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Upstream Process Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Senior Process Engineer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site +1

$104K - $135K/yr

A key contributor on process engineering design teams (upstream, downstream, utilities, fill & finish) * Establishing a process design basis, developing process options, and optimization of selected ...

Key Responsibilities * Define and optimize the upstream process from shake flask through ... Engineering, or related field. * Hands-on experience in viral vector production, and ...

... engineering breadth, functioning as a key technical authority who bridges construct-level design decisions with upstream process outcomes, while closely interfacing with Downstream, Analytical, and ...

Key Responsibilities * Define and optimize the upstream process from shake flask through ... Engineering, or related field. * Hands-on experience in viral vector production, and ...

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Upstream Process Engineer information

See Pennsylvania salary details

$49.6K

$92.2K

$142.8K

How much do upstream process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for upstream process engineer in Pennsylvania is $92,239.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,700.00 and $103,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an upstream process engineer do?

An Upstream Process Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling up processes related to the early stages of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, including cell culture and fermentation. They work on improving yield, ensuring process efficiency, and maintaining regulatory compliance. Their role involves troubleshooting, process design, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to support production.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an upstream process engineer?

An Upstream Process Engineer typically focuses on designing, optimizing, and monitoring processes related to raw material extraction and initial conversion in industries such as oil & gas, biotechnology, or chemicals. Daily tasks might involve analyzing process data, troubleshooting equipment or process issues, implementing efficiency improvements, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Collaboration is a key part of the role, as you’ll work closely with operations, maintenance, quality assurance, and R&D teams to achieve production targets. Engineers also regularly participate in safety meetings, process audits, and project planning sessions to support continuous improvement. This dynamic environment offers exposure to both hands-on technical work and cross-functional project leadership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an upstream process engineer, and why are they important?

Upstream Process Engineers require a solid background in chemical or biochemical engineering, process design, and troubleshooting, often backed by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation software such as Aspen Plus or HYSYS, as well as knowledge of industry standards and certifications like Six Sigma or API, is highly valued. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills help these engineers excel when coordinating across multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial to ensure process efficiency, safety, and innovation in large-scale production environments.

What job categories do people searching Upstream Process Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania look for?

The top searched job categories for Upstream Process Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania are:

Infographic showing various Upstream Process Engineer job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,239 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Senior Scientist - Lentiviral Vector Upstream Process Development

Jj

Spring House, PA • On-site

$87K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design and execute upstream process development studies for lentiviral therapeutic products.

  • Conduct cell culture experiments using shake flasks, bench-scale bioreactors, and automated high-throughput systems.

  • Collaborate with manufacturing sites and support technology transfer, process optimization, and product lifecycle management.


Job description

At Johnson & Johnson,we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build aworld where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured,where treatments are smarter and less invasive, andsolutions are personal.Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.Learn more at jnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Biotherapeutics R&D

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description:

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal.

Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more atjnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

We are searching for the best talent for a Senior Scientist - Lentiviral Vector Upstream Process Development to be based in Spring House, PA.

Purpose:

The Senior Scientist, Lentiviral Vector Upstream Process Development, will lead development, optimization, and characterization of scalable cell culture processesfor cell therapy and CAR-T programs. This role will provide scientific leadership for early- or clinical-stage process development, with emphasis on cell culture and bioreactor execution at varying scales and data-driven process understanding, platform robustness and knowledge and optimization of upstream process technologies. This role will also support technology transfer to Johnson & Johnson's manufacturing sites, commercial manufacturing investigations and provide subject matter expert knowledge as part of life cycle management for cell therapy products in Johnson & Johnson's pipeline.

You will be responsible for:

  • Design and execute upstream process development studies for lentiviral therapeutic products and provide scientific guidance.

  • Conduct cell culture experiments using shake flasks, bench-scale bioreactors, and automated high-throughput systems.

  • Contribute todevelopmentof lentiviral processes to continuously improve productivity, quality, and manufacturability.

  • Perform technology transfer to and collaborate with Johnson & Johnson's manufacturing sites

  • Support existing and new commercial manufacturing investigations and provide subject matter expert knowledge as part of product life cycle management

  • Apply statistical experimental design, data analytics, and online monitoring and visualization tools to strengthen upstream process understanding.

  • Analyze and interpret process data using JMP,MiniTab, Python, Spotfire, or similar platforms.

  • Evaluate emerging novel upstream technologies that improve process robustness and development efficiency.

  • Collaborate closely with downstream, analytical, formulation, modeling, automation to align study design and deliverables

  • Mentor junior scientists and provide scientific leadership across programs and cross-functional workstreams.

  • Author technical reports, development summaries, scientific presentations, protocols, and regulatory-supporting documentation.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, or related field with 2+ years of relevant experience; ORBS or MS with 4-6 years of relevant experience.

  • Experience with process development of viral based products.

  • Experience in mammalian cell culture process development for biologics, cell and gene therapy, RNA therapeutics, or related viral vector modalities.

  • Hands-on experience with cell culture, bioreactor operation, media optimization, process monitoring, and process scale-up.

  • Strong data analysis, experimental design, and technical documentation skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, interpret, and communicate complex studies.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to work effectively in cross-functional team environments.

  • Previous experience with technology transfer of a bioprocess to clinical or commercial GMP manufacturing is strongly preferred

  • Occasional weekend work may be required

  • Up to 10% domestic and international travel may be required

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson and Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants' needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please email the Employee Health Support Center (ra-employeehealthsup@its.jnj.com) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Analytical Reasoning, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC), Coaching, Consulting, Critical Thinking, Drug Discovery Development, Emerging Technologies, Molecular Diagnostics, Pharmacogenetics, Pharmacovigilance, Process Improvements, Quality Assurance (QA), Relationship Building, Research Documents, Scientific Research, Technologically Savvy