Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer, Automation Engineering, Controls System Hardware - Lilly Medicine Foundry

Eli Lilly and Company; Lebanon (IN); On-site; USD 68,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Pension

Vacation benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

Flexible benefits

Life insurance

Well-being benefits

Job summary

Lilly is seeking a Principal/Sr. Principal Automation Engineer to join the Automation Engineering Department at Foundry in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You will provide automation support across operating areas and capital projects, focusing on Instrumentation and Control Hardware, with startup planned 2026–2028. You will mentor engineers, lead commissioning and qualification activities, and ensure reliable, compliant control systems for GMP manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Minimum B.S. in Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years’ experience in Biopharma Automation Engineering.
• Experience with DeltaV DCS and Rockwell PLCs in GMP environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead site operation support and capital project execution.
• Mentor process control team and ensure compliant control applications.
• Develop and review Functional Requirements, Design Specifications, and Test Specifications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support GMP operations and startup.

Skills

DeltaV DCS

Rockwell PLCs

FactoryTalk View

Process automation

GMP compliance

Batch processing

Education

B.S. in Engineering

Tools

Veeva

PI

BMS Warehouse Monitoring

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, self‑less 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.

Job Description

The Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer - Automation Engineering will work as a member of the Automation Engineering Department at Eli Lilly, Foundry. The Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer will provide automation support for one or more operating areas across the site and/or for capital projects, with primary focus on Instrumentation and Control Hardware. Process Automation is core to delivering the right first‑time facility startup and continued support of ongoing manufacturing operations into the future. The Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer is also responsible for the productivity and mentorship of the other Engineers on the team with the purpose of ensuring that reliable and compliant control applications and systems are used in manufacturing at Foundry. Additionally, the Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer, as a key technical expert, will collaborate with partners within the process control organization and across functional disciplines to support the process control technical agenda, business plan priorities, and compliance objectives. In the project delivery phase and startup phase of the project (startup expected 2026 to 2028), automation engineering roles will be fluid and dynamic as we endeavor to support project delivery, build a new organization, develop and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to support GMP operations, and build the site culture. This will require significant collaboration, creativity, and resilience as the site grows to full‑scale GMP manufacturing through startup.

Key Objectives/Deliverables

• Lead site operation support, capital project execution, and commissioning & qualification.
• Demonstrated ability in translating technical concepts for executive audiences and/or non‑technical stakeholders.
• Deep expertise working with DeltaV Distributed Control System and Batch Process Automation.
• Deep expertise working with Rockwell Allen‑Bradley PLCs and FactoryTalk View.
• Expertise working with DeltaV control panels, DeltaV Remote I/O panels, and Rockwell I/O.
• Expertise in performing automation engineering activities including design, development, and commissioning of Process Automation projects using DeltaV DCS, including tuning and troubleshooting of control loops.
• Thorough understanding of various process control communication protocols.
• Develop and implement the Automation Engineering Project Plan.
• Define strategies for periodic and corrective maintenance of instruments and control hardware.
• Operational Excellence System‑level thinking and expertise working with multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Technical leadership in leading projects from concept through Commissioning and Qualification.
• Demonstrated ability in resolving complex technical challenges with instrument and control system hardware.
• Technically lead and oversee the work of Site Area Leads and System Integrators.
• Develop and review Functional Requirements, Design Specifications, and Test Specifications.
• Thorough understanding of 21CFR Part11 and GMP processes.
• Demonstrated experience with developing and utilizing Master Maintenance Plans.
• Lead/participate in design reviews and site system hardware reviews and attend equipment FATs.
• Provide periodic status updates to Leadership and Project Management.
• Implement and support electronic systems, such as plant historians, used to capture process automation‑related production data.
• Maintain the validated state of site control system hardware in line with Lilly quality standards, including the development and execution of validation strategies and associated documentation.
• Promote the use of automation to improve productivity, operational efficiency, and compliance.
• Develop a network of corporate contacts and leverage corporate expertise when needed.
• Experience in clinical‑stage manufacturing with flexible, multi‑product capabilities is preferred.

Organizational Capability

In coordination with automation and compliance consultants, set and reinforce standards for appropriate rigor in automation work products. Mentor the process control team to strengthen technical capabilities and adopt best practices to enhance system reliability and business continuity. Be a fully active member of the flow leadership in running the plant, including participation on technical sub‑teams.

Basic Requirements

• Minimum B.S. in Engineering or related degree and a minimum of 5 years (at the Principal Engineer level) and a minimum of 8+ years’ experience (at the Senior Principal level) working experience in Biopharma Automation Engineering, preferably in major pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Experience working in a highly automated facility using DeltaV DCS, Rockwell Allen‑Bradley PLCs, Veeva, PI, and/or BMS Warehouse Monitoring from design through startup. Knowledge of GMP, regulatory requirements, and computer system validation. Available to participate in a rotational on‑call schedule.

Preferred Requirements

• Demonstrated initiative, good planning and organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks, and commitment to task completion and timelines.
• Hands‑on experience working directly with automation control panel hardware and wiring.
• Possess a keen technical curiosity and demonstrated strong problem‑solving skills and a desire for continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to influence peers and business partners and influence without authority.
• Good written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non‑technical audiences.

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 $67,500 - $173,800. 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.

#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!