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Pharmaceutical Process Engineer Jobs in Virginia

... pharmaceutical * Strong commitment to process and occupational safety, and environmental compliance Additional Qualifications: * 7+ years process, production, and/or manufacturing engineering ...

Mechanical/HVAC Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$88K - $118K/yr

Mechanical Engineer (HVAC - Pharmaceutical Process Facilities) We are seeking a Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer with strong HVAC design experience in pharmaceutical drug manufacturing ...

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... pharmaceutical * Strong commitment to process and occupational safety, and environmental compliance Additional Qualifications: * 7+ years process, production, and/or manufacturing engineering ...

Sr. Process Engineer

Chester, VA · On-site

$95K - $123K/yr

... pharmaceutical * Strong commitment to process and occupational safety, and environmental compliance Additional Qualifications: * 7+ years process, production, and/or manufacturing engineering ...

Senior Process Engineer

Midlothian, VA · On-site

$98K - $127K/yr

Manage the engineering and design process from inception to completion. This includes: leading ... Must have heavy industrial experience, experience in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food & beverage ...

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Senior Process Engineer

Midlothian, VA · On-site

$98K - $127K/yr

Manage the engineering and design process from inception to completion. This includes: leading ... Must have heavy industrial experience, experience in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food & beverage ...

... and pharmacies to enable significant cost savings to be passed along to their customers. Civica ... Join us. Learn more at www.civicarx.org The Process Engineer II will play a critical role in ...

... and pharmacies to enable significant cost savings to be passed along to their customers. Civica ... Join us. Learn more at www.civicarx.org The Process Engineer II will play a critical role in ...

Company Description LanceSoft - Pharmaceutical Client Responsibilities may include: - Create ... processes and procedures Recommending, creating, writing process control and automation ...

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Pharmaceutical Process Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$30

$34

$38

How much do pharmaceutical process engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for pharmaceutical process engineer in Virginia is $34.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.88 and $36.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectPharmaceutical Process EngineerPharmaceutical Manufacturing Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, or related field; often includes certifications in process validationHigh school diploma or associate degree; on-the-job training or technical certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, optimize, and oversee manufacturing processes in labs or production facilitiesOperate equipment, monitor production lines, and ensure quality in manufacturing settings
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, contract manufacturing organizationsPharmaceutical manufacturing plants, biotech production facilities

The main difference is that Pharmaceutical Process Engineers focus on designing and improving manufacturing processes, requiring higher technical credentials, while Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technicians handle day-to-day production tasks and equipment operation. Both roles are essential in pharmaceutical production but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What Does a Pharmaceutical Process Engineer Do?

A pharmaceutical process engineer reviews the requirement to produce a pharmaceutical product and develops a process for manufacturing. In this career, your duties vary from employer to employer but usually include tasks such as providing technical specifications for machinery and equipment, working to estimate costs for production, and undertaking a negotiation for the procurement of necessary materials and ingredients. Your responsibilities as a process engineer may include providing analysis of the process to ensure efficiency, safety, and compliance with relevant regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pharmaceutical Process Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pharmaceutical Process Engineer, you need a strong background in chemical or process engineering, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and regulatory compliance, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen Plus), GMP standards, and quality management systems is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for optimizing processes and ensuring product quality. These competencies are vital for developing efficient, safe, and compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing processes that meet industry standards.

What are some common challenges faced by Pharmaceutical Process Engineers when scaling up production from laboratory to manufacturing scale?

Pharmaceutical Process Engineers often encounter challenges when translating lab-scale processes to full-scale manufacturing, such as maintaining product quality, ensuring process consistency, and meeting strict regulatory requirements. Controlling variables like temperature, pressure, and mixing at a larger scale can introduce unforeseen issues that require innovative problem-solving. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including quality assurance, validation, and production staff—is essential to address these challenges efficiently. Adaptability and attention to detail are crucial in ensuring a smooth and compliant scale-up process.

What does a Pharmaceutical Process Engineer do?

