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Pharmaceutical Development Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

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Pharmaceutical Development information

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How much do pharmaceutical development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for pharmaceutical development in Madison, WI is $68,951.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,300.00 and $89,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pharmaceutical development?

A Pharmaceutical Development job involves researching, formulating, and optimizing new drug products to ensure safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance. Professionals in this role work on drug formulation, process development, and scale-up for manufacturing. They collaborate with scientists, regulatory teams, and production staff to bring medications from the lab to market. This field requires strong knowledge of chemistry, biology, and regulatory requirements.

What does a pharmaceutical development professional do?

Professionals in Pharmaceutical Development typically oversee the formulation and optimization of new drug products, conduct lab-based experiments, and analyze test data to ensure product efficacy and safety. They frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams such as quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing to advance each stage of product development. Regular responsibilities also include drafting technical reports, maintaining detailed laboratory documentation, and supporting regulatory submissions. The role often requires balancing hands-on lab work with strategic planning, ensuring that all processes comply with industry standards and regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in pharmaceutical development?

To thrive in Pharmaceutical Development, you need a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, or related fields, often supported by an advanced degree (MS or PhD) and experience in drug formulation and testing. Proficiency in analytical instrumentation (e.g., HPLC, GC), regulatory compliance systems, and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certifications are highly valued. Strong project management, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills set top performers apart. These competencies ensure the development of safe, effective pharmaceuticals while navigating complex regulatory requirements and cross-functional team dynamics.

How much do pharmaceutical developers make?

Pharmaceutical developers typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals or those with advanced degrees can earn higher salaries, especially in research and development environments.

How to get into pharmaceutical development?

To enter pharmaceutical development, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biology, or a related field, with advanced roles often requiring a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant discipline. Gaining experience through internships, research projects, or entry-level positions in laboratories is valuable, along with developing skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and regulatory compliance. Certifications such as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) or Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) can enhance job prospects in this field.

What does a pharmaceutical development do?

A pharmaceutical development professional is responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing processes to create new drugs or improve existing ones. They work in laboratories and manufacturing settings, often using specialized tools and adhering to regulatory standards to ensure product safety and efficacy.

What are popular job titles related to Pharmaceutical Development jobs in Madison, WI?

For Pharmaceutical Development jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pharmaceutical Development jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Pharmaceutical Development jobs in Madison, WI are:

Pharmaceutical Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pharmaceutical Development job openings in Madison, WI as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,951 per year, or $33.1 per hour.

Senior Scientist I, Analytical Development

Madison, WI

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Arrowhead Pharmaceuticalsexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead method development, optimization, validation, and transfer of analytical methods supporting drug substance and drug product development.

  • Coordinate and oversee analytical testing activities for process development, impurity characterization, GLP toxicology studies, and cGMP clinical trial materials.

  • Analyze and interpret complex analytical data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and prepare technical documentation related to analytical methods and results.

Job description

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead's RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.

Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.

Arrowhead's corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI.  Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need. 

The Position

This position is within the Analytical Development (AD) group in the CMC Manufacturing organization. The Senior Scientist I, Analytical Development will provide scientific and technical leadership for analytical activities supporting drug substance and drug product development. This role will lead method development and validation activities and support analytical testing for process development, impurity characterization, GLP toxicology studies, and cGMP clinical trial materials.

The Senior Scientist I will work independently and collaboratively across project teams, serve as an analytical lead for assigned programs, and provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced scientists. This position reports to Analytical Development management.

Responsibilities

  • Work independently and collaboratively with project teams to deliver accurate, high-quality analytical results in support of new and ongoing development programs.
  • Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to junior scientists.
  • Serve as Analytical Project Coordinator or Lead for assigned programs, taking ownership of analytical activities, including planning, prioritizing, and coordinating testing to meet project timelines and deliverables.
  • Independently design, develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods supporting all stages of drug substance/API and drug product development.
  • Develop specifications and test methods for raw materials, in-process materials, intermediates, drug substances, and drug products.
  • Lead analytical activities supporting process development, impurity characterization, GLP toxicology studies, and cGMP clinical trial materials.
  • Analyze and interpret complex analytical data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and recommend appropriate follow-up activities.
  • Prepare and review technical documentation, including analytical test methods, development and validation protocols and reports, SOPs, and presentations.
  • Communicate project status, analytical results, risks, and recommendations to project teams and management.
  • Ensure analytical activities are conducted in accordance with applicable SOPs, cGMP requirements, regulatory guidelines, and industry standards.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of analytical methods, laboratory practices, and departmental processes.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience; M.S. with 12+ years of relevant experience; or B.S. with 15+ years of relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in analytical method development, optimization, qualification, and validation supporting pharmaceutical drug substance and drug product development.
  • Experience developing analytical methods and specifications for raw materials, intermediates, drug substances, and drug products.
  • Demonstrated experience with analytical instrumentation and pharmaceutical development processes.
  • Experience independently analyzing complex data, troubleshooting analytical challenges, and recommending appropriate solutions.
  • Experience leading analytical activities or serving as an analytical representative on cross-functional project teams.
  • Proficiency with analytical techniques and instrumentation such as HPLC, GC, FTIR, UV/Vis, LC/MS, Karl Fischer (KF), and related technologies.
  • Strong knowledge of analytical instrumentation principles, test methodologies, and method validation.
  • Strong understanding of CMC regulatory requirements and applicable cGMP, ICH, and FDA/CDER guidelines.
  • Knowledge of the principles of synthetic organic chemistry.
  • Strong scientific judgment, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and project timelines.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and integrity.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and within cross-functional teams.

Preferred

  • Experience providing technical guidance, training, or mentorship to junior scientists.
  • Experience serving as an analytical project lead or coordinator for pharmaceutical development programs.
  • Experience supporting analytical activities across multiple stages of drug development.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence scientific direction and effectively communicate technical recommendations across functions.
Wisconsin pay range
$115,000—$135,000 USD

Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.   

Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.

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