Process Engineer, Kilo and High Potency Lab, Lilly Medicine Foundry

Scorpion Therapeutics; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics in Indianapolis is seeking a chemical engineer to support API process engineering and development. You will evaluate scale-up feasibility, transfer gram- to kilogram-scale reactors, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

The role involves designing and testing kilo-scale equipment, ensuring cGMP compliance, containment for HPAPI, and optimizing unit operations from crystallization to purification, with opportunities to advance in a growing biotech setting.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in chemical engineering with 1–4 years in pharma/biotech/CMO supporting API process engineering or development.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time; no visa sponsorship.
• Experience with HPAPI handling/containment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate scale-up feasibility and transfer gram- to kilogram-scale reactors using data and modeling.
• Design, test, and install equipment to meet evolving portfolio and reaction needs.
• Operate and troubleshoot kilo-scale reactor systems and support plant design.
• Engineer containment and safe-handling strategies for HPAPI operations.
• Optimize crystallization, distillation, extraction, and isolation operations.
• Ensure quality, safety, and cGMP compliance; document reports and notebooks.
• Drive cross-functional execution via risk assessments and project plans.
• Develop or review plans and timetables for project work.

Skills

Scale-up engineering

Kilo-scale equipment

Cross-functional

cGMP compliance

Process optimization

Regulatory documentation

Education

BS or MS in chemical engineering

Tools

DeltaV

Dynochem

Aspen Plus

Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate scale-up feasibility and rig fit for new chemistries using technical data packages plus kinetic/mass-transfer/heat-transfer modeling and experiments to transfer from gram- to kilogram-scale reactors.
• Design, test, and install new equipment to meet evolving portfolio and reaction needs.
• Design, operate, and troubleshoot kilo-scale reactor systems (glass-lined/Hastelloy reactors, agitated filter-dryers) and support plant design for piping, mixing, heat transfer, and automation.
• Engineer containment and safe-handling strategies for HPAPI operations (isolators/glove boxes, OEB, dry-end solids processing).
• Optimize crystallization, distillation, extraction, and isolation unit operations; resolve polymorphism/particle-size issues; close mass balances and track impurity fate/purge.
• Safeguard quality, safety, and cGMP compliance; author/review technical reports, regulatory submissions, and lab notebooks.
• Drive cross-functional execution via impact/risk assessments and project plans with a proactive quality mindset.
• Develop or review plans and timetables for project work.

Basic Requirements:

• BS or MS in chemical engineering (or related) with 1–4 years’ experience in pharma/biotech/CMO supporting API process engineering or development.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time; no visa sponsorship.

Additional Preferences:

• Process development/chemical engineering interest; team collaboration with accountability.
• Experience with DeltaV, Dynochem, Aspen, and/or electronic lab notebooks.
• Kilo-scale equipment and scale-up factors (kinetics, mass transfer, heat transfer).
• HPAPI handling/containment (isolators, glove boxes) and OEB practices.
• Organic unit ops and analytics (HPLC/UPLC, MS, NMR, GC, KF, DSC, XRD) in cGMP gram-to-kilogram scale-up.
• Bioconjugate unit ops (single use, TFF, chromatography); strong analytical/problem-solving and communication.

Other Information:

• Initial location: Parkwood West, Indianapolis.
• Permanent location: Lilly Medicine Foundry, Lebanon, Indiana.