Principal - Engineer - Automation (Data & Platforms integration)

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 66,000 - 171,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance and death benefits

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Principal Automation Engineer in Houston, Texas. This mid-level position focuses on data historian system integration and supports the startup of a new manufacturing site. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, 3+ years of experience with data historians, and strong analytical skills. The role involves collaboration with engineering teams and oversight of system administration processes. Comprehensive benefits and a competitive salary range between $66,000 and $171,600 are offered.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in Aveva PI Data Historian administration including hardware design, software integration, and system procedures.
• Experience with Windows Servers and virtual environments.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Support design and delivery of site data historian system.
• Collaborate with Lilly Quality and engineering peers.
• Champion safety culture and mentor others.

Skills

Aveva PI Data Historian administration

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Writing skills

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related applicable discipline

Tools

Kneat Validation software

Veeva Vault

Windows Servers

Job description

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life‑changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for production of API molecules located in Houston, TX. This facility is intended to provide APIs for current and future products, including new modalities. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the site technical team for the [MH1] startup of a greenfield manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the processes, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

The Principal Automation Engineer – Data and Integration Platforms is an mid‑level automation engineering position that requires a deep understanding of process data historians, system integration, Lilly’s computer system validation practices, cGMP standards related to computer systems, and data integrity as they relate to pharmaceutical manufacturing.

This role will support the design and delivery of site data historian system, key integration platforms, and the system administration of site servers.

This role will also be integral in the design and delivery of data historian and integration platforms including design, validation plans, system integrator selection and oversight, and developing the site administrative procedures that ensure they remain in a validated state. This role will also support, as a secondary responsibility, related site automation platforms including process automation servers and the DeltaVDCS. Lilly Houston is part of Lilly’s Drug Substance (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) network.

During the design and delivery of the project this role will be integrated into the corporate automation team GPACE (Global Process Automation & Control Engineering) and then transition fully to a site‑based process team position. During delivery, this role will collaborate with Lilly Quality, A&E firms, system integrators, Emerson, and corporate and site engineering peers.

Post‑project delivery, this role will support GMP manufacturing operations in the central engineering function support and site process teams with Data Historian and integration services as well as system administration and platform upgrades. This role will require significant collaboration, creativity and resilience as the site grows to a full scale GMP manufacturing site through startup.

Key Deliverables

• Champion a strong safety culture, mentor and coach others, and utilize engineering and automation fundamental principles in design and problem solving.
• Become a subject matter expert on Lilly’s Aveva PI Data Historian reference architecture.
• Support the design, delivery, validation, and system management of the site Data Historian and related system integration platforms.
• Lead and direct system integrations and OEM’s on the design and installation of the Aveva PI platforms, data centers, and associated site infrastructure.
• Collaborate with Lilly’s Quality organization, Corporate Engineering, and Global Facilities Delivery to develop Computer System qualification and testing strategies.
• Ensure CSV documents comply with Corporate Quality Standards and Practices, local templates, and electronic document management system properties.
• Participate in basic and detailed design that also includes staffing, statements of work, supplier management, and delivery strategies for computer system validation.
• Develop and build capabilities within the Houston site automation team.
• Support the development of site procedures related to computer system validation and administration practices.
• Provide technical oversight during development of equipment and process system User Requirements and related Design Review/Qualification documentation to ensure equipment and systems are appropriate for intended purpose.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related applicable discipline required.
• 3+ years of experience in Aveva PI Data Historian administration including hardware design, software integration, and system procedures.
• Experience with Windows Servers and virtual environments.
• 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 Skills/Preferences

• 3+ years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing preferred. Other manufacturing experience will be considered.
• Strong analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills.
• Experience with Kneat Validation software, Veeva Vault, or similar package.
• Ability to collaborate with others.

Additional Information

• Potential for travel (less than 20% – could be domestic and/or international) to support system, factory acceptance testing, and training.

Compensation and 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.

EEO Statement

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.