AbbVie’s API Pilot Plant in North Chicago, IL is seeking a project engineer to provide capital project management and technical support to the pilot plant and laboratories within AbbVie’s Synthetic Molecule CMC organization.  The API Pilot Plant supports the pharmaceutical pipeline through process development and manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for pre-clinical toxicology studies, clinical trials, formulation development, and registration runs.

This function will primarily lead the planning and execution of small to medium sized capital projects related to process equipment, facilities, and utilities for the API Pilot Plant.  In addition, this role will support AbbVie’s R&D pipeline by providing day-to-day technical support of the plant and collaborating with process engineers, chemists, and operations technicians on the introduction of new processes and plant improvements.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Plans and conducts small to medium sized capital projects within an engineering specialty and through all aspects of the project life cycle including scope development, cost estimating, execution planning, preparation of requests for capital expenditure, design, procurement, construction, cost/schedule control, commissioning, qualification, operator training, startup, and financial closeout.
• Responsible for the successful completion of projects within the stated parameters of scope, cost, and schedule with the assurance that all functional, regulatory, end-user, and good engineering practice requirements are met.
• Monitors project progress to plan and implement corrective actions or contingencies as needed to maintain commitments. Provides management with regular project status updates and variances to plan.
• Leads the design of process equipment, facilities, and utilities by applying standard engineering theories, concepts, and techniques.  Leads the procurement and installation of process equipment through development of equipment specifications and participation in FATs and SATs.
• Supports the commissioning and qualification of equipment, facilities and utilities including development of user/system/functional requirement specifications and execution of installation and operational qualification protocols.
• Provides technical support for the pilot plant including troubleshooting of equipment problems, performing root cause analysis, and identifying corrective actions.
• Support AbbVie’s quality policies through engineering support of investigations and implementation of corrective actions.
• Assist AbbVie in achieving environmental, health, safety, and energy (EHS&E) goals by working safely, participating in Process Hazard Analysis and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), complying with process safety management of change procedures, and observing all corporate and department safety policies.