Sr Director - Engineering (Automation, Maintenance, Process)

Eli Lilly and Company • Huntsville, AL

21h

About The Position

The Senior Director is responsible for leading the site’s process-facing engineering functions—including process engineering, automation, and maintenance—to ensure the team has the capacity, capability, and leadership to support site startup and long-term manufacturing goals. This role provides both administrative and technical leadership for engineering operations. As a member of the Lilly Site Lead Team, the Senior Director contributes to shaping the site’s strategic direction, building organizational capability, and managing cross-functional issues. The team works collectively to achieve long-term business objectives, adapt to evolving corporate and external environments, and develop the site for future success. During the project delivery and startup phases, the Site Lead Team will operate dynamically to support project execution, build the organization, implement GMP systems and processes, and establish site culture. This will require strong collaboration, creativity, and resilience.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in a leadership role managing teams within the pharmaceutical industry.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in API manufacturing, including implementation of a Process Safety Management program.
• Strong understanding of cGMPs and their application to manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships across all organizational levels—from site leadership to frontline teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading projects from initiation to completion, meeting timelines, budgets, and performance standards.
• Track record of developing and managing high-performing, engaged teams with a focus on safety, quality, and strong team culture.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Site Lead Team to build a capable, inclusive, and resilient organization focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Define priorities and roadmap for process engineering, automation, and maintenance.
• Develop systems and processes by leveraging internal expertise and external best practices.
• Actively contribute to the site HSE Lead Team to ensure safety is embedded throughout project delivery and startup.
• Act as end user for process equipment—providing input on design, commissioning, and startup plans to align with both project and long-term site goals.
• Design and evolve the engineering organization to ensure the right resources and leadership are in place for GMP manufacturing.
• Ensure qualified and safe states for equipment, processes, utilities, and facilities are established and maintained.
• Build strong technical relationships with corporate teams and champion strategic initiatives at the site level.
• Continue refining and executing the engineering roadmap, aligning functional goals with site priorities.
• Ensure adherence to corporate policies and standards across environmental, safety, and quality domains.
• Maintain an outward focus to identify and apply best practices from across the industry and internal network.
• Partner with Facilities Engineering to manage site investments—planning, prioritizing, and executing capital projects aligned with site objectives.
• Ensure equipment remains in a qualified and safe state, and that maintenance is performed and documented to the highest standards.
• Establish and maintain robust control systems to manage compliance and escalate issues appropriately.
• Cultivate future technical and managerial leaders for the site and potential global roles.

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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

What This Job Offers

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