Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer, Automation Engineering, Controls System Hardware - Lilly Medicine Foundry

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

21h • $67,500 - $173,800

About The Position

The Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer will be a member of Eli Lilly’s Automation Engineering Department at the Lilly Medicine Foundry. The role provides automation support for one or more site operating areas and/or capital projects, with a primary focus on instrumentation and control hardware. Process automation supports right-first-time facility startup and continued manufacturing operations.

The position provides technical leadership, supports the productivity and mentorship of other engineers, and helps ensure reliable, compliant control applications and systems are used in manufacturing. The engineer collaborates across the process control organization and other functional disciplines to advance technical priorities, business plans, and compliance objectives.

During project delivery and startup, expected from 2026 to 2028, responsibilities will evolve to support project execution, formation of a new organization, development and implementation of systems and business processes for GMP operations, and establishment of the site culture. The work requires collaboration, creativity, and resilience as the site grows toward full-scale GMP manufacturing.

The role also leads site operations support, capital project execution, commissioning and qualification, and control hardware maintenance strategies. It maintains the validated state of site control system hardware in line with Lilly quality standards and supports productivity, operational efficiency, compliance, and business continuity.

Requirements

• Minimum B.S. in Engineering or a related degree.
• At least 5 years of experience for the Principal Engineer level, or at least 8 years of experience for the Senior Principal level, in Biopharma Automation Engineering.
• Experience in a highly automated facility using DeltaV DCS, Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs, Veeva, PI, and/or BMS Warehouse Monitoring from design through startup.
• Knowledge of GMP, regulatory requirements, and computer system validation.
• Ability to participate in a rotational on-call schedule.
• Deep expertise with DeltaV Distributed Control System and Batch Process Automation.
• Deep expertise with Rockwell Allen-Bradley PLCs and FactoryTalk View.
• Expertise with DeltaV control panels, DeltaV Remote I/O panels, and Rockwell I/O.
• Thorough understanding of process control communication protocols.
• Understanding of 21 CFR Part 11 and GMP processes.
• Experience developing and using Master Maintenance Plans.
• Ability to resolve complex technical challenges involving instrumentation and control system hardware.
• System-level thinking and experience working with multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in clinical-stage manufacturing with flexible, multi-product capabilities.
• Initiative, planning and organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks, and commitment to completing tasks on schedule.
• Hands-on experience working directly with automation control panel hardware and wiring.
• Technical curiosity, strong problem-solving skills, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to influence peers and business partners without authority.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead site operations support, capital project execution, and commissioning and qualification.
• Translate technical concepts for executive audiences and non-technical stakeholders.
• Perform automation engineering design, development, commissioning, tuning, and troubleshooting for process automation projects using DeltaV DCS.
• Develop and implement the Automation Engineering Project Plan.
• Define strategies for periodic and corrective maintenance of instruments and control hardware.
• Provide technical leadership for projects from concept through commissioning and qualification.
• Technically lead and oversee the work of Site Area Leads and System Integrators.
• Develop and review Functional Requirements, Design Specifications, and Test Specifications.
• Lead or participate in design reviews and site system hardware reviews, and attend equipment factory acceptance tests.
• Provide periodic status updates to Leadership and Project Management.
• Implement and support electronic systems, including plant historians, for capturing process automation production data.
• Maintain the validated state of site control system hardware in line with Lilly quality standards, including developing and executing validation strategies and associated documentation.
• Promote automation to improve productivity, operational efficiency, and compliance.
• Develop corporate contacts and leverage corporate expertise when needed.
• Set and reinforce standards for appropriate rigor in automation work products in coordination with automation and compliance consultants.
• Mentor the process control team to strengthen technical capabilities and adopt best practices that enhance system reliability and business continuity.
• Participate as an active member of flow leadership in running the plant, including participation on technical sub-teams.
• Collaborate with partners within process control and across functional disciplines to support technical agenda, business plan priorities, and compliance objectives.

Benefits

• Company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.
• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k).
• Pension.
• Vacation benefits.
• Eligibility for medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Flexible benefits, including healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts.
• Life insurance and death benefits.
• Certain time-off and leave-of-absence benefits.
• Well-being benefits, including an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal