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Pharmaceutical Engineer

Pharmaceutical Engineers design, develop, and produce medications, cosmetics, and vaccines, overseeing quality control, testing, compliance, and product innovation.

How do I become a pharmaceutical engineer

Get qualified to work as a pharmaceutical engineer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

The weekly salary for a Pharmaceutical Engineer in Australia typically ranges from $85,000 to $130,000 per annum, which translates to approximately $1,635 to $2,500 weekly. Increase your earning capacity by obtaining post-graduate qualifications such as the Master of Biopharmaceutical Engineering or Master of Science in Medicine (Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Development).

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There are no clear employment figures for Australian Pharmaceutical Engineers. They are employed by medical research and technology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, cosmetic manufacturers, health organisations, and academic research institutions.

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You can become a Pharmaceutical Engineer in Australia with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical) — though you will increase your employability and earning potential by completing a double-degree in a complementary discipline. Consider food science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, or mathematical and computer science.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023

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Further reading

Choosing a security licence course in Australia: A step-by-step guide for jobseekers

10th November 2023

Most popular engineering courses

12th June 2022

A Beginner's Guide to Laboratory Technician Training in Australia

7th February 2025

Pharmaceutical Engineer careers

Pharmaceutical Engineers formulate and produce medications and pharmaceutical products as well as vaccines and cosmetics. They can be involved in research, product development, production, assembly, packaging and labelling, documentation, quality assurance, and laboratory testing.

As a Pharmaceutical Engineer you could be conceptualising a new product using software tools, testing compounds, preparing labelling documents for a new product, carrying out a risk assessment on manufacturing processes, ordering raw materials from a new supplier, overseeing production to ensure compliance with safety regulations, testing a proposed new drug for potential side effects, training junior laboratory staff, or writing a report that summarises your research findings.

To succeed in this occupation you’ll need a curious mind, a strong set of technical skills, and the ability to generate innovative ideas and solutions.