MSAT S&D Principal Scientist (Advanced Manufacturing)

Location: Geel, Antwerp, Belgium; additional job posting locations include Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium. The role requires approximately 35% travel, including intercontinental and local/regional travel.

Base pay: €79,800–€137,770 per year.

Company

Johnson & Johnson MedTech develops healthcare innovations and solutions across Innovative Medicine and MedTech.

What you will do

• Define and implement global deployment strategies for advanced manufacturing technologies across the synthetic drug substance network.
• Lead multi-site deployment of process intensification, PAT, real-time release testing, advanced process control, digital manufacturing, modeling, and data-driven solutions.
• Partner with MSAT, Supply Chain, JJT, Development, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and site leadership on technology transfer, scale-up, commercialization, and lifecycle implementation.
• Develop business cases, value propositions, performance metrics, and value realization frameworks for manufacturing modernization initiatives.
• Provide scientific leadership for complex commercial manufacturing challenges and guide technical decisions.
• Represent MSAT in governance forums, support regulatory filings and inspections, and develop technical standards and deployment documentation.

Requirements

• MS or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Data Science, or a related scientific discipline.
• 10–15 years of experience in pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, MSAT, process engineering, or related technical functions.
• Experience leading global deployment of complex manufacturing technologies, including commercialization, technology transfer, process validation, and lifecycle management.
• Expertise in one or more areas including advanced manufacturing, PAT, RTRt, APC, digital manufacturing, data architecture, AI/ML applications, digital twins, process modeling, or technology transfer.
• Strong strategic thinking, scientific problem-solving, project and portfolio management, technical communication, change management, and stakeholder influence skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Dutch required.

Nice to have

• Experience supporting global synthetic drug substance manufacturing networks.
• Ability to bridge science, quality, technology, digital capabilities, and business strategy.
• Contributions to publications, patents, industry consortia, or thought leadership.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive work environment focused on diversity, dignity, and individual merit.
• Annual bonus with a target based on pay grade and location.
• Vacation, parental leave of at least 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, and volunteer leave.
• Well-being reimbursement and financial, physical, and mental health programs.
• Insurance plans and service anniversary and recognition awards, subject to applicable plan terms.