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Product Development Scientist Jobs in Washington

Phase2 Technology

Product Development Director

Mclean, VA · On-site

$162.80 - $303/hr

Bachelor's degree in a Computer Science or Engineering field Nice if You Have: * Experience leading the development and deployment of SaaS products and platforms on cloud hyperscalers, such as Amazon ...

STAGE FRONT

Director of Product Development

Columbia, MD · On-site

$150 - $160/hr

Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field. * 8+ years of experience in product management or product development. * 5+ years leading high-performing product teams.

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All JobsProduct Development Scientist JobsProduct Development Scientist Jobs in Washington

Product Development Scientist information

See Washington salary details

$52.1K

$93.6K

$136.5K

How much do product development scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development scientist in Washington is $93,618.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,100.00 and $107,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a product development scientist do?

A Product Development Scientist is responsible for researching, designing, and developing new products or improving existing ones, often within industries like food, pharmaceuticals, or consumer goods. They collaborate with cross-functional teams such as marketing, engineering, and manufacturing to ensure products meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards. Their work includes conducting experiments, analyzing data, and scaling up processes from the laboratory to full production. Product Development Scientists play a key role in bringing innovative products to market and ensuring they satisfy customer needs.

What are some typical cross-functional collaborations for a product development scientist, and how do they impact project outcomes?

Product Development Scientists frequently collaborate with teams such as engineering, marketing, regulatory affairs, and quality assurance. These collaborations ensure that product concepts are both scientifically sound and commercially viable, comply with regulatory standards, and meet customer needs. Effective communication and coordination with these groups are essential for troubleshooting challenges, refining formulations, and accelerating product launch timelines. Building strong relationships across departments can significantly impact the success and speed of bringing new products to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a product development scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Product Development Scientist, you need a strong background in chemistry, biology, or engineering with a relevant degree, along with expertise in experimental design and data analysis. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, statistical software, and quality management systems is typically required, and certifications in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) can be advantageous. Excellent problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork skills help drive innovation and facilitate collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are essential for developing effective, safe, and market-ready products in competitive scientific industries.

What is the difference between Product Development Scientist vs Formulation Scientist?

AspectProduct Development ScientistFormulation Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Biology, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, product testing, cross-functional teamsLaboratories focused on formulation, testing, and stability studies
Industry UsageConsumer goods, pharmaceuticals, food & beveragePharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food & beverage

Product Development Scientists and Formulation Scientists often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, Product Development Scientists focus on creating and improving products from concept to market, while Formulation Scientists specialize in developing specific formulations, such as drug or cosmetic formulas. Both roles are essential in bringing innovative products to consumers across various industries.

What does a product development scientist do?

A product development scientist assists a company with the entire process of new product development, from inception to production. As a product development scientist, your primary responsibilities are to research customer demand, develop concepts, and work on the formulation and completion of a product. You also document the development process, test new products to ensure adherence to safety standards and regulations, and assist with production. Your duties involve handling experimental design and execution, reviewing and analyzing data, and creating reports and preparing presentations. A product development scientist can work in a variety of industries, such as food, cosmetics, or pharmaceutical, and may benefit from a diverse professional background.

More about Product Development Scientist jobs
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Product Development Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Product Development Scientist job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $93,618 per year, or $45 per hour.

Principal Scientist Drug Product Development

AstraZeneca

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

AstraZeneca rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 86 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

AstraZeneca is seeking a strategic, innovative, and highly experienced Principal Scientist Drug Product Development, to support drug product development and platform strategy for our expanding Cell Therapy portfolio. This role will be responsible for establishing and advancing next-generation lentiviral vector (LVV) drug product platforms that support both ex vivo and in vivo CAR-T and other cell and gene therapy modalities.
As a key scientific leader, you will define and execute drug product development strategies spanning formulation, fill-finish, characterization, stability, technology transfer, and regulatory support from early research through clinical and commercial manufacturing. You will work with cross-functional teams and external partnerships to accelerate development timelines while ensuring product quality, scalability, and regulatory compliance.
This role requires strong technical depth in viral vector drug product development combined with demonstrated strategic thinking, long range planning, and the ability to influence across a complex matrix organization.
Key Responsibilities
Drug Product Platform Development Strategy
  • Help to define and execute the long-term drug product platform strategy for lentiviral vectors supporting AstraZeneca's In-vivo Cell Therapy pipeline.
  • Establish scalable and robust drug product technologies that enable rapid progression from research through clinical and commercial manufacturing.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert and scientific leader for viral vector formulation and drug product development.

