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Principal Engineer I, Process Development

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Aug 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a process you made robust rather than just workable. What specifically did you change, and how did you know it held?

What they are checking: Understanding of robustness as a designed property, which the posting leads with.

Describe an experiment you designed where the result contradicted your hypothesis. What did you do with that?

What they are checking: Scientific honesty, and whether they chase the full relevance of an observation rather than the convenient part.

Tell me about a new technology or approach you championed. Who did you have to convince, and what convinced them?

What they are checking: Whether championing meant real adoption or just advocacy.

Walk me through a time you anticipated a problem before it happened. What tipped you off?

What they are checking: Pattern recognition, which the posting names as anticipating and recognizing problems.

This is a Principal Engineer I in North Chicago in the Pharmaceutical Development Science and Technology organization. What do you want to know about which assets you would carry and how much of the work is commercial support versus new development?

What they are checking: Whether they check the real portfolio mix before committing.

What would you do

You are the technical expert on a cross-functional team and two functions disagree about the cause of a batch failure. How do you get to an answer without picking a side too early?

What they are checking: Technical leadership under pressure and resistance to premature conclusions.

How do you combine engineering principles with the scientific side of formulation when the two point in different directions?

What they are checking: Whether they can actually work across the boundary this posting sits on.

About the work

This role covers late-stage small molecule solid dosage. Walk me through what you look at first when a tablet process that worked at pilot scale starts failing at commercial scale.

What they are checking: Scale-up reasoning in the exact dosage form this posting names.

How do you decide which process parameters are worth characterizing and which you can leave alone?

What they are checking: Risk-based thinking about critical process parameters and critical quality attributes.

What makes you confident a process is ready to transfer to manufacturing, and what is the sign that it is not?

What they are checking: Judgment at the handover point, where late-stage process work usually goes wrong.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

AbbVie's PDS&T organization is seeking a highly motivated, talented Principal Engineer I, Process Development with a proven track record and expertise in developing small molecule drug products for our site based in North Chicago, IL. This individual will serve as a technical expert by leading studies aimed at delivering robust pipeline assets and commercial products. The candidate is also expected to foster productive collaboration and demonstrate effective communication within scientific teams. Responsibilities • Lead project cross functional teams to deliver robust process for late-stage small molecule solid dosage assets and commercial products by solving complex engineering challenges • Collaborate within functions to integrate scientific objectives into activities associated with development of new/improved products or technology. • Function as a technical expert by anticipating, recognizing, and resolving problems. Demonstrate understanding of the issues relevant to the broad organization and business. • Conceptualize and implement novel approaches using combinations of engineering scientific principles. • Design and coordinate experiments to test hypothesis related to project outcomes; extract the full relevance of scientific observations while assuring experimental quality through sound experimental design and provides advice on experimental design. • Champion new technologies and demonstrate applicability departments/business units. Implement new technical alternatives for research from literature review, industry knowledge, and extensive development experience. Proactively advise and share knowledge and expert opinions with subordinates, peers, and senior management. Mentor and train functional colleagues. • Consistently and effectively present complex technical data to large and diverse groups. Author technical report, documentation and regulatory submission. • Maintain and develop broad external and internal contacts to maintain technical knowledge as required to accomplish strategic needs of the business. • Responsible for compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional Policies and procedures. • Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field with 14+ (Bachelors), 12+ (Masters), or 6+ (PhD) years of related work experience with strong engineering background. • Deep technical background in pharmaceutical development. Solid oral dosage process development experience is highly preferred. Must be very experienced in the lab as well as in the production environment. • Demonstration of creative 'out of the box' thinking to solve complex technical problems and champion new technologies to achieve project goals. • Interacts well with diverse groups within function and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators. Demonstrated ability to influence others across areas of scientific disciplines. Key Competencies • Delivers business results while also positioning AbbVie for long-term success. • Builds strong relationships with peers and cross functionally with partners outside of team to enable higher performance. • Learns fast, grasps the "essence”, and can change course quickly where indicated. • Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo. • Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement. • Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation and manages innovation to reality. Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.​ AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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