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Drug Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Drug CMC Lead

$150K - $215K/yr

We are seeking a versatile and experienced CMC Lead to lead our drug development and manufacturing. Position Overview: Reporting to the CEO, you will own and execute the Chemistry, Manufacturing ...

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Drug Development information

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$33K

$77.4K

$133K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in the United States is $77,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $90,500.00 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.
More about Drug Development jobs

What cities are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities with the most Drug Development job openings:

What states have the most Drug Development jobs?

States with the most job openings for Drug Development jobs include:

Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,438 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Director, Oral Drug Product Development

Biogen

Cambridge, MA

$188K - $259K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Biogen rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

About the Role

Biogen is seeking aDirector,Oral Drug ProductDevelopmentto provide scientificand strategicleadershipfor the development of small molecule oral drug products.This role leadsscientificandengineering effortssupportingformulation and process development across early- and late-stage programs.This technicalleadwill driveenabling technologies fortypicallylowsolubilityandlow permeabilitycompounds, clinical manufacturing readiness, technology transfer, and commercialization.The Director serves as a senior drug product leaderandmentoron cross-functional CMC and asset teams, influencing development strategy, manufacturing readiness, and regulatory submissions.This rolewill alsobe responsible formanaging external partnerships andadvancingnew technologiesand workflows that strengthen Biogen's oral drug product development capabilities.

WhatYou'llDo

  • Leadformulation design, process development, manufacturability assessment, scale-up, technology transfer, and clinical manufacturing of small molecule oral dosage formsacross all stages of development.

  • Develop enabling formulation approaches for challenging compounds, including poorly soluble, poorly permeable, unstable, or complex moleculessuch asorallydeliveredpeptides.

  • Serve as the senior drug product representative on cross-functional CMC and asset teams, driving alignment across regulatory, quality, manufacturing, analytical, clinical pharmacology, DMPK, and external partner functions.

  • Influence portfolio decisions through assessment of developability, manufacturability, biopharmaceutical performance, technical risk, and investment priorities.

  • Champion technology transfer, clinical manufacturing readiness, and scale-up activities at internal and external manufacturing sites.Provide strategic oversight andestablishmanufacturing strategies.

  • Mentor and developscientists and engineers supporting oral drug product development.

  • Oversee completion of drug product sections for regulatory submissionsandrelatedtechnical documentation.

  • Identify and implement new formulation technologies, predictive tools, digital workflows, and best practices that improve development efficiency and portfolio execution.

Who You Are

You are an innovative scientific leader with a passion for advancing drug development processes through rigorous science and data-driven decision-making. You excel at transforming experimental findings into development strategies, using deep technical expertise and sound scientific judgment to solve complex drug product challenges. Your expertise drives you to develop cutting-edge solutions ensuring manufacturability, scalability, and readiness for commercialization. You thrive in collaborative environments, influencing strategic decisions, and fostering alignment across diverse functions. Your mentoring skills inspire teams to achieve excellence, while your forward-thinking approach maximizes Biogen's capabilities in oral drug product development.

Required Skills:

  • PhD inPharmaceutical Sciences,Chemical Engineering, Chemistry,or a related scientific disciplinewith a minimum of 12years' experience in oraldrug productdevelopment.

  • Demonstratedtrack recordleadingformulation and process development for oral solid dosage forms from early development through clinical manufacturing and/or late-stage development.

  • Experience withscale-up, technology transfer, clinical manufacturing, and external manufacturing organizations.

  • Strong knowledge of CMC development, regulatory expectations, technical documentation, and phase-appropriate development strategies.

  • Provenability to lead across functions,influence program strategy, manage technical risk, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

  • Experience mentoring, developing, or leadingscientists and engineers.

PreferredSkills:

  • Deepexpertisein enabling technologies such as amorphous solid dispersions, spray drying, hot-melt extrusion, lipid-based formulations, modified release, or particle engineering.

  • Experience with late-stage development, commercial readiness, process characterization, or process validation.

  • Experience supporting at least one NDA/MAA or commercial productand regulatory agency interaction experience.

  • Strong understanding and hands on experience with oral solid dose manufacturing unit operations and manufacturability considerations.

  • Experience implementingnew technologies, digital tools, knowledge platforms, or best practices across multiple programs.

  • Demonstrated success managing external CDMO/CMO relationships and technology transfer activities.


Job Level: Management


Additional Information

The base compensation range for this role is: $188,000.00-$259,000.00


Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.


Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.


In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees' and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
  • Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
  • A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
  • Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
  • 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
  • Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
  • 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
  • Employee Resource Groups participation

Why Biogen?

We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.


At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired.Read onto learn more about Biogen.


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.


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About Biogen

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Biogen, our mission is clear - we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Together, our employees create, commercialize, and manufacture transformative therapies for our patient population.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Cambridge, MA, US

Year founded

1978

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