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Manufacturing Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Active Surfaces

Manufacturing Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$77K - $100K/yr

Our technology, born from nearly a decade of materials science research at MIT, enables ultra ... The Manufacturing Engineer I will also take a key role in working with the broader technical team ...

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Manufacturing Scientist information

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$36

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How much do manufacturing scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for manufacturing scientist in the United States is $36.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.64 and $43.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Which scientist is highly paid?

Among scientists, those specializing in fields like petroleum engineering, data science, and pharmaceuticals tend to have the highest salaries. In the context of manufacturing science, senior-level roles with advanced degrees and specialized skills often command higher pay. Salary levels also depend on experience, certifications, and industry demand.

What is a manufacturing scientist?

A manufacturing scientist is a professional responsible for developing, optimizing, and validating manufacturing processes for products, often in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotech, or chemicals. They use scientific methods, laboratory techniques, and process engineering skills to ensure product quality, efficiency, and compliance with regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manufacturing Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Manufacturing Scientist, you need a solid background in chemistry, biology, or engineering, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Experience with laboratory instrumentation, manufacturing process control systems, and familiarity with GMP regulations are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and attention to detail are essential soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills ensure efficient production, regulatory compliance, and high-quality outputs in manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges Manufacturing Scientists face when transferring new processes from development to full-scale production?

Manufacturing Scientists often encounter challenges when scaling up processes, such as ensuring consistency between small-scale laboratory results and large-scale manufacturing outcomes. Variations in equipment, raw material batches, and environmental conditions can impact product quality and yield. Effective cross-functional communication with engineering, quality assurance, and production teams is crucial to address these issues. Proactively identifying potential bottlenecks and standardizing protocols are key strategies for a successful process transfer.

What are manufacturing scientists?

Manufacturing scientists are professionals who apply scientific principles to develop, optimize, and oversee manufacturing processes, especially in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and chemicals. They work to ensure products are produced efficiently, safely, and to the highest quality standards. Their role often involves troubleshooting production issues, scaling up laboratory procedures for full-scale manufacturing, validating processes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Manufacturing scientists collaborate with engineers, quality assurance teams, and production staff to improve processes and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Do I need a PhD to be a research scientist?

A manufacturing scientist typically does not require a PhD; a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field such as chemistry, biology, or engineering is often sufficient. Advanced roles or research positions may prefer or require a PhD, especially for independent research or leadership roles. Relevant skills include laboratory techniques, data analysis, and familiarity with manufacturing processes.

What is the highest paying job in manufacturing?

In manufacturing, senior engineering roles such as Manufacturing Director or Vice President of Manufacturing tend to be the highest paying positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of production processes and quality control systems.

What is the difference between Manufacturing Scientist vs Quality Control Analyst?

AspectManufacturing ScientistQuality Control Analyst
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, Chemistry, or related fieldBachelor's in Chemistry, Biology, or related field; certifications may vary
Work EnvironmentResearch and development labs, manufacturing facilitiesQuality labs, manufacturing sites, testing environments
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, and manufacturing companiesPharmaceutical, biotech, and manufacturing companies
Primary FocusDeveloping and optimizing manufacturing processesTesting and ensuring product quality and compliance

Manufacturing Scientists focus on process development and optimization in manufacturing settings, while Quality Control Analysts concentrate on testing products to ensure quality standards are met. Both roles are essential in the manufacturing industry and often work closely together to ensure efficient production and high-quality products.

More about Manufacturing Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Manufacturing Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Manufacturing Scientist job openings:
What states have the most Manufacturing Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Manufacturing Scientist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Manufacturing Scientist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Manufacturing Scientist jobs are:
Manufacturing Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Manufacturing Scientist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,437 per year, or $36.3 per hour.
TSMS Scientist

TSMS Scientist

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated

Winslow, ME • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 74 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) - it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose - all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals' lives better makes life better - join our team today!
Your Role: Manufacturing Scientist (TS/MS)
As a Manufacturing Scientist (TS/MS), you will be part of the Technical Services/Manufacturing Science team supporting process improvement, troubleshooting, and process capability for vaccine manufacturing operations. In this role, you will drive root cause investigations, support technical transfers, and ensure manufacturing processes remain compliant, efficient, and in a state of control to meet site and business objectives.
Your Responsibilities:
• Lead process troubleshooting and root cause analysis for critical deviations to prevent recurrence
• Drive process improvements through data analysis, process capability assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Partner with QC, AS&T, R&D, and Operations to support assay troubleshooting and technical transfer activities
• Develop and update SOPs, batch records, and ensure compliance with quality systems and regulatory requirements
• Execute experiments, analyze trends, and support manufacturing processes to maintain a capable and controlled state
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Veterinary Sciences, or related field
• Experience: Experience in manufacturing, process improvement, or troubleshooting within a scientific or regulated environment
• Top 2 skills: Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills + ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
• Master's degree or 3+ years of experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Experience with vaccine production processes (fermentation, tissue culture, lyophilization, filtration, filling)
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and process capability tools
• Experience with quality systems, regulatory compliance, and change control processes
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and data analysis tools
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

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