Instrumentation and Calibration Engineering Advisor

Elanco; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Multiple relocation packages

Two weeklong shutdowns

8-week parental leave

Annual bonus offering

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 6% 401K matching

Job summary

Elanco is seeking an Instrumentation and Calibration Engineer to provide technical leadership and consultation. This role focuses on harmonizing calibration standards and ensuring compliance across manufacturing sites.

The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical sectors, with a strong understanding of regulatory requirements.

Elanco offers multiple relocation packages, flexible work arrangements, and an annual bonus.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in a regulated GMP environment.
• Working knowledge of USDA and FDA regulatory requirements for animal health.
• Strong background in performing calibrations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical advisor to global manufacturing sites.
• Lead development of global calibration standards and SOPs.
• Act as functional lead for SAP PM calibration modules.

Skills

Instrumentation and calibration

Technical leadership

Troubleshooting complex issues

SAP PM

GMP compliance

Education

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

Tools

Multimeters and pressure calibrators

PLC and SCADA systems

Job description

Your Role

The Instrumentation and Calibration Engineer leverages their 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Benefits

• Multiple relocation packages
• Two weeklong 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% 401K matching

EEO Statement

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.