Engineer - Process Automation / IDAP Site Expansion - Assembly

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 66,000 - 171,600; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking an Engineer – Process Automation in Indianapolis, Indiana, to lead automation delivery within the IDAP Expansion Team. You will serve as the area expert for automation systems, controls, and integration, partnering with SMEs, site automation, and OEMs to ensure equipment is delivered, qualified, and capable of meeting customer needs.

Responsibilities include supporting ramp‑up and handover to the process team after milestones, ensuring compliance with cGMPs, and driving data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Experience supporting GMP production.
• Authorized to work in the United States full‑time (no visa sponsorship).

Responsibilities

• Serve as automation systems SME for asset delivery in IDAP.
• Collaborate with SMEs, Site automation, and OEMs to deliver qualified equipment.
• Support ramp-up and handover to process team after milestones.
• Ensure compliance with cGMPs and project standards.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

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 more than 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.

Organization Overview

At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing, and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but we also develop creative solutions to support communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

Position Brand Description

The Engineer – Process Automation will be part of the IDAP Expansion Team, a dedicated team responsible for executing strategies and objectives to ensure the successful delivery and ramp‑up of multiple assets within IDAP. The Process Automation Engineer is the area expert for automation systems, controls, and integration aspects of the equipment they are assigned. The Engineer – Process Automation is responsible for understanding all automation aspects of the asset delivery requirements within IDAP, partnering with the asset delivery organization SMEs (e.g. IDM/GPR), IDAP Site automation and infrastructure to ensure the equipment is delivered, qualified, and capable of meeting customer needs. The Process Automation Engineer will support the ramp‑up and handover to the process team after defined milestones.

Responsibilities

Safety

• Ensure a safe working environment by enforcing and following HSE policies and maintaining an ergonomic environment within the process team.
• Actively participate in safety‑related activities (audits, JSA’s, hazard reviews, etc.) to drive ongoing safety improvement.
• Wear proper personal protective equipment (gloves, steel‑toed shoes, safety glasses) as required by local procedures and the activity being performed.
• Understand safe operation of the equipment within the area.

Asset Delivery

• Obtain technical expertise of equipment and processes in area of responsibility.
• Have a basic understanding of Infrastructure / Telecom.
• General understanding of Data Flow, S95, MES (Manufacturing Execution System), SAP, and its integration with our controls systems.
• Knowledgeable in multiple technologies such as Vision, PLC, VFDs, etc.
• Knowledgeable in Data Integrity requirements and expectations, ensuring appropriate integration into assets within scope.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the code and process for assets assigned.
• Develop a deep understanding of Global and local requirements and expectations for Asset delivery.
• Understand equipment flow chart / process flow document, critical process parameters, and Control Strategy for responsible process area.
• Understand design and user requirements of equipment and fundamental understanding of the operational area’s processes where the asset will reside.
• Understand customer needs and issues associated with new and existing process control systems.
• Actively participate in project meetings, connect with delivery organizations and OEMs, and engage in the overall C&Q process throughout the project, preparing asset for PV.
• Work with the project team to ensure that design, code development, and testing approaches are in line with agreed standards.
• Leverage control system and electrical data to support troubleshooting, provide solutions, and implement actions.
• Perform activities in accordance with cGMPs and applicable procedures.
• Proactively evaluate automation code to identify and correct code opportunities.

Ramp Up Phase

• Monitor, analyze, and trend data to define action plans for data integrity, process efficiency, and commercialization continuous improvements.
• Monitor and enforce compliance of AQMS (Asset Qualification Monitoring Strategy), automation change strategy, and ensure compliance with all requirements, policies, and regulations.
• Lead or manage small projects or initiatives related to automation technologies.
• Continuously monitor and perform assessments in the assigned area of support to proactively identify opportunities and implement corrections to deliver results, drive productivity, and be more agile and competitive.
• Support equipment‑related deviation investigations, understand potential equipment failure modes, and implement appropriate countermeasure for equipment‑related deviations.
• Initiate change controls to optimize systems or processes, including business case, technical recommendations, and resources / cost estimates.
• Implement and/or support implementation of the change controls (complete all information, follow up approval signatures, close the document).
• Participate as a process team member as technical SME and train individuals as appropriate to assume process automation engineering responsibilities.

Fundamental Deliverables

• Communicate effectively with others, especially project/process team members, customers, engineering techs, and craft personnel.
• Educate, coach, and collaborate with process team members including Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering front line staff.
• Be prepared for and participate in project team meetings.
• Identify roadblocks and communicate to the appropriate level on time.
• Use project management practices for meeting project commitments and communicate the status of initiatives to the project team.
• Prioritize time and task execution based on impact to business needs.
• Escalate technical, safety, and quality issues as recommended by the process area.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
• Experience supporting GMP production.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role.

Additional Preferences

• Previous experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
• Previous experience in the delivery of GMP production assets.
• Computer System Validation experience is desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively in a team‑based environment.
• Ability to work safely to ensure the safety of self and others.
• Have a basic understanding of Infrastructure / Telecom.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe work environment, working safely, and accountable for supporting all HSE (Health Safety and Environment) corporate and site goals.

Other Information

• 8‑hour days, after‑hour support.
• Extended travel / stays may be required to support / learn from other site start‑ups for similar equipment.
• Travel to US and OUS (4‑12 weeks/yr) will be required for OEM interactions, FAT testing, and other project requirements.

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 for further assistance.

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.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $66,000 - $171,600. 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).