Senior Scientist - Chemical Engineer for API Manufacturing Process Development

Pfizer • Groton, CT

4d • $93,600 - $156,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Pfizer is seeking a chemical engineer to join its API Process Development team within Chemical Research and Development (CRD) in Groton, Connecticut. The role focuses on developing, optimizing, and scaling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing processes for Pfizer plants and external facilities. The scientist will lead engineering activities in collaboration with chemists and analysts, from process development through scale-up and technology transfer to clinical and commercial manufacturing sites.

This laboratory-based position applies chemical engineering principles alongside process modeling, statistics, and automation. Work includes developing new process technologies and digital tools, preparing technical reports and presentations, and supporting manufacturing readiness and regulatory submissions. The role offers opportunities for cross-training and technology development. Some international travel may be required for technology transfer and commercial product launches.

Requirements

• BS in Chemical Engineering and at least 9 years of experience, MS in Chemical Engineering and at least 7 years of experience, or PhD in Chemical Engineering with 0 or more years of experience.
• Expertise in reaction engineering, including developing and validating kinetic models using experimental data.
• Excellent knowledge of chemistry and chemical engineering principles, including reactor design, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, engineering statistics, and process modeling.
• Outstanding laboratory skills, attention to detail, and ability to solve technical problems.
• Exceptional interpersonal, multidisciplinary collaboration, and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a laboratory environment and perform experiments in a laboratory fume hood.
• Ability to perform complex data analysis.
• Authorization to work in the United States by any employer; permanent U.S. work authorization is required. U.S. work visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of reaction modeling, property prediction, and process simulation tools such as gPROMS, Aspen, DynoChem, VisiMix, and COSMOtherm.
• Experience designing, developing, and scaling continuous processes or flow chemistry.
• Foundational understanding of organic chemistry.
• Working knowledge of crystallization development.
• Working knowledge of Design of Experiment studies and statistical analysis.
• Working knowledge of analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, MS, PXRD, DSC, TGA, and NMR.
• Working knowledge of in-situ analysis tools for process understanding, including FTIR, Raman, FBRM, and UV/Vis.
• Computational fluid dynamics expertise using M-Star or Fluent.
• Programming experience, including Python and/or Matlab.
• Applied data science methods, such as machine learning and AI.
• Experience automating laboratory equipment and processes, including use of LabView.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform laboratory experiments to develop and optimize API manufacturing unit operations.
• Assess process scalability and robustness, considering large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, capabilities, and operations.
• Evaluate, develop, and apply batch, semi-batch, and continuous-flow process technologies to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable API processes.
• Lead process technology transfer to Pfizer clinical and commercial API manufacturing sites and external partners; support process validation activities at commercial launch sites as needed.
• Use process simulation and statistical tools to characterize kinetic, thermodynamic, and transport phenomena in unit operations including reaction, extraction, distillation, crystallization, filtration, and drying.
• Prepare internal research reports and technical presentations documenting process development and transferring process understanding to commercial manufacturing.
• Champion development of new technology and digital tools to improve workflows and capabilities.
• Stay current with process engineering and chemistry literature; collaborate on or author external publications and present research at external conferences as appropriate.
• Contribute to the Chemistry and Manufacturing Controls section of New Drug Applications; participate in data verification, Pre-Approval Inspection preparedness, and post-submission query responses.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer matching contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days.
• Paid caregiver, parental, and medical leave.
• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
• Eligible to participate in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a 12.5% bonus target.
• Eligible to participate in a share-based long-term incentive program.
• Relocation support may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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