As a Temporary R&D Engineer on Ro’s Product Development team, you will help design, optimize, validate, and document the processes required to bring new products from development through launch and into repeatable pharmacy operations.
You will work at the intersection of Product Development and Pharmacy Operations, partnering closely with Pharmacy, Pharmacy Compliance, Quality/Regulatory, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams to translate product requirements into scalable, reliable, and well-controlled compounding processes.
This role will have a strong focus on process development, scale-up, process optimization, and technical documentation. You will evaluate existing and proposed workflows, identify process risks and opportunities for improvement, develop standardized processes, and support pilot and production activities to ensure new products can be consistently and efficiently produced at the required quality standards.
As a temporary member of the team, you will be expected to ramp quickly, independently drive defined workstreams, and leave behind robust processes, documentation, and tools that enable teams to operate effectively after the engagement.
What You’ll Do:
Develop and optimize processes for new and existing products, translating product and formulation requirements into repeatable compounding workflows that can be successfully executed within pharmacy operations.
Lead process scale-up and technology transfer, partnering with Product Development and Pharmacy teams to transition products from lab or pilot development into production / compounding.
Map and assess current-state processes to identify bottlenecks, sources of variability, operational risks, and opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability.
Design future-state processes and establish appropriate process parameters, controls, equipment requirements, material flows, and operating procedures.
Plan and execute process trials, pilot runs, engineering batches, and first production runs to evaluate process performance and resolve technical issues prior to or during launch.
Analyze process performance and troubleshoot issues using data and structured problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and implement corrective or preventive improvements.
Develop and maintain technical documentation, including process maps, SOPs, work instructions, process specifications, batch documentation, equipment requirements, and other materials required to support reliable execution.
Identify critical process parameters and risks and partner with Quality, Compliance, and Pharmacy stakeholders to establish appropriate controls and acceptance criteria.
Evaluate equipment and compounding capabilities and recommend solutions that improve process reliability, throughput, ergonomics, quality, or scalability.
Support new product launches by developing process readiness plans, identifying dependencies and risks, and ensuring operational requirements are addressed before launch.
Partner cross-functionally with Product Development, Pharmacy Operations, Pharmacy Compliance, Quality/Regulatory, Supply Chain, and external partners to drive projects from development through implementation.
Manage multiple workstreams and timelines, proactively communicating risks, dependencies, decisions, and progress to key stakeholders.
Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to simplify workflows, reduce variability and waste, improve cycle time, and increase process capability.
Transfer knowledge to operational teams through clear documentation, training, and structured handoffs to ensure new or improved processes are sustainable.
Stay informed on relevant compounding, pharmacy, manufacturing, automation, and process-engineering technologies and capabilities.
Travel as needed to Ro pharmacy locations, suppliers, manufacturers, or other partners to support development, testing, scale-up, and implementation activities.
What You’ll Bring to the Team:
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field.
3+ years of experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, process development, technical operations, or a related role, preferably within pharmaceuticals, compounding, consumer health, medical devices, cosmetics, food, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
Hands-on experience developing and scaling processes, including pilot activities, production trials, process qualification, technology transfer, or new product introduction.
Strong process-engineering fundamentals, with experience defining process parameters, evaluating process capability, identifying sources of variability, and designing robust production workflows.
Experience with structured problem solving and continuous improvement, including root-cause analysis, process mapping, FMEA, Lean/Six Sigma, DOE, or similar methodologies.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to evaluate process performance, identify trends, and make recommendations.
Experience creating technical documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, process flows, specifications, protocols, and technical reports.
Excellent project and timeline management skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to translate technical information for cross-functional audiences and work effectively with both technical and operational teams.
A hands-on and detail-oriented approach, with a willingness to spend time observing and testing processes directly in pharmacy or production environments.
Experience working in a regulated environment and an understanding of the importance of process controls, documentation, quality systems, and compliance.
Knowledge of compounding pharmacy operations and guidelines is preferred, but not required.
Experience supporting automation, equipment selection, or process/equipment qualification is a plus.
We’ve Got You Covered:
Full medical, dental, and vision insurance + OneMedical membership
Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA
401(k) with company match
Flexible PTO
Wellbeing + Learning & Growth reimbursements
Paid parental leave + Fertility benefits
Pet insurance
Student loan refinancing
Virtual resources for mindfulness, counseling, and fitness
We welcome qualified candidates of all races, creeds, genders, and sexuality to apply.
The target base salary for this position ranges from $103,700 - $128,500, in addition to a competitive equity and benefits package (as applicable). When determining compensation, we analyze and carefully consider several factors, including location, job-related knowledge, skills and experience. These considerations may cause your compensation to vary.
Ro recognizes the power of in-person collaboration, while supporting the flexibility to work anywhere in the United States. For our Ro’ers in the tri-state (NY) area, you will join us at HQ on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For those outside of the tri-state area, you will be able to join in-person collaborations throughout the year (i.e., during team on-sites). At Ro, we believe that our diverse perspectives are our biggest strengths — and that embracing them will create real change in healthcare. As an equal opportunity employer, we provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, training and promotion, termination, and any other terms and conditions of employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, familial status, age, disability and/or any other legally protected classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Ro is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our application and interview process. If you require a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact us at talent@ro.co. See our California Privacy Policy here.