The most direct path to becoming a pharmaceutical engineer is to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemical or mechanical engineering and then pursue a master’s degree in pharmacology. Many of the largest companies hire directly from university programs, and getting hired in these cases is often as simple as setting up an interview and making a good first impression. However, some general research into the field can help you find a good fit and make the right impression. There are usually a variety of branches, ranging from research and development to production, management, and even sales. Choosing the right track for you may require some trial and error as well as networking. Most of the time, once you’ve been hired, you’ll need to earn a “certificate of competency” before you can start working. While this certificate is usually offered by the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) and is usually valid worldwide, it can help you stand out as a candidate if you get it while you’re still looking for work.
Getting a General Understanding of the Job
Pharmaceutical engineers work in pharmaceutical research facilities and manufacturing plants. They may have a variety of responsibilities, but in most cases, it is their responsibility to figure out the chemical components of safe medication manufacturing while also taking into account workplace implications and safe handling. You’ll need a science background to understand the process from a biological standpoint, as well as analytical skills to organize and orchestrate the larger framework of production and manufacturing, to do this job well. Experienced pharmaceutical engineers can work in a variety of fields, but regardless of where you end up in the field, you’ll need a lot of knowledge. As a result, education is usually one of the most — if not the most — important factors in achieving success.
Background in Education
A good first step is to enroll in an engineering program at a college or university. Employers often give more weight to candidates with a background in chemical or mechanical engineering, even if they have an undergraduate degree in anything related to science. After completing a bachelor’s degree, you can improve your job prospects by pursuing a master’s degree in a more specialized field, such as pharmaceutical engineering. Candidates with a master’s degree in pharmaceutical engineering may have a better chance of landing job interviews.
Think about pursuing a graduate degree.
Students with a strong undergraduate record are usually accepted into master’s programs. A 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in chemical or mechanical engineering is usually required, as well as high scores on admissions tests like the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in the United States. Students with a bachelor’s degree in a science field may be considered if they complete the required pre-requisite courses for the pharmaceutical engineering program. Differential equations, business math and statistics, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and heat and mass transfer are among the topics covered in these courses.
The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Engineering program provides in-depth training for those wishing to pursue a career as a pharmaceutical engineer, and is typically considered necessary for those wishing to advance beyond entry-level positions. Pharmaceutical processing and manufacturing, validation and regulation, reaction engineering, drug metabolism, delivery, and discovery, and instrumental analysis are all areas of research.
Selecting a Track
Drug substance manufacturing and drug product manufacturing are the two main tracks in master’s programs. The substance manufacturing track examines the chemical reactions and separation processes used in the production of a drug’s active ingredients. The drug manufacturing track, on the other hand, focuses on the processes that go into making the final product. The requirements vary by location, but in general, you’ll need to complete at least 30 credit hours to graduate, and a high cumulative GPA is often required to attract hiring managers’ attention.
Obtain a Competency Certificate
Another tool that may help you get a job offer is a certification of competency from the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE). Individuals who demonstrate technical knowledge, leadership skills, professionalism, innovation, and vision are awarded the Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional (CPIP) certification by the ISPE. To work as a pharmaceutical engineer, you must possess all of these qualities.