A Pharmaceutical Process Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing processes used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. They ensure that production methods are efficient, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards. Their work involves troubleshooting process problems, implementing new technologies, and collaborating with other departments to improve product quality and production efficiency. They play a critical role in scaling up laboratory processes to full-scale manufacturing while maintaining product integrity and safety.
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Infographic showing various Pharmaceutical Process Engineer job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $72,681 per year, or $34.9 per hour.
Sr. Process Engineer

$95K/yr

Other

Posted 9 days ago


AdvanSix rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

65th of 91 rated chemical manufacturers


Job description

Position Summary: The Senior Process Engineer interacts with the plant teams, business groups and R&D to identify and drive improvements that will optimize and sustain plant operations and help grow the business.  This position ensures that process safety, environmental, and engineering standards are met at all times during normal operation and the implementation of any process changes. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Become an expert on the process chemistry, the operating philosophy, and the process design basis for the equipment in plant operating areas supported by the role
  • Provide technical support to plant operating areas to help meet site goals through troubleshooting and continuous improvement
  • Work within cross-functional teams to track performance as well as develop and implement productivity projects with the overall goal of achieving improved safety, reduced product variability, more efficient use of energy, higher yields, better production rates, and higher attainment
  • Development and ownership of daily tracking systems to monitor performance of various process and plant KPIs (Key Process Indicators).
  • Lead and support the development of Process Design Packages for capital improvements.  Support capital engineering with Project Punch-listing, Commissioning and Startup
  • Manage engineering design deliverables for small and large projects including:
    • Process design narratives, including key technologies and risk summaries
    • Integration of design principles for operability, maintainability and reliability
    • Process simulations
    • Heat and Material Balances Process Flow Diagrams, and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams
    • Process equipment and instrumentation sizing and specification
    • Evaluation of Process Economics
    • Control system narratives
  • Effective use of OSHA-PSM elements including Process Hazards Analysis, Management of Change, Pre-Startup Safety Review, and Standard Operating Procedures
  • Identify and implement improvements on basic control schemes and advanced process control strategies
  • Develop process economics, feasibility studies, and project justification pitches
  • Ensure quality assurance of engineering calculations, process simulations, and engineering drawings


Basic Qualifications:

  • B.S. or greater degree in chemical or mechanical engineering
  • 4+ years process, production, and/or manufacturing engineering experience as a degreed engineer in industries such as: chemical, petroleum, polymer, pulp & paper or pharmaceutical
  • Strong commitment to process and occupational safety, and environmental compliance


Additional Qualifications:

  • 7+ years process, production, and/or manufacturing engineering experience as a degreed engineer in industries such as: chemical, petroleum, polymer, pulp & paper, or pharmaceutical. Polymer/resin processing experience preferred
  • Six Sigma certification and/or experience in using quality and statistical tools to drive operational improvements including control charts, process capability, and measurement system analysis
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Capable of managing multiple priorities and projects
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively at all levels of an organization and in cross-functional teams including salaried and hourly co-workers
  • Strong computer skills, specifically Excel, ASPEN, PipeFlo, Minitab, PowerBI, SAP
  • Familiarity with chemical plant Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Foxboro, Experion and/or advanced process control a plus
  • Demonstrated ability to generate significant process improvements in areas of process safety, environmental systems, yield, energy and capacity
  • Incident investigation and root cause analysis
  • Experience in the fundamentals of production troubleshooting, optimization, and design for a broad range of unit operations including reaction, hydrogenation, distillation, continuous centrifugation, filtration, heat exchange, solids handling, slurry and liquid material transfer, and utility systems
  • Experience with Front-End-Loading (FEL) and stage gate project development for major capital projects
  • Experience in OSHA-PSM application – hazard analyses, MOC/PSSR, SOPs, etc
  • Must be self-motivated and goal-oriented with proven success working independently and in a multi-functional team environment
  • Excellent organizational, planning, and verbal and written communication skills
  • Able to manage multiple projects
  • Able to use influence to accomplish goals and objectives

The base pay range for this role is $95,000 to 142,600 annually.


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