Sr Principal Scientist/Advisor - TSMS Packaging

Eli Lilly and Company•Us, IN

About The Position

The Sr. Principal Scientist/Advisor is a global technical subject matter expert for Lilly’s packaging network, supporting reliable supply of commercial medicines. The role works across packaging sites, external manufacturing sites, and global functions to establish harmonized technical approaches for new medicines and packaging lines, technical transfers, packaging changes, and ongoing improvements. It supports standardized control strategies, optimizes network capacity, and helps ensure the successful transition of products and processes to commercial manufacture. The position is part of Global Packaging and Robotics and works closely with M&Q functional subject matter experts and leaders across the DAP, Parenteral and Dry Products, IDM, and DDCS networks, as well as site teams. The role provides technical oversight for packaging operations, including device assembly, packaging, PPM inspection, material movement, qualification, validation, process monitoring, stability, and shipping/material movement qualification. It also supports investigation and resolution of network-relevant events, CAPA implementation, regulatory strategy alignment, and continuous improvement informed by emerging industry technologies. The position is posted with Indianapolis as its primary location and is open to US and OUS candidates, with a preference for candidates located at or near a site engaged in packaging activities. Travel is estimated at 10–25%.

Requirements

Degree in Packaging, Mechanical, Chemical, or another related engineering, scientific, or technical discipline, such as Material Sciences, Pharmacy, or Chemistry.
At least 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry; packaging experience is ideally included.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence organizational and operational strategy without direct control.
Availability to travel, estimated at 10–25%.

Nice To Haves

Experience in both device and parenteral product development or manufacturing.
Experience working at or supporting a manufacturing facility.
Experience supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing, including commercialization and technology transfers of new products or processes, and assuring reliable supply.
Problem-solving skills and understanding of quality systems and business processes such as validation, risk management, and control strategies.
Familiarity with and sensitivity to other cultures.

Responsibilities

Support existing and new packaging sites, including external manufacturing sites, with technical and knowledge transfer of control-strategy elements for new lines, new product introductions, new formats or presentations, and technical changes.
Implement an integrated risk-management approach covering packaging materials and equipment interfaces, warehousing and material movements, and distribution.
Establish guidance and standards for operational and equipment control strategies for packaging platforms, including material verification, standardization, PPM inspection, and supplier certification.
Develop and implement integrated device assembly, packaging, PPM, and material-movement control strategies to minimize risks to reliable supply.
Develop and implement harmonized network approaches for performance qualification, process validation, ongoing process verification and monitoring, stability requirements, and qualification of shipping and material movements.
Work with site packaging TSMS personnel and global functions to promote platform approaches, replication, harmonization, best practices, and shared learning; participate in network meetings.
Support definition of a tiered approach and governance model for applying and sustaining standards and harmonized approaches, including efficient change-management governance and clear roles and responsibilities.
Liaise with regulatory functions on strategies for new products, packaging, platform changes, and consolidated technical change agendas.
Work with packaging and device development and global functions to influence adoption of appropriate controls and methodologies for new products.
Support packaging sites in investigating network-relevant issues and events and in identifying and implementing CAPA plans to address events and prevent recurrence.
Travel to packaging sites as needed to provide subject matter expertise, coaching, and mentoring for new line and platform installation, qualification of new formats or presentations, product technical transfer and validation, inspection readiness, technical agenda implementation, and issue and event management.
Stay current with packaging technologies and industry platforms; participate in relevant industry forums and use benchmarking and learnings to assess improvements and enhance reliable controls at Lilly sites.

Benefits

Company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.
Company-sponsored 401(k) eligibility.
Pension.
Vacation benefits.
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits eligibility.
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.
Employee resource groups open to all employees.