritional chemistry.
• Experience supporting product registrations, NADA/ANADA submissions, regulatory submissions, claims substantiation, or post-approval product changes.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, Lean certification, or equivalent continuous improvement training.
• Demonstrated success implementing quality, cost, service, reliability, or efficiency improvements.
• Experience with electronic laboratory notebooks, quality systems, statistical software, or product lifecycle systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experimental testing to evaluate product performance, stability, quality, and manufacturability throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead technical investigations and troubleshooting activities for commercialized products and ongoing Animal Health operations.
• Develop and implement product and process improvements to enhance quality, reliability, customer satisfaction, manufacturing efficiency, and cost performance.
• Lead technical projects involving formulation changes, raw material changes, manufacturing transfers, supplier qualifications, and continuous improvement.
• Support development, scale-up, validation, and commercialization activities for new products, line extensions, and reformulations.
• Evaluate product performance using laboratory studies, stability programs, analytical data, customer feedback, and field observations.
• Apply scientific principles to improve product shelf life, ingredient compatibility, bioavailability, palatability, and overall product performance.
• Author and review technical reports, protocols, specifications, risk assessments, validation documents, experimental records, and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Investigate product failures, customer complaints, deviations, and nonconformances; support corrective and preventive action activities, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Collaborate with veterinary, regulatory, quality, and operational teams to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, quality standards, and product claims.
• Use statistical tools, Design of Experiments, risk assessment methods, and data analysis techniques to support technical decisions.
• Maintain technical expertise regarding scientific developments, regulatory expectations, and emerging technologies relevant to animal health products.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to technical employees on assigned projects as needed.
• Communicate complex scientific information effectively to technical and nontechnical stakeholders and listen actively.
• Independently lead cross-functional technical projects, establish clear plans, and drive execution through completion.
• Maintain focus on productivity and quality standards, identify improvement opportunities, and escalate barriers appropriately.
• Understand how technical activities support Animal Health customers, product performance, supply continuity, compliance, and business objectives.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning on the first day of employment.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Career growth opportunities, including tools, training, and support for career development.
• Meaningful work with impact on customers, communities, and the world.
• Collaborative culture valuing innovation, respect, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Additional bonus opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior