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Transformation Project Qualification Lead- API

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Engineering

Posted Aug 26, 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

You'd be accountable to the project lead while leading sub-teams. How do you escalate a problem that will move the project date?

What they are checking: Whether they raise date-moving problems early and honestly with options, rather than hoping to recover quietly and surprising the project lead later.

How do you keep qualification from becoming paperwork that nobody reads?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real view on risk-based qualification that focuses effort where it matters, rather than producing volume nobody uses or trusts.

What would you do

Qualification usually sits at the end of a project and absorbs every earlier delay. How do you protect it?

What they are checking: Whether they involve qualification early in design and planning, because waiting until the end lets every earlier delay squeeze the most critical testing.

A qualification run fails. Walk me through what happens next.

What they are checking: Whether they handle a failed run through formal deviation, investigation and impact assessment, without cutting corners because the schedule is under pressure.

This is one of five transformation roles posted at once on the same capital project — project manager, engineering lead, automation lead, senior process engineer and this one. Why the qualification seat?

What they are checking: Whether they have a clear reason for choosing qualification among related roles, which shows they understand and want this specific work.

About the work

This role leads the equipment and automation qualification sub-teams on a strategic capital project for active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing. What qualification work have you led?

What they are checking: Whether they have led equipment and automation qualification work themselves, since this role directs both sub-teams on a large pharmaceutical capital project.

Walk me through the qualification sequence for a new piece of process equipment.

What they are checking: Whether they know the sequence from requirements through installation, operational and performance qualification, and why each stage depends on the one before.

What is the difference between qualifying equipment and validating a process, and where do they meet?

What they are checking: Whether they can clearly separate equipment qualification from process validation and explain how one supports the other, since regulators expect that distinction held.

You'd lead the automation qualification alongside the equipment side. What is different about qualifying a control system?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that control system qualification adds software, data integrity and configuration concerns that physical equipment checks do not cover.

How do you write a protocol that will pass an inspection years later?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear protocols with traceable acceptance criteria, since inspectors may review this work years later when the original team has moved on.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

The Operations Transformation organization's mission is to accelerate future-ready Operations through purposeful transformation and drive excellence through new technology and enhanced cross-functional collaboration. The Strategic Capital Deployment team leads AbbVie Operations' long-term strategic investments and investment roadmaps, while executing large-scale capital projects through optimized delivery, technology adoption, and cross-functional collaboration. The Transformation Project Qualification Lead will lead the project EFU and Automation Qualification sub-teams on a Strategic Capital Project. They are accountable to the Project Director and will be responsible for driving the schedule, execution, risk management, and reporting for the teams. An engineering professional that works with project owners, subject designers/engineers and other project team members to plan, and complete tasks associated with commissioning, qualification and validation of new and modified equipment, facilities, utilities, product, processes etc.in line with project, operations and quality objectives. Level of responsibility and performance is commensurate with grade level. The main objective is to establish evaluation, testing and documentation for risk management, commissioning and validation applying product and regulatory requirements and risk management to result in robust, high quality products. This includes optimizing systems that support the work in and around this area of responsibility. Responsibilities • Work with end-user and project engineer to develop User Requirements Specifications and Functional / Design Specifications for new or modified equipment, facilities, and utilities. • Support Factory Acceptance Testing in conjunction with Project Engineer to confirm unit is acceptable. • Identify risk controls, critical elements and traceability of equipment design based on FMEA or other risk assessment. • Develop and execute commissioning, qualification and validation test protocols to ensure that the unit functions according to specifications. • Perform minor troubleshooting of issues encountered during commissioning and documentation of unresolved issues. • Able to support broader aspects of projects at times including: project leadership, developing operational procedures, support training of maintenance/technical staff/operators on new equipment, reviewing new or modified product documentation to ensure compatibility with qualified equipment and implementing changes in equipment parameters or recipes. • Leads Execution of Risk Management. including, periodic review and update per the Validation Master Plan, interface with best practices, establishing team's work practices including overall program, ccRA. Understands risk management principles. Can find and review documentation. Understands controls, impact of change, trace controls, and can estimate ratings using appropriate scale. Timely. Demonstrated success in FMEA authorization/facilitation. • Qualification as QRM facilitator commensurate with responsibility. • May supervise contract validation resources in the timely completion of activities in his/her area of responsibility • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, science, or closely related discipline is desired, or equivalent technical experience plus demonstrated competence, with a desired 3+ years of significant engineering and/or operational experience. • Experience in the development of commissioning, qualification, validation and risk management deliverables including specifications and testing protocols that can stand up to regulatory scrutiny. • 6+ years of overall experience in Manufacturing, Quality or Engineering including 4 major validation subjects (e.g. Computer, Equipment, Cleaning, Process, etc.) preferred • A technical background in health care, nutritional products, laboratory diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceutical, or similar industries (preferred). • Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills with demonstrated ability to work within a team environment. • Knowledge of quality / compliance management as well as regulations and standards affecting API, Bulk Drug or Finished goods manufacturing preferred • Ability to supervise junior or contract team members (prior supervisory experience preferred) • Ability to manage complex projects and multiple projects (5+) simultaneously 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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