Formulation Development
  • Lead the design, optimization, and characterization of novel LVV formulations for ex vivo and in vivo applications.
  • Develop formulation strategies that maximize product stability, potency, infectivity, and manufacturability.
  • Identify critical formulation attributes and establish platform approaches to support multiple therapeutic programs.

Fill-Finish and Drug Product Process Development
  • Establish clinical and commercial drug product manufacturing strategies including filling, storage, packaging, labeling, and distribution.
  • Lead development of fill-finish processes across pilot, clinical, and commercial scales.
  • Oversee evaluation of container closure systems, cryogenic storage solutions, particle characterization methodologies, and shipping strategies.
  • Drive implementation of advanced fill-finish technologies and automation solutions.

Product Characterization & Stability
  • Develop comprehensive drug product characterization strategies and analytical toolboxes.
  • Establish stability-indicating methodologies and generate robust stability packages to support regulatory submissions and product shelf-life claims.
  • Collaborate with Analytical Development to define critical quality attributes (CQAs) and product specifications.

Technology Transfer & Commercial Readiness
  • Support drug product technology transfer activities from development to GMP manufacturing sites and external CDMOs.
  • Develop representative scale-down models and comparability strategies to support process transfers and lifecycle management.
  • Partner with Manufacturing and Quality organizations to ensure successful process implementation and commercialization readiness.

Regulatory & CMC Leadership
  • Provide technical oversight for drug product CMC sections of regulatory submissions, including INDs, IMPDs, BLAs, and MAAs.
  • Interface with Regulatory Affairs to support agency interactions and responses to health authority questions.
  • Ensure development activities are aligned with current FDA, EMA, and global regulatory expectations for cell and gene therapy products.

External Partnerships & Innovation
  • Serve as the primary scientific lead for external collaborations, CDMOs, and technology partners.
  • Evaluate emerging drug product technologies, formulation innovations, and manufacturing solutions.
  • Drive adoption of novel approaches that improve productivity, robustness, quality, and speed-to-patient.

Qualifications
Education
  • Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Bioprocess Engineering, or related field with 12+ years of relevant industry experience; OR
  • M.S. with 15+ years of relevant industry experience.

Experience
  • Extensive experience leading drug product development programs for lentiviral vectors, AAV, adenoviral vectors, vaccine products, or complex biologics.
  • Proven track record advancing products from research through IND-enabling studies, clinical development, and commercialization.
  • Experience managing external development and manufacturing partners.

Technical Expertise
  • Deep knowledge of:
    • Viral vector formulation development
    • UF/DF and drug product process development
    • Fill-finish operations and aseptic processing
    • Container closure systems
    • Particle characterization
    • Cryopreservation and cold-chain strategies
    • Stability program design and data interpretation
    • Technology transfer and process validation

Regulatory & Quality
  • Strong understanding of cGMP, Quality Systems, and lifecycle management principles.
  • Experience supporting regulatory submissions and agency interactions.
  • Familiarity with FDA, EMA, and global regulations for cell therapy, gene therapy, and biologics.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experience leading drug product development for commercial-stage cell or gene therapy products.
  • Experience establishing platform technologies across multiple programs.
  • Knowledge of emerging in vivo CAR-T and genetic medicine delivery systems.
  • Experience authoring regulatory filings and supporting health authority inspections and audits.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $183,768.80 - $275,653.20. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.
Date Posted
30-Jul-2026
Closing Date
13-Aug-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

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