Senior Principal Scientist, Large Molecule Drug Product Scientific Integrator

Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson · Pharma · Malvern, PA +1

Senior Principal Scientist role focused on end-to-end scientific integration for late-stage large-molecule drug product programs within the pharmaceutical industry. Responsibilities include leading cross-functional teams, defining drug product strategy, authoring regulatory submissions, and supporting manufacturing. Requires significant experience in biopharmaceutical development and CMC regulatory strategy.

What you'd actually do

  1. Acting as the primary Drug Product scientific lead for assigned late‑stage large‑molecule programs, owning the integrated drug product strategy from registration through lifecycle management.
  2. Leading cross‑functional drug product sub‑teams and representing drug product on global CMC teams.
  3. Aligning formulation, manufacturing process, analytical strategy, delivery system, quality, regulatory, and supply considerations into a cohesive and executable plan.
  4. Defining and maintaining drug product CMC strategy, including control strategy, critical quality attributes, comparability, and post‑approval change planning.
  5. Authoring, reviewing, and approving drug product sections of global regulatory submissions, including BLA/MAA and post‑approval filings.

Skills

Required

  • PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field with 6+ years of experience in biopharmaceutical development OR Master’s degree with 10+ years of experience
  • Significant years of experience in large‑molecule drug product development, ranging from late‑stage, registration, and/or commercial program experience.
  • Proven experience leading Drug Product strategy on global CMC teams for parenteral biologics (liquid and/or lyophilized).
  • Strong background in CMC regulatory strategy, including authoring and reviewing IND/IMPD, BLA/MAA, sBLA, and post‑approval submissions.
  • Demonstrated expertise in control strategy development, criticality assessments, comparability, and lifecycle management.
  • Experience partnering with manufacturing sites to support technology transfer, process validation, investigations, and inspections.
  • Ability to influence, align, and lead through matrix teams across functions and regions.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong scientific judgment and decision‑making capability.

Nice to have

  • Experience as primary Drug Product lead for at least one registered or launched biologic.
  • Direct involvement in Health Authority interactions, written responses, and inspection support.
  • Experience with post‑approval change management and lifecycle optimization.
  • Familiarity with complex delivery systems, low‑dose products, or challenging administration scenarios.
  • Track record of mentoring scientists and building cross‑program scientific capabilities.

What the JD emphasized

  • end‑to‑end scientific integration
  • single‑point accountability for Drug Product strategy
  • right‑first‑time registration
  • launch readiness
  • lifecycle success
  • late‑stage (Phase2/3, registration, launch, and lifecycle) large‑molecule drug product programs
  • CMC regulatory strategy
  • authoring and reviewing IND/IMPD, BLA/MAA, sBLA, and post‑approval submissions
  • control strategy development
  • criticality assessments
  • comparability
  • lifecycle management