Principal Engineer
About the role
Vantive is a vital organ therapy company dedicated to extending lives and expanding possibilities for patients and care teams. This role is part of the Drug Products – Americas R&D Team, focusing on container material performance and plastic-related processes for container systems.
Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Strategy: Lead technical workstreams involving container systems and polymer-based materials, ensuring delivery of scope, timelines, and technical quality. Define and manage technical strategy, risks, and mitigation plans related to both material performance and associated processes.
Subject Matter Expert (SME): Serve as a subject matter expert in polymer materials and plastic processing for container applications. Lead evaluation and selection of container materials based on structure-property relationships and application requirements. Drive material qualification and change assessments across lifecycle phases.
Container Material Performance Evaluation: Design and interpret material characterization studies, including mechanical, thermal, chemical, and functional performance. Translate material properties into container process design considerations and performance outcomes. Identify and mitigate process-related risks, including variability, scalability, and manufacturability challenges.
Container Process & Manufacturing Expertise: Lead and support development and optimization of plastic-related manufacturing processes (e.g., extrusion, molding, subassembly, bag making as applicable). Collaborate with Manufacturing and suppliers on process validation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
Technical Excellence & Mentorship: Mentor and guide engineers in container material science and container process-related problem solving. Drive use of analytical tools and data-driven decision making. Contribute to strengthening team capabilities in container materials and container process engineering.
Collaboration, Influence & Talent Development: Collaborate effectively across global, cross-functional, and multicultural teams. Maintain clear, effective communication with stakeholders at all levels. Mentor, coach, and develop engineers, strengthening technical depth, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities within the team. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance technical culture.
Requirements
PhD (preferred) or Master’s degree (required) in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
Minimum 7+ years of industrial experience in polymer materials, container closure systems, or related fields.
Expertise in plastic processing and manufacturing (molding, extrusion, welding etc) processes.
Container systems for pharmaceutical or medical applications.
Deep expertise in polymeric materials for medical and pharmaceutical applications, including container and drug/device combinations.
Strong knowledge of container material qualification, product development, and lifecycle management for pharmaceutical packaging or disposables.
Expertise in design control documentation, including Design History Files.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and process optimization, preferably for parenteral or combination products.
Proven experience in technical risk assessment, mitigation, and execution.
Strong analytical skills, including familiarity with statistical methods and Six Sigma tools.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and business decisions at all organizational levels.
Qualifications
10% travel as needed.
Skills
Technical leadership and strategy.
Material science expertise and process engineering knowledge.
Container material performance evaluation.
Container process and manufacturing expertise.
Technical excellence and mentorship.
Collaboration, influence, and talent development.
Benefits
Vantive offers a competitive compensation package, including a minimum of 3 days a week onsite, and comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, insurance for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Aon Pooled Employer Plan (“Aon PEP”), Vantive’s 401(k) retirement savings plan, and other perks like commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Vantive is committed to supporting the need for flexibility in the workplace and promoting equal opportunities for all employees.