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This position has closed. AbbVie removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 3, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Senior Scientist I, Mechanical Engineering

AbbVie · Madison, WI · Full time · Research

Posted Aug 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 2, 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

The posting names pump manifolds, vision systems, high-precision stages and optomechanics. Which of those are you strongest in, and which would you be learning here?

What they are checking: Honest self-assessment against the specific subsystems named.

Tell me about a time you had to choose between a design that was elegant and one that could actually be built and serviced. What decided it?

What they are checking: Practical engineering judgment over preference.

This is in Madison, Wisconsin, not North Chicago, and it sits inside discovery rather than manufacturing. What do you want to know about the team size and how many instruments you would own at once?

What they are checking: Attention to the site and the real workload before committing.

What would you do

How do you work with a software team when the mechanical behavior and the control code have to be developed at the same time?

What they are checking: Cross-discipline development, which the posting makes a stated partnership.

An instrument works in prototyping and then fails intermittently in operations. Walk me through how you chase that down.

What they are checking: Diagnostic method on the intermittent failure this posting explicitly lists.

Scientists will use what you build. How do you find out what they actually need when what they ask for is usually a solution rather than a problem?

What they are checking: Requirements gathering from internal researchers.

About the work

This team builds instrumentation for peptide discovery in Madison. Walk me through a mechanical design you took from concept to a working instrument. What was the hardest subsystem?

What they are checking: Real instrument development experience rather than component design.

Tell me about a tolerance stack-up that bit you late in a build. How did you catch it, and what changed in how you work?

What they are checking: Precision design discipline learned from an actual failure.

How do you design for maintenance and cleaning on an instrument that handles chemistry?

What they are checking: Whether they design for the whole life of the instrument, not just first assembly.

What kind of analysis do you run before you commit to a design, and where do you decide analysis has diminishing returns?

What they are checking: Balance between modeling and building, which matters in a small instrumentation team.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

AbbVie's peptide discovery team in Madison, WI, is at the forefront of discovering novel molecules for therapeutic treatments. We are seeking a creative and driven Mechanical Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will collaborate with a dedicated group of R&D scientists, engineers, and software developers to maintain and advance our proprietary peptide array synthesizers. Your work will directly contribute to accelerating the discovery of new pharmaceuticals and making a significant impact on patient outcomes. As a key contributor, you will leverage your expertise in scientific, medical, or laboratory instrumentation to solve complex challenges. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of our instrumentation, from designing and modifying to integrating hardware components like sensors, actuators, pumps, and more to perform high-precision, coordinated activities. Responsibilities • Design, develop, integrate, and test instrumentation and its subcomponents such as pump manifolds, vision systems, high-precision stages, optomechanical assemblies, and sensors. • Lead the mechanical design and analysis throughout all project phases, working in close partnership with software and operations teams to ensure seamless integration and optimal functionality. • Diagnose and resolve instrumentation issues during prototyping, production, and operations to ensure proper performance and reliability. • Develop and oversee the testing of design concepts or computer models to validate the functionality of new and existing systems. • Acquire, integrate, and analyze system data to ensure the performance and reliability of hardware and subsystems. • Utilize 2D and 3D CAD systems (SolidWorks) to generate design concepts, layouts, assembly drawings, and technical documentation adhering to geometric tolerancing and revision control best practices. • Interact with suppliers to specify and select components, ensuring all materials and parts meet project requirements. • Contribute to a creative and fast-paced environment through open communication with all stakeholders, sharing ideas and solutions to enhance the performance of complex systems. • Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety, and appropriate handling of materials. Qualifications Required: • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent education and typically 10 years of experience, Master’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 8 years of experience, PhD or equivalent and no experience necessary • 2+ years of experience in developing instrumentation for laboratory, scientific, or medical applications. • Proficiency using SolidWorks (preferred) to create and maintain solid models, detailed drawings, and assemblies. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word). • Proficiency in Python or MATLAB programming languages. • Strong understanding of the fabrication processes for precision instrument hardware. • Thorough understanding of applied math, physics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot challenges in instrument development, deployment, and operation. Preferred: • Experience using Tecan, Hamilton, or similar commercial liquid handling robots. • Experience using National Instruments (LabVIEW) or Keyence data acquisition tools. • Experience in designing, assembling, and evaluating optomechanical subsystems. • Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling in COMSOL or similar analysis software. 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 short-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