Senior Engineer Process Development
PFIZER
ROLE SUMMARY
We are seeking a chemical engineer with strong knowledge in heterogeneous catalysis as well as heat and
mass transfer to join Chemical Research and Development (CRD) in Groton. The successful candidate will
play a leading role in the development of our heterogeneous catalytic flow reactor platform. They will
collaborate and partner with others to help us establish a suite of continuous technologies with proven
application to enhance speed, quality and flexibility in API development and manufacturing from early
candidate selection through to commercial application.
CRD, as part of Worldwide R&D in Pharmaceutical Sciences, is responsible for the development of process
technology for the production of API. CRD scientists engage in all facets of development from small scale
synthesis in support of medicinal chemistry programs, to the development of the commercial synthetic route.
CRD scientists partner with manufacturing specialists for API synthesis in kilo-lab and pilot plant facilities, as
well as provide support for technology transfer to Pfizer manufacturing sites and third-party facilities.
The successful candidate will join the Technology API group as a laboratory-based experimentalist. They will
provide chemical engineering expertise for the development of continuous API platforms, workflows and
processes. They will partner with chemists, analysts, mechanical engineers and chemical engineers from
across Pfizer R&D and manufacturing organizations to assess existing continuous API platforms and design
novel continuous API platforms for selected unit operations. They will prototype continuous API platforms
through laboratory and plant application and progress successful platforms to modular and industry
standardized units for manufacturing implementation. They will support the development of platforms and
workflows to enable the delivery of integrated continuous unit operations for API development and
manufacture, ensuring strong partnership with experts in PAT, automation and control. The ability to work on
multi-disciplinary teams involving chemists, analysts, engineers, and technologists, and to represent CRD on
cross-functional teams is essential.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Utilize strong knowledge of heat and mass transfer to develop a heterogeneous catalytic flow reactor platform
and workflow.
Connect, co-operate and partner with chemists, analysts, mechanical engineers and chemical engineers from
across Pfizer R&D and manufacturing organizations to assess existing continuous API platforms and design
novel continuous API platforms for selected unit operations.
Prototype continuous API platforms in the laboratory and Kilo Laboratory in Groton and enable for Pilot Plant
and commercial manufacturing through the development of modular and industry standardized units.
Apply chemical engineering principles and models (reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer,
and mixing effects) to efficiently evaluate and develop scalable and robust processes for the manufacture of
API using continuous technologies.
Develop and apply new and existing continuous process technologies to enable development and support
transfer of safe and scalable processes to API manufacturing facilities.
Partner with experts in process analytical technology, automation and control to enable the delivery of
integrated continuous unit operations for API development and manufacture.
Working in a modern automated laboratory, performs laboratory experiments to develop process
understanding using a One Factor at a Time (OFAT) and/or a Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology as
[Link] experiments to understand reaction mechanisms and kinetics, stability, solvent
exchange, etc.
Support technology transfer of API processes to internal Pfizer API manufacturing facilities and external
suppliers. Serves as a key point of accountability for new product site registration and validation [Link]
spend significant time at the PGS launch site supporting process validation and Pre-Approval Inspection (PAI)
[Link] chemical engineering skills and specific process knowledge to understand and resolve scale-
up issues during transfer.
Contributes to the preparation of the CMC section of the [Link] in data verification, PAI
preparedness, and post submission query response,
Champions the development of novel laboratory development instrumentation and software modeling tools to
improve process [Link] the development and implementation of new and existing workflows and
methodologies.
Remains current with the process engineering and chemistry [Link] and prepares internal
research reports and technical [Link] collaborate and author external publications and present
research at external conferences.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
BS/MS Chemical Engineering with a minimum of 5 years relevant chemical or pharmaceutical continuous
platform and process development experience or PhD in Chemical Engineering.
A good understanding of the principles of heat and mass transfer in two and three phase heterogeneous
catalysis.A good understanding of organic chemistry and chemical engineering principles.A good
understanding of fundamental principles of continuous processing from a laboratory and manufacturing
[Link] with in-situ analytical tools (e.g FTIR, FBRM, and UV/Vis) and common analytical
chemistry instrumentation including UPLC, HPLC, and MS.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
For a BS or MS chemist, the following experience is preferred; developing, scaling and transferring
heterogeneous flow technologies; working in a fine chemical or API manufacturing facility with a good
knowledge of continuous unit operations, and developing and applying modelling tools.
Working knowledge of catalyst surface analysis techniques. A working knowledge of reaction modeling,
material property prediction, and simulation using computational tools including: DynoChem, gPROMS,
Visimix, Aspen, Fluent, and Cosmotherm.
Working knowledge of application of in-situ analysis tools to process understanding including: FTIR, FBRM,
and UV/Vis. Working knowledge of UPLC, MS, and NMR spectroscopy. Experience with tools such as
MatLab or Labview and development of automation platforms.
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
Will be required to occasionally travel internationally (0-10%) to support technology development and/or clinical
manufacturing activities as well as technology transfer to commercial manufacturing.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state
transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide
government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of
payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory
or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed
physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known
as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of
interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made
currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not
hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job
applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender
expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state
and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment
eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify
employer.