Process Engineering Advisor – Lyophilization & Filling

Elanco Tiergesundheit AG; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Shutdowns

Parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus

Flexible work arrangements

401K match

Job summary

Elanco Animal Health is seeking a highly skilled Process Engineer specializing in lyophilization and filling to join the Global Engineering team, based at our Indianapolis, IN headquarters. The role focuses on sterile vaccine production and requires leading design and optimization of freeze-drying processes for a global manufacturing network.

Responsibilities include equipment design, process optimization, and cross‑functional collaboration with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Site Operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of process engineering in pharma/biotech/animal health.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemical, Mechanical, Bioengineering or related field.
• Experience with lyophilizers design, qualification, and operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, selection and commissioning of lyophilization and filling equipment for global vaccine production.
• Develop and optimize lyophilization cycles for product stability and efficiency.
• Provide technical oversight for operation and maintenance of freeze dryers across sites.
• Ensure GMP compliance and quality documentation for sterile manufacturing.

Skills

Process engineering

Lyophilization

Filling

GMP compliance

Regulatory communication

PLC/SCADA

Education

Chemical/Mechanical/Bioengineering degree

Tools

PLC/SCADA

AVEVA PI

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People. At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights. Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Your Role:

Elanco Animal Health is seeking a highly skilled Process Engineer specializing in Lyophilization and Filling to join our Global Engineering team. Based at our Global Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN, this role is critical in ensuring the robust design, efficient operation, and continuous improvement of our sterile manufacturing processes globally, with a primary focus on vaccine manufacturing. The successful candidate will provide technical expertise in freeze‑drying technology and filling operations, ensuring all processes meet stringent quality and regulatory standards across our international manufacturing network.

Your Responsibilities:

• Equipment Design & Specification: Lead the design, selection, and commissioning of lyophilization (freeze‑drying) systems and filling equipment for global vaccine production.
• Process Optimization: Develop and optimize lyophilization cycles to ensure product stability, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Operational Support: Provide technical oversight for the operation and maintenance of freeze dryers, troubleshooting complex mechanical and process issues at various global sites.
• Compliance & Quality: Ensure all engineering activities and documentation comply with GMPs and Elanco internal quality standards.
• Regulatory Support: Support regulatory filings and inspections, providing technical documentation and expertise for sterile manufacturing processes.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Site Operations to transition new products into commercial manufacturing globally.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in process engineering within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or animal health industry.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related technical field.
• Technical Expertise: Proven experience in the design, qualification, and operation of industrial scale lyophilizers.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of GMP requirements within a sterile manufacturing environment.
• Communication: Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills to present complex engineering concepts to diverse stakeholders.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

• Filling Experience: Hands‑on experience with aseptic filling equipment, isolator technology, and vial handling systems.
• Regulatory Familiarity: Familiarity with USDA-CVB regulations for veterinary biologics and EMA / EU GMP standards.
• Automation: Experience with PLC/SCADA systems and data historians (e.g., AVEVA PI) as they relate to lyophilization monitoring.

Additional Information:

• Travel: Ability and willingness to travel 0-30% (domestic and international) to support various manufacturing sites and vendor locations.
• Location: This role is based at our Global Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN.

Elanco Benefits and Perks:

• 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

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.

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ CSR framework – all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at www.elanco.com.