Sr Scientist - Chemical Engineer for Drug Linker

Use Your Power for Purpose

At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Central to this mission is our Research and Development team, which strives to translate advanced science and cutting-edge technologies into impactful therapies and vaccines. Whether you are involved in discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy, or supporting clinical trials, your role is crucial. You will leverage innovative design and process development capabilities to accelerate the delivery of best-in-class medicines to patients globally.

What You Will Achieve

We are seeking a highly motivated chemical engineer for the role of Senior Scientist-Chemical Engineer to join our DL Process Development team within Chemical Process and Analytical Development (CPAD) in Bothell, WA. You will join a diverse team responsible for developing Drug Linker (DL) processes for use at manufacturing plants across Pfizer’s network. Chemical engineering principles contribute to the successful development, optimization and scale up of DL manufacturing processes. You will design and perform engineering-related laboratory experiments, integrating process modeling, statistics, and solid-state analysis. Strong communication, high technical aptitude, and creativity to foster original ideas are required for success in this position.

 

CPAD, as part of Pfizer R&D in Pharmaceutical Sciences, is responsible for the development of process technology to manufacture DL for Antibody Drug Conjugate. CPAD scientists engage in all facets of development from small-scale synthesis in support of medicinal chemistry programs, to the development and optimization of the commercial DL manufacturing process. In collaboration with chemists and analysts, you will lead the engineering activities during process development, process scale up, and technology transfer to our clinical and commercial manufacturing sites and external facilities. Given the dynamic team environment and fast-paced project timelines, strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential. This laboratory-based position offers the opportunity for cross-training and developing new technologies. 

How You Will Achieve

In this role, you will:

• Applies technical and functional engineering knowledge to develop safe, sustainable, robust, scalable, cost-efficient and phase-appropriate process that are aligned with internal business needs.
• Prepare internal research reports and technical presentations summarizing process development activities to capture process knowledge and transfer process understanding to Pfizer’s manufacturing partners. 
• Lead and/or support purification and isolation process development for internal pre-clinical materials supply.
• Design, implement, and interpret data rich experiments independently.
• Design experiments to assess scalability of manufacturing processes to ensure successful tech transfer. 
• Understand unit operation design, process modeling and optimization, process equipment selection, and scale-up methodologies.
• Utilize various process modeling approaches to ensure robust tech transfer to pilot and commercial scale facilities.
• Assist technology transfer of processes to internal or external clinical and commercial manufacturing sites and external partners.  May spend time at tech transfer site supporting manufacturing activities.
• Collaborate with process chemists and analytical chemists on synthetic strategy and route development.
• Develop and implement new technologies for process improvement at external manufacturing partners
• Maintains suitable knowledge on lab data management systems and applies suitable modeling tools to gain process knowledge from data rich experiments

• Remain current with the process engineering and chemistry literature. May collaborate on and author external publications and present research at external conferences.
• Build a safe, inclusive, and innovative culture within the engineering and chemistry labs.
• Work collaboratively and effectively, building and leading high performing teams
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of experimental work, and clear and concise presentation of work to stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Look for opportunities to align, share and implement best practices across sites.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least 9+ years of experience; OR a master's degree with more than 7+ years of experience; OR PhD with 0+ years of relevant experience.
• Candidates with additional years of work experience will be considered for an appropriate level for their background
• Expertise in reaction engineering, including experience developing and validating kinetic models from experimental data
• Excellent knowledge of chemistry and chemical engineering principles and sound understanding of chemical reactor design, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, engineering statistics, and process modeling
• Outstanding laboratory skills, attention to detail, and ability to solve technical problems
• Exceptional interpersonal, multi-disciplinary team collaboration, and communication skills

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with technical transfer of processes into external manufacturing partners
• Experience using Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) such as Raman, FTIR, NIR, on-line HPLC, and FBRM
• Experience with separation processes such as Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), membrane separation, chromatography purification, or Supercritical Fluid Precipitation/Extraction

• A good foundational understanding of organic chemistry

• Experience building reaction or unit operation models with software such as DynoChem®, Reaction LabTM, ASPEN, gPROMS, VisiMix,, COSMOtherm, and MatLab
• Knowledge and experience applying Design of Experiments
• Strong organization, time management, and problem-solving skills
• A team player with good communication skills, desire to achieve team and individual goals
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills

• Working knowledge of analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, MS, PXRD, DSC, TGA, and NMR

• Applied data science methods, such as machine learning and AI

 

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Due to the need to support global operations, the employee may be required to attend teleconference meetings that are outside of core work hours in Pacific Time.
• Local business travel to support vendor oversight activities <10%.  of work time.

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

 

 

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $93,600.00 to $156,000.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 12.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

 

 

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

 

 

Research and Development