Senior Scientist - Chemical Engineer for API Manufacturing Process Development

Use Your Power for Purpose

At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Central to this mission is our Research and Development team, which strives to translate advanced science and cutting-edge technologies into impactful therapies and vaccines. Whether you are involved in discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy, or supporting clinical trials, your role is crucial. You will leverage innovative design and process development capabilities to accelerate the delivery of best-in-class medicines to patients globally.

What You Will Achieve

We are seeking a highly motivated chemical engineer for the role of Senior Scientist-Chemical Engineer to join our API Process Development team within Chemical Research and Development (CRD) in Groton, CT. You will join a diverse team responsible for developing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) processes for use at manufacturing plants across Pfizer’s network. Chemical engineering principles contribute to the successful development, optimization and scale up of API manufacturing processes. You will design and perform engineering-related laboratory experiments, integrating process modeling, statistics, and automation. Strong communication, high technical aptitude, and creativity to foster original ideas are required for success in this position.

 

CRD, as part of Pfizer R&D in Pharmaceutical Sciences, is responsible for the development of process technology to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). CRD scientists engage in all facets of development from small-scale synthesis in support of medicinal chemistry programs, to the development and optimization of the commercial API manufacturing process. In collaboration with chemists and analysts, you will lead the engineering activities during process development, process scale up, and technology transfer to our clinical and commercial manufacturing sites and external facilities. Given the dynamic team environment and fast-paced project timelines, strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential. This laboratory-based position offers the opportunity for cross-training and developing new technologies.

How You Will Achieve It

• Apply chemical engineering principles to design and perform laboratory experiments to develop and optimize API manufacturing unit operations.
• Assess scalability and robustness for API processes with understanding of large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, capabilities, and operations.
• Evaluate, develop, and apply new process technologies (batch, semi-batch, and continuous flow) to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable API processes.
• Lead technology transfer of processes to internal clinical and commercial API manufacturing sites and external partners. May spend time at the commercial launch site supporting process validation activities. 
• Apply process simulation and statistical tools to characterize the kinetic, thermodynamic, and transport phenomena impacting various unit operations, such as reaction, extraction, distillation, crystallization, filtration, and drying.
• Prepare internal research reports and technical presentations summarizing API process development activities to capture process knowledge and transfer process understanding to Pfizer’s commercial manufacturing. 
• Champion the development of new technology and digital tools to expedite new and existing workflows and capabilities.
• Remain current with the process engineering and chemistry literature. May collaborate on and author external publications and present research at external conferences.
• Contribute to the preparation of the Chemistry and Manufacturing Controls (CMC) section of the New Drug Application (NDA). Participate in data verification, Pre-Approval Inspection (PAI) preparedness, and post-submission query response.

Here Is What You Need (Minimum Requirements)

• BS with at least 9 years of experience or MS with at least 7 years of experience or PhD with 0+ years of experience in Chemical Engineering
• Candidates with additional years of work experience will be considered for an appropriate level for their background

• Expertise in reaction engineering, including experience developing and validating kinetic models from experimental data
• Excellent knowledge of chemistry and chemical engineering principles and sound understanding of chemical reactor design, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, engineering statistics, and process modeling
• Outstanding laboratory skills, attention to detail, and ability to solve technical problems
• Exceptional interpersonal, multi-disciplinary team collaboration, and communication skills

Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements)

• Working knowledge of reaction modeling, property prediction, and process simulation tools including: gPROMS, Aspen, DynoChem, VisiMix, and COSMOtherm
• Experience designing, developing, and scaling continuous processes (flow chemistry)
• A good foundational understanding of organic chemistry
• Working knowledge of crystallization development
• Working knowledge of Design of Experiment (DOE) studies and statistical analysis
• Working knowledge of analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, MS, PXRD, DSC, TGA, and NMR
• Working knowledge of application of in-situ analysis tools to process understanding including: FTIR, Raman, FBRM, UV/Vis
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) expertise in M-Star or Fluent
• Programing experience, including Python and/or Matlab
• Applied data science methods, such as machine learning and AI
• Experience in automating laboratory equipment and processes including use of LabView

 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work in a laboratory environment performing experiments in a laboratory fume hood.  Ability to perform complex data analysis

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Some international travel associated with technology transfer to clinical manufacturing plant and commercial new product launch site may be required. 

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

Last day to apply : Nov 20th 2026

 

 

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $93,600.00 to $156,000.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 12.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

 

 

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

 

 

Research and Development