R&D System Project Engineer

Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences

  • North Chicago, IL
  • 14 days ago

    Highlights

    Position Summary: As a Systems Engineer with a primary focus on Use-Related Risk Analysis (URRA), you will be responsible for coordinating and driving the successful completion of use-related risk analyses for drug products and associated delivery systems — including on-body devices, pre-filled syringes, autoinjectors, mixing devices, and complex electromechanical pumps. You will integrate inputs and risks from multiple disciplines to ensure robust, patient-centric product design and performance, while partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders across human factors, quality, clinical, medical safety, development, and manufacturing teams.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationNorth Chicago, IL

    Description

    Position Summary:
    • As a Systems Engineer with a primary focus on Use-Related Risk Analysis (URRA), you will be responsible for coordinating and driving the successful completion of use-related risk analyses for drug products and associated delivery systems — including on-body devices, pre-filled syringes, autoinjectors, mixing devices, and complex electromechanical pumps.
    • You will integrate inputs and risks from multiple disciplines to ensure robust, patient-centric product design and performance, while partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders across human factors, quality, clinical, medical safety, development, and manufacturing teams.
    • Working alongside a global team of scientists, engineers, and leaders, your expertise and leadership will ensure that all systems are safe, effective, and aligned with applicable internal procedures, regulatory expectations, and quality standards — for both clinical and commercial development programs.

    Roles and Responsibilities:

    • Lead planning and coordination of creating use-related risk analysis activities across all assigned programs.
    • Facilitate cross-functional meetings to drive development of use-related risk analyses, ensuring team members provide timely inputs for which they are responsible.
    • Partner with functional experts — including human factors, quality, clinical, medical safety, development, and manufacturing — to support accurate documentation of hazards, use scenarios, failure modes (i.e., use errors), risks, and mitigations.
    • Monitor progress against milestones and proactively escalate risks, delays, and unresolved issues to appropriate stakeholders.
    • Support team development and review of URRA documentation to ensure delivery of inspection-ready records to the URRA owner.
    • Drive consistency in URRA process execution and continuously identify opportunities for process improvement.
    • In support of the broader systems engineering framework, you will support the following activities and deliverables:
    • System Architecture & Integration
    • User and Stakeholder Needs Definition
    • Use Case Analysis
    • Standards Coverage Analysis
    • Product Requirements Definition
    • Traceability
    • Risk Management planning and reporting
    • System Risk Assessment
    • Use-Related Risk Assessments, Design FMEAs, and Process FMEAs
    • Change Management
    • Oversight and integration of Third-Party Development activities
    • Integration of Design Control and Quality by Design (QbD) activities

    Experience:

    • Demonstrated ability to resolve key project hurdles and assumptions by effectively utilizing available information and technical expertise.
    • Expertise in end-to-end product development from initial concept through market release, with direct experience in combination product or medical device development; familiarity with FDA 21 CFR Part 820.30, 21 CFR Part 4, ISO 14971, ISO 13485, and EU MDR preferred.
    • Expertise in Systems Engineering principles including user and stakeholder need definition, requirements definition, risk management, product architecture, configuration management, traceability, and change management.
    • Expertise in DHF management and creating various Design Control documents in compliance with applicable regulations.
    • Working knowledge of use-related risk analysis, human factors, and risk management methodologies.
    • Strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills with the ability to influence across a matrixed organization and manage competing priorities.
    • Strong analytical and decision-making skills; self-driven and proactive in approach.
    • Experience creating and managing project schedules and identifying project risks and mitigation plans.
    • Proficiency with project tracking and document management tools.
    • Experience interfacing with third-party vendors, including communication management, deliverable acceptance testing, and multi-cultural awareness.

    Education & Experience:

    • BS in Engineering, Science, or a closely related discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience; or MS with 3+ years of experience.
    • 3-5 years of experience specifically in pharmaceutical, medical device, combination product, or other regulated industry environments preferred.
    • Demonstrated scientific writing skills and strong verbal communication skills.
    • Ability to multitask effectively and deliver results within established timelines.
    • Experience supporting drug product and delivery system development.
    • Familiarity with relevant human factors and risk management regulatory expectations.
    • Ability to synthesize complex technical input into clear, actionable plans and documentation.
    • Demonstrated proactive, collaborative approach in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment.
    • Experience in vendor communication, management, and deliverable acceptance testing.

     

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