Instrumentation and Calibration Engineering Advisor

Elanco; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Multiple relocation packages

Annual bonus offering

Flexible work arrangements

Parental leave

Job summary

The Instrumentation and Calibration Engineer at Elanco will provide technical leadership in calibration standards across global sites. With a comprehensive understanding of measurement science, the engineer will serve as a strategic advisor and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while optimizing operational excellence.

The role requires a B.S. degree in a related field and 5–8 years of experience in a highly regulated environment, as well as a strong background in instrumentation and calibration best practices.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in a regulated GMP environment.
• Proficient with calibration tools and processes.
• Experience in leading technical audits and compliance enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical advisor for global manufacturing sites.
• Lead the development of harmonized global calibration standards.
• Conduct technical audits to ensure alignment with global standards.
• Provide technical support for complex instrument failures.
• Identify and implement calibration system upgrades.

Skills

Instrumentation expertise

Calibration knowledge

Compliance with FDA and USDA

SAP PM proficiency

Problem-solving

Education

B.S. degree in Instrumentation, Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Multimeters

Pressure calibrators

Job description

Your Role

The Instrumentation and Calibration Engineer leverages a comprehensive understanding of measurement science and subject matter expertise to provide technical leadership and consultation to Elanco M&Q. This role serves as a strategic advisor to global sites, defining and harmonizing calibration standards to ensure manufacturing equipment and automated systems operate at peak precision and regulatory compliance. As part of the Global Engineering team, you will ensure that our facilities producing pet and farm animal pharmaceuticals maintain the highest standards of operational excellence. While this is an advisory position focused on governance and continuous improvement, the successful candidate must possess the deep technical "hands‑on" background required to guide site teams, troubleshoot complex issues, and ensure that maintenance activities are executed with the urgency required to maintain a state of control.

Your responsibilities

• Strategic Advisory – Serve as the primary technical advisor to global manufacturing sites on all matters related to instrumentation and calibration. Provide guidance on best practices for our diverse and specialized equipment across our Biotech and Small Molecule Networks.
• Standardization & Governance – Lead the development and implementation of harmonized global calibration standards and SOPs. Ensure consistency in how calibration is approached across M&Q to drive quality and efficiency.
• SAP PM & Operational Discipline – Act as the functional lead for SAP PM (Plant Maintenance) calibration modules. Define data integrity standards and optimize maintenance plans. Emphasize and monitor the critical importance of completing GMP preventive maintenance (PM) tasks within established windows to ensure continuous compliance and eliminate maintenance‑related deviations.
• Auditing & Compliance – Conduct technical audits of site calibration programs to ensure alignment with Elanco global standards, USDA, ISO, FDA, and GMP requirements. Ensure robust NIST traceability and defend calibration programs during regulatory inspections.
• Technical Support & Troubleshooting – Provide high‑level technical support for complex instrument failures or system malfunctions that exceed site‑level capabilities. Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for significant calibration‑related deviations and implement robust CAPAs to prevent recurrence.
• Continuous Improvement – Identify opportunities to upgrade outdated systems and implement innovative calibration technologies (e.g., paperless calibration, automated testing) to reduce downtime, improve accuracy, and streamline the PM lifecycle.
• Travel – Flexibility in domestic and international travel (approx. 30%) to visit manufacturing sites in support of advisory support, audits, and significant business initiatives.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications)

• B.S. degree in Instrumentation, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in instrumentation and calibration within a biotech, pharmaceutical, or highly regulated GMP environment.
• Working knowledge of USDA and FDA regulatory requirements pertaining to animal health manufacturing.
• Strong foundational background in performing calibrations (multimeters, pressure calibrators, HART, etc.) to effectively advise others.
• Deep familiarity with biotech process instrumentation and control systems (PLCs, SCADA, Distributed Control Systems).
• Advanced proficiency in SAP PM as it relates to maintenance and calibration management.
• Must be a self‑starter and capable of working independently with minimal direction.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)

• Significant experience (10+ years) in Animal Health, Pharmaceutical, or Biotech manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to influence without authority and manage multiple assignments concurrently in a global, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability to apply problem‑solving methodology to complex technical situations within required deadlines.
• Understanding of validation activities, technology transfer, and process validation.
• Exposure to Lean Six Sigma principles.

Elanco Benefits and Perks

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well‑being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:

• Multiple relocation packages
• Two week‑long shutdowns (mid‑summer and year‑end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
• 8‑week parental leave
• 9 Employee Resource Groups
• Annual bonus offering
• Flexible work arrangements
• Up to 6% 401(k) matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.