Principal Scientist, Product Development

Company: Catalent Pharma Solutions
Location: San Diego
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

Principal Scientist, Product DevelopmentPosition Summary:Catalent, Inc. is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) whose mission is to develop, manufacture, and supply products that help people live better and healthier lives. Catalent is dedicated to delivering unparalleled service to pharma, biotech, and consumer health customers, supporting product development, launch, and full life-cycle supply. With time-tested experience in development sciences, delivery technologies, and multi-modality manufacturing, Catalent supports the acceleration of development programs and the launch of more than a hundred new products every year. Powered by thousands of scientists and technicians and the latest technology platforms at more than 40 global sites, Catalent supplies billions of doses of life-enhancing and life-saving treatments for patients annually.Catalent Pharma Solutions in San Diego is a premier pharmaceutical chemistry development and manufacturing organization supporting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. We focus on bringing client drug compounds from discovery to the clinic with services that include analytical development, pre-formulation testing, formulation development, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) manufacturing and stability storage and testing as well as Clinical Supply Services. At Catalent San Diego, we recruit and develop exceptional individuals with a passion for science and determination to excel. We offer a technically challenging and stimulating environment and the opportunity to learn from the best.Catalent Pharma Solutions is hiring a Principal Scientist for Product Development at our San Diego, CA site. An individual at the level of Principal Scientist, Product Development will lead projects as an individual or build a team focused on oral formulation development for small molecule or peptide drug products and amorphous intermediates. This individual may be required to have direct reports depending on growth and ability. The primary formulation platforms will include tablets, capsules, granules, beads, solutions, suspensions, immediate release and extended-release dosage forms, and amorphous intermediates. The individual will research and introduce new formulation technology to produce and characterize drug products and will be the primary point of customer contact for formulation strategy, compliance, and troubleshooting. All duties will be performed in compliance with company standard operating procedures (SOPs) and GMP regulations, as appropriate.This is a full-time position: Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm on-site with flexibility for periodic remote/hybrid work.Catalent is committed to a Patient First culture through excellence in quality and compliance, and to the safety of every patient, consumer, and Catalent employee.The Role:

• Creates and develops innovative drug formulations and has depth of experience in one or more of the techniques described above. Performs and trains others on a variety of formulation techniques including, but not necessarily limited to: blending, encapsulation, suspensions, solutions, wet/dry/fluid bed granulation, tablet compression, coating, milling, spray drying.
• Responsible for the successful transfer of formulation projects to the GMP manufacturing team and for collaboration with process engineering team during technology transfer. Responsible for transfer of projects to late stage or commercial manufacturing sites.
• Communicates results both internally and externally through oral and written updates and formal reports as necessary. Organize meetings and monitor all client interactions independently. Participate in and lead cross-functional teams. Performs secondary review of other colleagues' work for scientific accuracy and compliance. Creates and/or revises new department-wide and site-site procedures and company SOPs.
• Individuals will stay abreast of current scientific technologies to maintain the state-of-the-art nature of Catalent's services and will evaluate new technologies to expand our technical service offering. Individuals will proactively communicate strategy to clients and draft addendums to contracts and write and provide review of new proposals and change orders, as appropriate.
• Individuals will support the business aspects of their position by taking responsibility for the execution and billing communication for all work proposals under their supervision. Lead and train others on Continuous Improvement (CI) and innovation projects.
• Hire, train, and supervise formulation group members as necessary. Develop junior personnel for advancement within the team. Responsible for maintaining a GMP laboratory environment.
• Participate in business development and marketing activities by generating scientific expert content, hosting new client visits or teleconferences, and attending conferences or client visits to generate new leads.
• Other duties as assigned.The Candidate:
  • Bachelor's degree (B.S.) required plus a minimum of eight years of oral formulation development experience. We will also consider candidates who have a Master of Science (M.S.) with six years of experience, or PhD with four years of experience in oral formulation development.
  • Must have people-management experience (will immediately manage 2 people with the potential to manage a team of up to 6 in the future).
  • Must have oral formulation development experience (Tablets, capsules, granulation experience required. Preferred to have spray dried dispersion/amorphous dispersion experience).
  • Strong preference for early phase development (preclinical, phase 1, and phase 2 with new chemicals/small molecules), but will consider candidates with late stage or generics experience if they are a strong manager & communicator.
  • Experience in a client-facing role is a plus, but not a must-have (communication skills are critical for this role).
  • Demonstrable leadership experience at Catalent (including but not limited to participation in Catalent-sponsored leadership programs such as NGGL, GOLD, LEAD Now, GM Excellence, and GROW) may be considered in place of external experience.
  • Physical Requirements: On an average 8-hour day this position requires the ability to walk, sit and stand, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms at or above shoulder height and below waist height, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear, smell and lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision requirements including reading of written documents, visual inspection of materials and use of computer monitor screen frequently.Pay:
    • The anticipated salary range for this role in San Diego, CA is $145,000 - $170,000 annually. The final salary offered to a successful candidate may vary, and will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to: the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, skillset, education, business needs, etc. Catalent is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other states.Why you should join Catalent:
      • Awesome employee activities: Movie Day, Monthly Birthday Celebrations, Friday Bagel Breakfast, On-site Fitness Center with machines, on-site yoga and HIIT classes, Sponsored Sports Teams, and several other company-sponsored events that encourage positive employee camaraderie, which contributes to effectively building positive employee relationships, overall creating a positive work environment.
      • Environmentally friendly green initiatives with on-site practices as well as regularly participating in Beach Clean-up activities for community engagement.
      • Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process. Potential for career growth on an expanding team within an organization dedicated to preserving and bettering lives.
      • Several Employee Resource Groups focusing on Diversity and Inclusion.
      • Competitive salary with bonus potential. Generous 401K match and Paid Time Off accrual. Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment.
      • 152 hours of PTO + 10 paid holidays.
      • Positive and fast-paced working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative and dynamic.
      • Tuition Reimbursement - Let us help you finish your degree or earn a new one!
      • WellHub program to promote overall physical wellness.
      • Perkspot - offers exclusive or private discounts from approximately 900+ merchants in a wide array of categories.Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.Visit to explore career opportunities.Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.
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Keywords: Catalent Pharma Solutions, Calexico , Principal Scientist, Product Development, Other , San Diego, California