Engineer - Project Engineer-Design Lead

BioSpace; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 171,600; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking a capital project design lead with a strong background in pharmaceutical or API manufacturing. You will guide engineering design standards, coordinate cross‑functional teams, and ensure design aligns with project goals and regulatory requirements.

This role requires extensive collaboration with A/E firms and internal stakeholders. Responsibilities include delivering design reviews, developing requirements, and driving efficiency and value engineering across projects.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical preferred).
• Minimum of 5‑years manufacturing and/or engineering experience in support of pharmaceutical or API networks.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis; Lilly will not sponsor work authorization or visas for this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead in identifying applicable design standards, engineering standards, specifications, and regulatory guidance.
• Be responsible for overall design delivery for capital project(s).
• Coordinate all design for the Project Manager across all design phases and deliver design reviews.
• Develop design requirements and assist in development of the design schedule.
• Coordinate with A/E firms to implement earned value progress systems and monitor progress.
• Ensure design meets approved intent through cross‑functional collaboration with design teams and end users.
• Manage design activities and governance and resolve design‑related problems.
• Identify inefficiencies and drive design hours plan improvements.
• Support SOPs, work instructions, and best practices related to design/verification.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder influence

Conflict resolution

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead in the identification of the applicable Engineering Design Standards, Engineering Functional Standards, Engineering Specifications and Regulatory requirements and guidance (both internal and external).
• Be responsible for the overall design delivery for capital project(s).
• Coordinate all design for the Project Manager during all design phases of the project and be responsible in delivering the conceptual design review and basic design review.
• Direct the development of the design requirements.
• Assist in development and maintenance of the design schedule to meet the project needs.
• Participate in the selection of the A/E firms.
• Coordinate with A/E firms to develop earned value progress systems to measure progress by discipline (monitor work versus invoice amounts).
• Expedite design decisions and coordinate information flow between the design team and system owners.
• Be responsible for ensuring the design meets approved intent through interactions between the design firm, design specialists, engineering tech center disciplines, and end user/customer.
• Be responsible for design activities and governance, resolving design-related problems.
• Examine areas of inefficiency and develop strategies for improvement to direct the design team to meet or improve on the design hours plan.
• Assist in the development of standard operating procedures, project delivery work instructions, and/or best practices related to design/verification and ensure they remain current with industry best practices.
• Review and approve along with the respective Project Manager the key design project personnel (both internal and external resources).
• Work with Engineering Tech Center resources and other key project team technical/constructability resources to address and resolve design issues.
• Ensure replication is achieved during design when applicable.
• Support the Project Manager for value engineering exercises efforts to maximize project opportunities.
• Review design-related invoices prior to approval and participate in KPI reviews/assessments.
• Participate in the selection of the verification professional services.
• Accountable for the development of the Project Verification Plan, Traceability Matrix, and risk assessments (not necessary lead the execution).

Basic Requirements

• BS in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical preferred)
• Minimum of 5‑years manufacturing and/or engineering experience in support of pharmaceutical or API networks
• 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, including but not limited to F‑1 CPT, F‑1 OPT, F‑1 STEM OPT, J‑1, H‑1B, TN, O‑1, E‑3, H‑1B1, or L‑1

Additional Preferences

• Pharmaceutical process or project engineer experience
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to effectively facilitate conflict to resolution
• Ability to influence all levels of the project and site personnel
• Understanding of the capital project delivery process, A/E design activities, and the available Lilly technical resources (user reps, Engineering Tech Center resources, and design specialists)
• Demonstrated values that are consistent with the Lilly values
• Able to frame complex decisions/analyses, facilitate to a decision, and implement according to the plan
• Ability to create credibility and influence to align decision agreements between site(s), corporate engineering, A/E firm decision‑makers, and stakeholders who have differing opinions
• Experience facilitating issue resolution, anticipating scope changes, and implementing projects safely with quality, speed and value
• Willingness to relocate and/or travel to locations outside of home state/country and have the demonstrated ability to work from long distances with little supervision

Additional Information

• Travel can be both domestic and international, on average about 25%, depending on the phase of the project
• The potential of co‑location at the A/E firm or the job site to support C&Q activities for periods of time could occur based on project needs

Compensation & Benefits

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). 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.

Accommodation

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.