Principal Research Scientist II

About the role

AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and delivering innovative medicines and solutions that help address serious health needs. We are seeking a Device Technical Lead to join the Injection Device Development group within Operations who will provide technical leadership for the development, evaluation, and lifecycle management of devices and combination products. In this role, you will serve as a key technical expert and cross-functional partner, helping drive robust design, regulatory readiness, and successful delivery of new or improved products.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute technical strategy aligned with functional goals and program priorities.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with key stakeholders in operations, R&D, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, procurement, and device engineering.
• Provide expertise in device design, combination product development, design controls, verification and validation, risk management, and human factors.
• Ensure strong technical planning, early risk assessment, and effective mitigation strategies for major project outcomes.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, standards, and regulatory trends and translate insights into action.
• Drive innovation through improved tools, methods, and technologies that enhance performance, usability, manufacturability, and patient safety.
• Mentor and influence technical colleagues and project teams.
• Present technical concepts, study results, and recommendations to varied audiences.
• Contribute to technical decisions by assessing feasibility, risks, tradeoffs, and impacts to deliverables.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external collaborators to support successful development and launch.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 16 years of experience; Master's degree or PhD with commensurate experience strongly preferred.
• Experience leading device or combination product development in a regulated environment.
• Knowledge of design controls (e.g. 21 CFR 820 / ISO 13485 (Design Controls), risk management, verification and validation, human factors, and product development lifecycle.
• Strong ability to turn technical strategy into executable plans.
• Demonstrated success with product launches, improvements, or technology implementation.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience mentoring others and influencing without direct authority.
• Working knowledge of regulatory expectations and industry standards.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions even when inputs appear ambiguous.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.