Associate Principal Packaging Engineer

This position brings you to the forefront of implementing new standards and technologies, enhancing AstraZeneca's reputation as a leader in the field. Your role will involve coaching peers, leading development activities, and ensuring compliance with regulatory policies. Are you prepared to make a significant impact?Accountabilities:Own the design & development, and testing of all packaging presentations for medical devices and combination products to achieve project targets in a timely fashion. Accountable for developing innovative, creative, and cost-competitive packaging solutions that meet the needs and requirements of our patients, our sustainability objectives, and our quality standards. Proven practice in the design, development, and commercialization of primary blister packaging systems, including blister pack design, packaging process development, DoE studies, blister qualification, and establishment of robust commercial blister packaging processes. Experience independently developing and implementing blister packaging testing protocols, defining critical packaging quality attributes, and evaluating packaging performance to support development, qualification, validation, and regulatory requirements. Experience managing external packaging material suppliers and process suppliers to support packaging development, qualification, technical transfer, and commercialization activities. Generate and review regulatory submission documents, plans, protocols, and reports ensuring that the project objectives are met (Design History File documentation). Contribute and support relevant information to the Design transfer team to enable successful packaging transfer to AZ manufacturing operations and/or contract manufacturing sites. Ensure that work is performed in accordance with appropriate safety, health, environmental(SHE), quality, and compliance standards. Influence understanding and interpretation of packaging regulations. Represent specialist packaging area (SME) on Device Project Teams, ensuring the provision of appropriate data (technical, resource & budgetary). Understand and Influence developments within the industry. Contribute to the training and development of packaging colleagues by acting as coach/mentor when appropriate. Minimum Qualifications: BSc/PhD level education in a relevant Engineering field (Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering), or in Pharmaceutical Sciences with related experience in the device and biopharmaceutical industry. Minimum 7 years experience. Knowledge and application of cGMP requirements, Device and Combination Product requirements, in major pharmaceutical markets (USA, Europe). Strong technical and scientific skills with proven experience in the development of packaging solutions for parenteral and/or Inhalation products. Strong experience with medical device or combination product commercialization, operations support, and significant packaging materials/components knowledge. Experience in primary blister packaging development and commercialization, including blister pack design, DoE studies, blister qualification, packaging testing, and management of external material and process suppliers. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification with strong problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to simultaneously balance multiple projects of variable complexity. Strong operational relationships with customers. Experience of leading cross-disciplinary delivery teams. Join the team where everyone feels a personal connection to the people that we impact. From our science labs to manufacturing at scale, we are committed to delivering at the highest quality. It’s inspiring and gratifying work, influencing every part of the product lifecycle to deliver life-changing medicines. To ultimately make people’s lives better – from patients and their families to all of us in society.Date Posted24-Jul-2026Closing Date06-Aug-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.SummaryLocation: US - Durham - NCType: Full time