Principal Engineer, Packaging - Tech Services

Job Title: Principal Engineer, Packaging – Tech Services

Location: Columbus, OH

Job Type: Full time

Req ID: 8920

About Us:

As a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of essential medicines, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. and its affiliates’ purpose is to put better health within reach, every day for millions of patients around the world.  We are a trusted, reliable partner and dependable source of over 760 high-quality generic, specialty and branded pharmaceutical products that hospitals, physicians and pharmacists need to treat their patients across North America, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.  Through our global footprint of 30+ manufacturing plants, 8+ R&D centers, and 9,000+ empowered employees, we are committed to making high-quality medicines accessible to the people who need them.

Key Responsibilities:

Demonstrate influence, leadership, and influential teamwork skills with development partners/customers during the packaging development and registration of site transfers and new product NDAs and ANDAs, ensuring that all project timelines are met.   

• Provide packaging engineering expertise , i.e. critical review, assessment, influence and strategy,  for responsible projects assigned within Organic Launch, Business Development, Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO), Alternate API, and targeted dormant products.


• Create all associated master data for assigned projects.


• Create all associated structure technical data for assigned projects.


• Create all specifications required for the container/closure systems for assigned projects.


• Create all associated aggregation/serialization requirements for assigned projects.


• Attend all required team meetings to support assigned projects and ensure to achieve key milestone datas.


• Perform all necessary line trials, including all necessary documentation such as protocols/reports/PO’s, to support proper evaluation of form, fit, function of proposed container closure systems.


• Support all regulatory audits as required.


• Generate all required regulatory submission documents for assigned projects and provide support in generating responses to regulatory authorities.


• Support other Technical Service Packaging Engineers with peer review; as well as, provide appropriate mentoring.


• Influence and Collaborate with Purchasing to source new packaging components, if needed.


• Interact with outside vendors to design new packaging components.


• Influence and Liaise with Change Management to support packaging component changes. 


• Meet cGMP, FDA, DEA, OSHA and other applicable regulatory and company guidelines.


• Influence and Liaise with Flow Packaging group to ensure consultation of launch projects for efficient transfer of applicable projects for life cycle transfer.


• Drive continuous improvement activities for launched products through initial commercial production phase, until transfer of launched products to lifecycle support with Operations. 

Qualifications:

We value the skills and experiences candidates bring to the table.  While we have listed some qualifications below, we encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet all of them:

• B.S. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline plus a minimum of 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical technology transfer, quality assurance, product development, packaging, or applicable pharmaceutical experience, or seven years of experience in product development, technology transfer, and/or packaging engineering in another technical field.


• Alternatively, a M.S. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline plus a minimum of 13 years of experience in pharmaceutical technology transfer, quality assurance, product development, packaging, or applicable pharmaceutical experience, or five years of experience in product development, technology transfer, and/or packaging engineering in another technical field.


• Alternatively, a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline plus a minimum of 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical technology transfer, quality assurance, product development, packaging or applicable pharmaceutical experience, or two years of experience in product development, technology transfer, and/or packaging engineering in another technical field.  (Internship or co-op programs may qualify for work experience for those with Ph.D. degrees.) 


• Demonstrated ability to perform at expectations for the following Hikma competencies:  Collaboration & Teamwork, Communication & Influence, Customer Focus, Planning & Organization, Taking Initiative & Drive For Results.


• Expert knowledge and understanding of applicable laws and regulations regarding development and packaging of pharmaceuticals, including cGMP, DEA, and FDA guidances.


• Demonstrated technical knowledge of pharmaceutical packaging environment  and equipment with emphasis on scale-up/ optimization and validation for various dosage forms (e.g. modified/extended release, nasal suspensions, soft gels, bead/pellet coated products, film coated products, and/or novel delivery systems).


• Experimental Methodology: Subject Matter Expertise in experimental methodology and ability to design complex experiments to support pharmaceutical packaging development.  Proficiency in the use of statistical software for experimental design and analysis is preferred but not required.


• Critical Thinking/Complex Problem solving: Ability to apply the PDCA principles (plan, do, check, act) and develop solutions for a variety of problems.


• Computer Skills: Expert computer skills with the ability to enter data into and retrieve information from various software programs such as Microsoft Office (Work, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and SAP.


• Mentoring / Coaching: Strong ability to coach and/or mentor both in and out of reporting structure (e.g. mentoring junior Process Engineers, providing guidance to production Coaches and Technicians regarding optimization opportunities).

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 10+ years commercial molding experience


• Experience with systems such as SAP, TrackWise, Veeva or a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). 

What We Offer*:

• Annual performance bonus, commission, and share potential


• Auto enrollment in a Hikma-sponsored 401(k) program at a pre-tax contribution rate of 3% of eligible pay.  Hikma will match 100% of the first 6% of eligible pay that you contribute


• A generous paid time off (PTO) bank starting with 20 days (prorated based on hire date).  Additional days granted upon reaching work milestone anniversaries


• 3 personal days (prorated based on hire date)


• 11 company paid holidays


• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, mental health, disability, life insurance, prescription drug coverage, and a variety of voluntary benefits


• Employee discount program


• Wellbeing rewards program


• Safety and Quality is a top organizational priority


• Career advancement and growth opportunities


• Tuition reimbursement


• Paid maternity and parental leave

*Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and depend on the job classification, role, and length of employment.  Benefits are subject to change as well as specific plan or program terms.

Recruiters:

Please note that Hikma has a set roster of approved recruiters for specific roles agreed to in advance and does not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies regarding open positions.  In the absence of a signed agreement and approval from Hikma’s Human Resources department to submit resumes for a specific position, Hikma will not approve, nor will be under an obligation to make, any payment to such non-approved third-parties in the event a candidate they refer is hired by Hikma.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.