How Do I Get a Job as a Pharmaceutical Engineer?

The most straightforward path to become a pharmaceutical engineer is to earn a bachelor's degree in chemical or mechanical engineering, followed by a master's degree in pharmacology.

Many of the largest companies hire directly from university programs, and being recruited is sometimes as simple as scheduling an interview and making a good impression. However, some general research into the industry might help you locate a good fit and make the appropriate impression. Typically, there are numerous branches that cover everything from research & development to production, management, and even sales. Choosing the correct path for you may necessitate some experimenting and networking.

Most of the time, once hired, you'll need to obtain a "certificate of competency" in order to work. This credential is typically provided by the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) and is generally valid globally; while it will not guarantee you a job, it may help set you apart as a candidate if obtained while still in the job search process.

Understanding the Job Generally

Pharmaceutical engineers work in research facilities and manufacturing plants that produce drugs. They can have a number of different responsibilities, but in most cases it’s their job to work out the chemical components of safe medication manufacturing while also considering things like workplace implications and safe handling. To do this job well, you’ll typically need a science background so that you can understand the process from a biological perspective but also the analytical acumen to organize and orchestrate the larger framework of production and manufacturing. Experienced pharmaceutical engineers are able to work in a variety of fields, but no matter where in the discipline you’ll end up you’ll need a lot of expertise. Education, then, is usually one of the most — if not the singular most — important component of success.

Educational Background

Enrolling in an engineering program at a college or university is a good first step. While undergraduate education in anything related to the science will typically work, employers often give more consideration to candidates who have a background in chemical or mechanical engineering. Once you have completed a bachelor's degree, you may increase your chances of getting a job by going on to earn a master's degree in something more specific, ideally pharmaceutical engineering. Candidates with a master's degree in pharmaceutical engineering may have a better chance at landing interviews with potential employers.

Consider a Graduate Degree

Master's programs typically accept students who have an outstanding undergraduate record. Usually, a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in chemical or mechanical engineering is required, along with high scores on admissions tests, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in the US. Students graduating from other science majors may also be considered if they complete the standard pre-requisite courses required for the pharmaceutical engineering program. These courses cover topics such as differential equations; business math and statistics; thermodynamics; chemical kinetics; and heat transfer and mass transfer.

The Master of Science program in pharmaceutical engineering provides in-depth training for those who want to become a pharmaceutical engineer, and is usually considered essential for anyone who hopes to do more than simple entry-level work. Some areas of study include pharmaceutical processing and manufacturing; validation and regulation; reaction engineering; drug metabolism, delivery and discovery; and instrumental analysis.

Choosing Your Track

Master's programs generally have two tracks: drug substance manufacturing and drug product manufacturing. The substance manufacturing track focuses on the chemical reactions and separation processes used to manufacture the active ingredients of a drug. The drug manufacturing track, by contrast, focuses on the processes required to produce the final drug. The requirements can vary from place to place, but in general you’ll need to successfully complete at least 30 credit hours to graduate, and a high cumulative GPA is often needed to get the attention of hiring managers.

Earn a Certificate of Competency

A certification of competency from the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) is another tool that may help improve your chances of getting a job offer. The ISPE awards the Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional (CPIP) certification to individuals who demonstrate technical knowledge, leadership skills, professionalism, innovation and vision. All these characteristics are necessary to become a pharmaceutical engineer.

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