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This position has closed. AbbVie removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Principal Research Scientist I, Engineering

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Jul 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

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 more robust. What was the root problem and how did you prove it was fixed?

What they are checking: Whether they have improved processes with real understanding and evidence, not just tweaks.

Describe a time you mentored or guided other scientists on a project. How did you help them grow?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead through others, which the posting expects of a principal scientist.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with chemists or quality partners about a process decision.

What they are checking: Whether they work through cross-functional disagreements with data and respect.

What would you do

A commercial manufacturing site reports a sudden yield drop on a step you transferred. How do you investigate?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot systematically with plant data and people instead of guessing from the lab.

Regulatory wants a design space justified for filing, and the timeline is tight. How do you decide how much characterization is enough?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance scientific understanding, regulatory needs and speed with sound judgment.

About the work

Walk me through how you would assess scale-up risk for a crystallization step going from the lab to a manufacturing vessel.

What they are checking: Whether they apply mixing, heat transfer and supersaturation control to predict what changes at scale.

How do you use reaction kinetics and modeling to decide which process parameters are truly critical?

What they are checking: Whether they use engineering fundamentals to focus experiments rather than running broad screens by habit.

How would your approach differ for a natural product or an antibody drug conjugate compared with a typical small molecule API?

What they are checking: Whether they can adapt engineering thinking across the modalities this role covers.

How do you think about mass transfer limitations in a multiphase reaction, such as a hydrogenation, at scale?

What they are checking: Whether they understand transport phenomena well enough to anticipate scale-dependent behavior.

How do you build process safety into development from the start rather than checking it at the end?

What they are checking: Whether they treat thermal hazards and safe operation as core engineering responsibilities.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Process engineers support API and natural products projects through all phases of late-stage development, commercialization, and product life cycle. This position is responsible for assessing key unit operations (e.g., reactions, crystallizations) for process robustness, scientific understanding, and potential scale-up risks from the lab to a manufacturing environment. Effective cross-functional interactions with other functions (e.g., technical, quality, regulatory) and on-site manufacturing personnel are key for successful job performance. Purpose Lead research and/or project activities with a group of scientists within the individual’s area of expertise by effectively mentoring, guiding and/or supervising scientific personnel. Oversee the design, implementation, and optimization of processes for key modalities (e.g., small molecule APIs, antibody drug conjugates, peptides, and natural products) from development to commercialization. Independently conceive, execute and communicate novel multi-disciplinary research or development strategies that achieve project and area goals. Serve as a lead scientist on his/her own project and contribute scientific insights into multiple other projects. Responsibilities • Leverage core chemical engineering principles (chemical kinetics, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, mathematical modeling) in experimental design, thought process in problem-solving, and data analysis. • Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety, appropriate handling of materials, controlled drug and radioactive compounds, and GxP compliance. • Effectively function as a principal investigator, generating original technical ideas and research or development strategies. • Demonstrate creative 'out of the box' thinking to solve difficult problems and champion new technologies to achieve project goals. • Independently responsible for project science within his/her area of expertise on one or more project teams. • Make significant contributions to project team through lab-based, or other work environments, activities. • Generate new scientific proposals and lead those efforts. Anticipate and critically evaluate scientific or regulatory advances or competitive threats and respond with appropriate new strategies. • Recognized and sought out as an expert in his/her discipline within the company and possibly externally. • Primary author of publications, presentations, regulatory documents and/or primary inventor of patents. Present at leading scientific conferences. • Mentor/supervise a team of one or more and evaluate the performance of those individuals; is accountable for the effective performance of the team/individuals. • BS, MS, or PhD in chemical engineering or a related field and 14+ (BS), 12+ (MS), or 6+ (PhD) years of relevant industrial experience. • Possess excellent written and oral communication skills. • Possess thorough theoretical and practical understanding of own scientific discipline. • Demonstrated ability to function as a principal investigator, generating original technical ideas and research or development strategies. • Recognized and sought out as an expert in his/her discipline within the company and possibly externally. • Experienced and demonstrated success as primary author of publications, presentations, regulatory documents and/or primary inventor of patents. • Demonstrated scientific communication and presentation skills by presenting at leading scientific conferences. Key Leadership Competencies: • Builds strong relationships with peers and cross-functionally with partners outside of team. • Learns fast, understands key objectives, 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. • Demonstrates excellent technical and personal mentorship of others. 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