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Drug Development Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Otsuka

Director, Global Clinical Development

Rockville, MD · On-site +1

$209K - $313K/yr

An advanced understanding of drug development principles and clinical trial implementation ... management and reporting are essential and will be further developed, including: * Flexibility in ...

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Drug Development information

See Washington salary details

$37.4K

$87.7K

$150.6K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Washington is $87,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,300.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is drug development?

Drug development is the process of bringing a new pharmaceutical drug to market. It involves several stages, including drug discovery, preclinical research, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. Each stage is designed to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of the drug before it can be made available to patients. The entire process can take several years and requires collaboration between scientists, clinicians, regulatory agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

What are the typical stages of collaboration between different teams in a drug development role?

In drug development, professionals regularly collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, including research scientists, clinical trial coordinators, regulatory affairs specialists, and manufacturing experts. Early stages involve close work with research and discovery teams to identify promising compounds, followed by coordination with clinical teams during trial phases, and finally with regulatory and production teams as the drug moves toward approval and commercialization. Effective communication and cross-functional teamwork are essential, as each stage relies on timely data sharing and joint problem-solving to navigate complex challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in drug development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Drug Development, you need a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, or chemistry, often supported by an advanced degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, or MSc). Familiarity with regulatory compliance, clinical trial management systems, and data analysis software such as SAS or R is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional communication skills help professionals excel in this multidisciplinary field. These competencies ensure that new drugs are developed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Drug Development vs Pharmacologist?

AspectDrug DevelopmentPharmacologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related fields; often requires experience in clinical trialsDegree in Pharmacology, Pharmacy, or related fields; may require licensing or certification for clinical practice
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, clinical trial sitesResearch labs, hospitals, academic institutions, regulatory agencies
Industry UsageDeveloping new drugs, overseeing clinical trials, regulatory submissionsStudying drug effects, mechanisms, safety, and efficacy; advising on drug use

While both roles are integral to the pharmaceutical industry, Drug Development focuses on creating and bringing new drugs to market through research, testing, and regulatory processes. Pharmacologists primarily study how drugs interact with biological systems, often working in research or clinical settings to understand drug effects and safety. The two roles often collaborate but differ in their core responsibilities and career focus.

How much do drug development professionals make?

Drug development professionals, including roles such as research scientists and clinical trial managers, typically earn salaries ranging from $70,000 to over $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior positions or those with specialized skills and certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Is drug development a good career?

Drug development is a challenging and rewarding career that involves research, clinical trials, and regulatory processes to bring new medications to market. It requires strong scientific knowledge, attention to detail, and often collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. The field offers opportunities for growth, innovation, and contributing to public health, but can also involve long hours and high responsibility.

What career develops drugs?

A career in drug development typically involves roles such as pharmacologist, medicinal chemist, clinical researcher, or regulatory affairs specialist. These professionals work in laboratories, research facilities, or pharmaceutical companies to discover, test, and bring new drugs to market, often requiring knowledge of biology, chemistry, and regulatory processes.

What are popular job titles related to Drug Development jobs in Washington?

For Drug Development jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drug Development jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Drug Development jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Drug Development job openings:

Drug Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,706 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Clinical Research & Development Associate Principal Scientist

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

Socket.dev
Network Security • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Socket.devexternal

Other

Re-posted 3 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Guide the full lifecycle of clinical research and development projects, including planning, strategy, and execution.

  • Coordinate cross-functional teams to advance drug projects through all phases of development and ensure regulatory compliance.

  • Design, implement, and optimize clinical development strategies, protocols, and documentation to support regulatory submissions.

Job description

What You Will Do

Expert in the field of drug research and development, contributing deep specialist knowledgeof inflammatory myopathies, JIA and /or Sjogren’s Disease. Operatewith significant independence,integrate advanced scientific, operational, and commercialexpertiseto guide the full lifecycle of clinical research and development projects.Ensure alignment of scientific and businessobjectivesacross multiple functions for drug candidates, actively lead multidisciplinary teams, steer project strategy and execution, and champion process innovation and compliance to deliver high-impact results.

Accountabilities
  • Provide specialist scientific and technicalexpertisefor clinical research and development, acting as asubject matter expertboth internally and externally.
  • Plan, coordinate, and direct input from cross-functional teams—spanning research, development, regulatory, marketing, and manufacturing—to advance a portfolio of drug projects through all phases of the development process.
  • Design, implement, andoptimizeclinical development strategies and protocols, ensuring scientific integrity as well as commercial and regulatory viability.
  • Execute recruitment strategies and lead the operational planning for clinical studies, including timeline, budget forecasting, feasibility, and resource allocation.
  • Plan the preparation andtimelydelivery of clinical documents, submissions, and regulatory materials (such as CSRs, CTDs, INDs, and annual reports), ensuringappropriate inputfrom all stakeholders.
  • Manage activities associated with audits to ensure compliance with GCP, ICH, AZ standards, and local/international regulations.
  • Guide and support initiatives to improve the efficiency and quality of the clinical development process, leveragingnew technologiesand best practices.
  • Oversee risk and contingency planning for clinical projects, proactively managing issuesimpactingquality, budget, and timelines and escalating appropriately.
  • May mentor and manage clinical research professionals and study teams, providing performance management and supporting career growth.
  • Ensure comprehensive and ongoing training for investigators and monitors to uphold study delivery standards.
  • Continuouslymonitor, interpret, and share relevant scientific, commercial, and regulatory developments, integrating insights into ongoing projects.
  • Contribute significantly to decision-makingregardingthe scientific and commercial viability of drug candidates, including go/no-go and resource investment decisions.
  • Has personal responsibility for creating a culture of courageous leadership,creativityand collaboration
QualificationsandSkills

  • Essential:Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field,or equivalent qualification.;Considerable experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in drug development;Experience managing and interpreting the results of clinical trials. Knowledge of autoimmune disease biology, clinical manifestations and treatments, knowledge of relevant scientific literature and clinical trials.

  • Desirable:Master’s, PharmD, PhDor equivalent qualificationin a relevant scientific field (advanced degree preferred);Significant experience in the pharmaceutical industry;Proven leadership in cross-functional teamsand complex clinical projects from design through to regulatory submission;In-depth knowledge of GCP,ICH, drug development processes, and regulatory requirements;Strong strategic, analytical, and project management skills, including budget/resource management and risk planning;Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities.

Key Relationship toReachSolutions

  • Internal:Clinical project and development teams;study delivery personnel;manufacturing;regulatory;marketing/business development;therapy/brand leaders;data management;pharmacology;regional/monitoring teams.

  • External:Regulatory bodies;external service providers;clinical sites;marketing company personnel.

Date Posted

09-Aug-2026

Closing Date

03-Sep-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

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