Lead Engineer - Eln Transformation

Elanco; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Elanco in the United Kingdom seeks a Technical Lead for the ELN SaaS platform within Small Molecule R&D to drive configuration and integration across the product lifecycle.

You will partner with Product Management and Engineering to shape the backlog, implement architecture decisions, and ensure governance, security, and data integrity across data flows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in IT, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology or a related discipline.
• 5+ years' experience with modern application architecture methodologies and cloud-native design patterns, ideally on Azure or Google Cloud.
• 5+ years' experience delivering digital solutions with product-mindset delivery in a DevSecOps culture (CI/CD, TDD).
• Hands-on software engineering background with web technologies (TypeScript, JavaScript, Node.js, React), API-first integration, and Kubernetes.
• Strong data engineering skills (SQL, ETL, Exploratory Data Analysis) and ability to communicate complex technical topics across IT, business and regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Technical Subject Matter Expert for the new ELN SaaS platform, driving configuration and owning build-and-run responsibilities across the product lifecycle.
• Architect and develop API integrations (REST, GraphQL, JSON) connecting ELN with upstream and downstream systems, ensuring GxP and GDPR governance.
• Partner with the Product Manager and Principal Engineer to shape and size the product backlog, define engineering approaches, and ensure standard engineering practices.
• Coach and upskill engineers on the product to build a high-performing engineering unit and share best practices across the wider team.
• Manage stakeholder relationships and documentation across business, technology and regulatory functions, embedding security and quality assurance throughout.

Skills

Cloud architecture

DevSecOps & CI/CD

Web development (TypeScript/JavaScript

Data engineering

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or related discipline

Tools

Kubernetes

Microsoft Azure

Google Cloud

ELN / Lab informatics platforms

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets.
At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People. At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success.
Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights. Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today! This role sits within Elanco's Lab Informatics Product Team, part of the Global R&D Product Tower, supporting the rollout of a new electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) platform for Small Molecule R&D.
As Technical Lead, you will act as the subject matter expert for the ELN platform, driving its configuration and integration across Elanco's wider R&D technology ecosystem.
This is a high-impact opportunity to shape a major digital transformation programme within a global animal health research organisation.

Your Responsibilities:

• Act as the Technical Subject Matter Expert for the new ELN SaaS platform, driving its configuration and owning build-and-run responsibility across the product lifecycle.
• Architect and develop API integrations (REST, GraphQL, JSON) connecting the ELN platform with upstream and downstream systems across R&D, Manufacturing and Regulatory, ensuring GxP and GDPR governance is respected across all data flows.
• Partner with the Product Manager and Principal Engineer to shape and size the product backlog, define engineering approaches, and ensure the platform adopts Elanco's engineering standards.
• Coach and upskill engineers on the product to build a highly competent engineering unit, sharing best practice across the wider Engineering community.
• Manage stakeholder relationships and documentation across business, technology and regulatory functions, embedding security, privacy and quality assurance throughout the solution.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years' experience with modern application architecture methodologies (Service-Oriented Architecture, API-Centric Design, Twelve-Factor App) and Cloud Native design patterns, ideally on Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud.
• 5+ years' experience designing and delivering digital solutions using product-mindset delivery methodologies within a DevSecOps culture, including Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) and Test-Driven Development (TDD).
• Hands-on software engineering background with web technologies (e.g.
  TypeScript, JavaScript, Node.js, React), API-first integration patterns, and container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes.
• Strong data engineering skills (SQL, ETL, Exploratory Data Analysis) combined with a demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical topics and influence stakeholders across IT, business and regulated, cross-functional environments.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

• Hands-on experience implementing and configuring ELN or lab informatics platforms (e.g.
  Revvity Signals, Benchling, LabVantage) in a life sciences or pharmaceutical environment, including system integration and workflow automation.
• Understanding of GxP, data integrity and computer system validation requirements.
• Experience integrating AI and agentic workflows into custom software solutions.
• Working knowledge of data foundations and integration into downstream data products.

Additional Information:

Travel: Occasional travel may be required.
Location: UK - Hook Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.
At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment.
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 Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills.
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