Automation Technician (1st Shift)

Eli Lilly and Company; Concord (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Pension

Vacation benefits

Medical, dental, vision

Flexible benefits

Life insurance

Time off benefits

Well-being program

Job summary

Lilly is seeking an Automation Engineering Specialist to sustain reliable production outcomes by refining and executing automation routines. You will diagnose control systems, troubleshoot PLCs, and collaborate with manufacturing teams to improve efficiency and compliance.

This role operates on a 3-2-2 rotating schedule with 12-hour shifts from 5:45 AM to 6:00 PM, including alternating weekends. The team emphasizes structured problem solving and cross-functional collaboration to keep operations

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on automation experience.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills.
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems and repair of automated manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to integrate automation tasks into daily workflows.

Responsibilities

• Master procedures and continuously improve automation routines.
• Diagnose system issues and troubleshoot automation controls to minimize downtime.
• Execute and improve defined automation processes to ensure high-quality, reliable task delivery.
• Contribute to or lead small automation projects to improve system performance and manufacturing efficiency.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure automation solutions meet operational and compliance requirements.
• Follow established procedures to support routine automation tasks under supervision, ensuring regulatory adherence.
• Design, implement, and sustain manufacturing automation and control systems to ensure operational capability and compliance.
• Lead troubleshooting investigations of complex automation issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.

Job description

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

Automation Engineering - Specialist Summary

This Automation Engineering Specialist operates at the core of maintaining reliable production outcomes by executing and refining established automation routines. Working with defined procedures, you diagnose and troubleshoot control systems to minimize downtime, while continuously improving processes to ensure high-quality, dependable task delivery. The role emphasizes infrastructure automation, strategic problem solving, and seamless workflow integration to support smooth operations and steady gains in efficiency. Your contributions are rooted in following proven methods and collaborating with immediate teammates to sustain operational stability and predictable performance. This will be a 3-2-2 rotating schedule, working 12-hour shifts from 5:45 AM to 6:00 PM, including alternating weekends.

Key Responsibilities

• Support operational outcomes by mastering procedures and continuously improving automation engineering routines.
• Diagnose system issues and troubleshoot automation controls to minimize downtime.
• Execute and improve defined automation processes to ensure high-quality, reliable task delivery.
• Contribute to or lead small automation projects to improve system performance and manufacturing efficiency.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure automation solutions meet operational and compliance requirements.
• Follow established procedures to support routine automation tasks under supervision, ensuring regulatory adherence.
• Design, implement, and sustain manufacturing automation and control systems to ensure operational capability and compliance.
• Lead troubleshooting investigations of complex automation issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.

Core Capabilities

• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in industrial automation, automated manufacturing equipment, or a related technical field.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills, including the ability to access, interpret, and diagnose PLC programs to identify and resolve equipment issues.
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems, with the ability to troubleshoot and support repairs of automated manufacturing equipment.
• Automates and maintains standard automation tasks within defined infrastructure workflows.
• Approaches routine issues with structured analysis and documented solutions.
• Follows established processes to integrate automation activities into daily routines.
• Maintains focus on prescribed tasks and adheres to procedures with consistency.
• Adheres to applicable controls and procedures within automation work.

Preferred Capabilities

• Familiarity with Manufacturing Information Systems to support routine production tasks.
• Experience with Systems Monitoring to track and report basic performance data.
• Exposure to Cross-Functional Communication to coordinate with immediate team.
• Exposure to Systems Architecture and Design to understand end-to-end processes.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response. Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $21.63 - $42.31 Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including 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; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).

• 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).

Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

#WeAreLilly At Lilly we strive to ensure our employees are part of a team that cares about them and our shared purpose of making life better for those around the world. How do we do this? We continue to look for ways to include, innovate, accelerate and deliver while maintaining integrity, excellence and respect for people. We hope that you seek to join us on our journey as we create medicine and deliver improved outcomes for patients across the globe! #WeAreLilly