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Pharmaceutical Process Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Required: * BS in Chemistry or related science with at least 12 years of pharmaceutical process development experience with a proven track record in small molecule commercial process development ...

The Role Reporting to the Director, Pharmaceutical Technologies , the Manager, Process Development, provides technical and people leadership for product transfer and process development activities ...

Manager, Process Development

Brighton, MI · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

The RoleReporting to the Director, Pharmaceutical Technologies, the Manager, Process Development, provides technical and people leadership for product transfer and process development activities that ...

The Role Reporting to the Director, Pharmaceutical Technologies , the Manager, Process Development, provides technical and people leadership for product transfer and process development activities ...

Company Description MEDVACON Life Sciences works with many leading pharmaceutical companies to hire ... Our leading CDMO client is eager to hire an Aseptic Downstream Process Development SME for their ...

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Pharmaceutical Process Development information

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$18

$33

$49

How much do pharmaceutical process development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for pharmaceutical process development in the United States is $33.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.64 and $41.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Pharmaceutical Process Development vs Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technician?

AspectPharmaceutical Process DevelopmentPharmaceutical Manufacturing Technician
Primary FocusDesigning, optimizing, and scaling up manufacturing processes for new or existing drugsOperating equipment, assembling products, and ensuring production runs smoothly
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D facilities, pilot plantsProduction floors, manufacturing plants
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in pharmacy, chemistry, or related field; experience in process developmentHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training

Pharmaceutical Process Development focuses on creating and refining manufacturing processes, while Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technicians handle the day-to-day production tasks. Both roles are essential in the drug development and manufacturing pipeline, but they differ in scope, responsibilities, and work environment.

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

To thrive in Pharmaceutical Process Development, you need a solid background in chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree. Familiarity with process analytical technology (PAT), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, and software like MATLAB or SIMCA is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help professionals navigate complex projects and cross-functional collaborations. These skills are crucial for ensuring efficient, compliant, and innovative drug development processes that meet regulatory requirements and industry standards.

What are the typical challenges faced when transitioning a pharmaceutical process from laboratory scale to full-scale manufacturing?

One of the main challenges in pharmaceutical process development is ensuring that processes developed at laboratory or pilot scale remain robust, efficient, and compliant when scaled up to full manufacturing. Variables such as mixing, temperature control, and material properties can behave differently at larger volumes, potentially impacting product quality or yield. Process developers often work closely with manufacturing, quality assurance, and engineering teams to troubleshoot issues and optimize protocols, making strong cross-functional collaboration skills essential. Addressing regulatory requirements during scale-up is also critical to ensure that the process meets all quality and safety standards.

What is pharmaceutical process development?

Pharmaceutical process development is the series of activities involved in designing, optimizing, and scaling up the manufacturing processes for pharmaceutical products. It includes transforming laboratory procedures into reliable, efficient, and reproducible processes that meet regulatory standards for quality and safety. This phase is crucial for ensuring that medications can be produced consistently and at a larger scale while maintaining product efficacy and compliance with industry regulations.
More about Pharmaceutical Process Development jobs
What states have the most Pharmaceutical Process Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Pharmaceutical Process Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Pharmaceutical Process Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,060 per year, or $33.7 per hour.

Director, Chemical Engineering R&D

Merck & Co.

Rahway, NJ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Merck rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Job DescriptionDescription:-The Director of Chemical Engineering R&D is responsible for managing a portfolio of projects from our Company's clinical pipeline, including oversight of laboratory-based process development and characterization, pilot plant scale-up and activities to support technology transfer and regulatory filings. The incumbent will be responsible for the performance and professional development of staff members within their group. In partnership with counterparts from Process Chemistry, Analytical R&D, and our Company's Manufacturing Division, the role is responsible for ensuring that innovative, robust, safe and economical processes are developed and launched for the small molecule pipeline with the best science at first filing towards world class supply targets. In addition, the Director participates in network wide activities within Small Molecule Process and our Research & Development division for setting strategic direction on the pipeline and other priorities, as well as helping to prioritize resource allocation.-Nature and Scope of Position:The Director reports to the Executive Director, Head of Chemical Engineering Research & Development, Small Molecule Process Research & Development. This Director role is responsible for the performance and professional development of approximately 15 staff members, including both scientific supervisors and R&D engineers. The incumbent will be responsible for helping to recruit, as well as for appraisal and development of personnel under their supervision. In addition, the Director will actively demonstrate and encourage diversity and inclusion principles in their approach to problem solving and talent development.Critical tasks involve technical and strategic oversight of chemical engineering staff who directly contribute to the development, characterization and scale-up of various unit operations for manufacturing processes, including batch and continuous reactions, crystallizations, extractions, membrane separations, distillation, filtration and drying. The developed processes are ultimately demonstrated and validated at internal and external commercial supply sites and documented in technology transfer documents and regulatory filing submissions. The role maintains awareness of external factors, internal and external contacts and expertise requirements needed to solve challenging technical problems.- The Director influences the strategic direction of drug development and contributes to program Line-of-Sight (LOS) plans and Integrated Development and Supply Plans (IDSPs). This role directs technical and strategic work supporting their projects and provides input and guidance to reports including use of best practices and appropriate approaches to optimize resource utilization, as well as novel ideas or innovative approaches to technical or strategic advancements of programs. The incumbent will keep abreast, and encourage sharing, of discoveries in the field to ensure our Company remains an industry leader in drug development. The Director provides constructive and timely feedback to close performance gaps. In addition, the role ensures that all team activities are completed with the highest regard for safety, quality and regulatory compliance.The scope of the role may also involve the oversight of the department's specialty groups, such as the crystallization lab (Xlab) or the Environmental Process Safety and Engineering (EPSE) teams.Qualifications:Required:BS in Chemistry or related science with at least 12 years of pharmaceutical process development experience with a proven track record in small molecule commercial process development, scale-up, and technology transfer to manufacturing-MS in Chemistry or related science with at least 10 years of pharmaceutical process development experience with a proven track record in small molecule commercial process development, scale-up, and technology transfer to manufacturingPh.D. in Chemistry or related science with at least 8 years of pharmaceutical process development experience with a proven track record in small molecule commercial process development, scale-up, and technology transfer to manufacturingExperience with authoring regulatory submissions and responding to regulatory questionsDemonstrated ability in leading cross-functional groupsTrack record and commitment to employee development/retentionExcellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skillsStrength in delivering results on firm deadlinesDemonstrated ability in selection and prioritization of a portfolio of projectsLocation:Rahway, NJ location is requiredRequired Skills: Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, Clinical Manufacturing, Collaborative Communications, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), Drug Development, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Pharmaceutical Process Development, Pharmaceutical Process Engineering, Process Manufacturing, Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Regulatory Compliance, Technical Leadership, Technology Transfer, Vaccine ManufacturingPreferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.--As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.- For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement• We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively.Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts The salary range for this role is $173,200.00 - $272,600.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.- Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits .You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting. San Francisco Residents Only: -We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles Residents Only: -We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully-Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. -No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.-Employee Status: RegularRelocation:DomesticVISA Sponsorship:Yes Travel Requirements: 10%Flexible Work Arrangements:Not ApplicableShift:Not IndicatedValid Driving License:NoHazardous Material(s):n/aJob Posting End Date:08/15/2026 *A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE -the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date. Requisition ID:R409096 Salary: . Date posted: 07/23/2026

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