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Project Engineer

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Engineering

Posted Aug 28, 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

This role plans and runs medium to large engineering projects with little supervision. Walk me through a project you have delivered end to end.

What they are checking: Whether they have owned engineering projects end to end with little supervision, which is the autonomy this role expects from day one.

How do you hand a completed project over so the people who operate it can actually run it?

What they are checking: Whether they hand projects over with training, documentation and support, so operators can actually run what was built.

What would you do

Engineering projects at a pharmaceutical site run in a regulated environment. What does that add to a project plan?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how validation, documentation and change control add to an engineering plan at a regulated pharmaceutical site.

You'd balance multiple demands. How do you handle two projects both needing you in the same week?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize clearly between competing projects and communicate trade-offs, rather than quietly letting one of them slip.

A contractor's work is not to specification and the schedule is tight. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they will hold contractors to specification under schedule pressure, since accepting substandard work creates bigger problems later.

How do you keep a project's cost honest when scope keeps being added in small pieces?

What they are checking: Whether they control small scope additions that add up, since creeping scope is the most common way projects lose cost control.

This is based at North Chicago. What would you want to know about the project portfolio and the site before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they would ask about the project portfolio and site before committing, showing they plan realistically for the work.

About the work

The posting names custom, risk-managed execution plans. How do you build a plan around the risks rather than around the tasks?

What they are checking: Whether they build plans around the biggest risks rather than a task list, so problems are anticipated instead of discovered late.

You'd maintain project controls and reporting for cost, scope and schedule. How do you know a project is slipping before it visibly is?

What they are checking: Whether they spot slipping cost, scope or schedule early through leading indicators, rather than reporting problems after they are obvious.

You'd develop the execution strategy including procurement. How do you decide what to buy and what to build?

What they are checking: Whether they can make sound procurement and execution strategy decisions, weighing cost, schedule, risk and in-house capability.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

An engineering professional who, working with little or no supervision, applies advanced scientific knowledge, engineering knowledge, mathematics, and ingenuity to complete complex assignments related to a specific technical field or discipline. A Project Engineer has full knowledge of other related disciplines beyond their own area of expertise. Responsibilities • Responsibilities of this engineering grade level inherently include and expand upon the responsibilities established for lower engineering grade levels. • Responsible for compliance with applicable policies and procedures. Ensures quality and effectiveness of key results of major projects within function through sound design, early risk assessments, and implementation of fallback strategies. Has full awareness of the potential consequences (defects and failure modes) of design changes to established processes. Mitigates risk within functions through sound design, early risk assessments and implementation of fallback strategies. • Identifies, plans, and conducts medium- to large-size projects within engineering specialty requiring custom, risk-managed execution plans, investigations, and/or equipment. Manages multiple, often concurrent, projects and meets deadlines. • Maintains project controls and reporting for cost, scope and schedule; develops execution strategy including procurement; balances multiple demands within an Understands the business needs of the company, and has a thorough knowledge of the customer and clinical needs when developing a project scope. Incorporates business foresight of emerging technological trends. • Works with marketing, product development, and manufacturing to establish scope, priorities, and schedules on multiple projects. - Independently performs economic analysis and feasibility studies related to complex and often multiple competing project alternatives. Responsible for achieving the project's financial targets in support of business objectives. • Analyzes business forces (customers, suppliers, competitors, technologies, government regulations) in major markets to identify trends and recommend responses. Independently executes, and/or directs others in the execution of: the design of products/processes/equipment/systems/facilities by applying novel engineering theories, concepts, and techniques within the disciplines. experiments, often with multiple variables, gathers data, and performs detailed analysis. • Designs and leads complex experiments, often with multiple variables, gathers data, and performs detailed analysis. Assesses relevance. Conceptualizes complete solutions. Creates or coordinates the design solutions for novel or complex problems; integrates regulatory and operational needs; assesses cost benefit. Explores multiple alternatives. Structures studies and integrate cross-disciplinary and cross-functional issues to arrive at optimal cause of action. • Applies technology in innovative ways. Combines technologies to anticipate or address customer needs; shares solutions across sites; employs proven solutions to increase effectiveness of engineering methodology or manufacturing process. Mentors others by sharing technical expertise and providing feedback and guidance. • Where appropriate, provides tasks/project assignment opportunities for employee development and evaluates performance. Represents the organization as the prime technical contact on contracts and projects. • Interacts with both senior management and external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations. Submits articles for internal or external publication. Acts as a trusted advisor. Balances bottom line objectives of a project with long-term interest of customer. Is identified as a Subject Matter Expert in the discipline. Participates in internal teams to develop and align procedures and standards. May influence validation strategy. #LI-BM2 • A Bachelors Degree in Engineering, science, or closely related discipline is desired, or equivalent technical experience plus demonstrated competence, with a desired 8+ years of significant engineering and/or operational experience. A post-graduate education/degree is desired, and may contribute towards the desired years of experience. Has demonstrated competency within a discipline. • Has a career history marked by a consistent series of technical contributions and accomplishments. Significant contribution to product or process development or improvement through creative application of technical effort will equally be recognized. • Possesses a strong technical knowledge and application of concepts, practices, and procedures. Works on problems of complex scope where analysis of situations or data involves multiple competing factors. Exercises judgment and advises management as to the appropriate actions. • Interacts well with diverse groups within engineering and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators. • Listens to and understands others' points of view and articulates tactfully and respectfully one's own perspective orally, in writing, and in presentations. • Works well with other engineers in a collaborative, fast-paced goal-driven environment. • Possesses interpersonal skills to negotiate and reconcile differences. • Has a technical background in health care, medical devices, pharmaceutical, biologics, or similar industries (preferred). • Has demonstrated competency with financial systems and in fiscal control. 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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