Senior Director of Engineering – Facilities and Utilities

Eli Lilly and Company; Huntsville (TN); On-site; USD 164,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

401(k) with company match

Pension plan

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Well-being programs

Job summary

Lilly seeks a Senior Director of Engineering – Facilities and Utilities to lead site operations for GMP manufacturing, facilities, and utilities. You will shape engineering strategy, oversee safety, quality, and reliability, and partner with the Site Lead Team to align with corporate objectives.

During startup, drive system implementations, organizational design, and process improvements, then sustain excellence as operations scale. Pharma/API experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering required.
• 10+ years of experience leading teams in the pharmaceutical industry.
• 5+ years of experience in API manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of cGMPs and manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead site operations for facilities, utilities, and engineering.
• Guide GMP systems and processes during startup and execution.
• Build organizational structure to support GMP manufacturing.
• Ensure safety, quality, and operational excellence at the site.
• Collaborate with Site Lead Team to align with corporate objectives.
• Establish and sustain systems for equipment, processes, utilities, and facilities.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering management

Pharma manufacturing

cGMP knowledge

API manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

Project management tools

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.

Position Overview:

TheSenior Director of Engineering – Facilities and Utilitiesis responsible for leading site operations related to facilities, utilities, and engineering, ensuring the infrastructure and leadership are in place to support both thesite startup and long-term manufacturing operations. This role is part of theLilly Site Lead Team, contributing to strategic direction, organizational development, and cross-functional coordination.

During theproject delivery and startup phase, the Senior Director will:

• Guide the development and implementation of systems and business processes required for GMP operations.
• Help build the site’s culture and operational readiness.
• Collaborate closely with other Site Lead Team members to manage evolving responsibilities and ensure alignment with corporate objectives.

As the site transitions to full-scale GMP manufacturing, the role will evolve to focus on sustaining operational excellence, continuous improvement, and long-term strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-Startup and Startup Phase:

• Be a collaborative, inclusive, and energetic leader, supporting the broader Lead Team.
• Build an organization with the capability, capacity, and culture to operate the facility to the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Define site engineering facilities priorities and roadmap; develop and implement systems and processes by leveraging internal expertise and external best practices.
• Serve on the site HSE Lead Team to ensure a strong safety focus throughout project delivery and startup.
• Act as the end user representative during project delivery - providing input on design, commissioning, and startup to align with both project and long-term site goals.
• Develop and adapt the organizational structure to ensure the right resources and leadership are in place for full-scale GMP manufacturing.
• Ensure systems are established and executed to achieve a qualified and safe state for equipment, processes, utilities, and facilities.
• Build strong technical relationships with corporate functions and champion strategic initiatives at the site level.

Post Startup:

• Lead collaboratively and energetically, supporting the broader Lead Team.
• Build an organization with the capability, capacity, and culture to operate the facility at the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Define engineering priorities and roadmap; implement systems and processes using both internal expertise and external best practices.
• Ensure safety is embedded throughout project delivery and startup as a member of the site HSE Lead Team.
• Represent end-user needs during project delivery - providing input on design, commissioning, and startup to align with both immediate and long-term goals.
• Develop and adjust the organizational structure to ensure the right resources and leadership are in place for GMP manufacturing.
• Establish and execute systems to achieve a qualified and safe state for equipment, processes, utilities, and facilities.
• Foster strong technical partnerships with corporate teams and champion strategic initiatives at the site level.

Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience leading teams in the pharmaceutical industry.
• 5+ years of experience in API manufacturing.

Additional Preferences:

• Strong knowledge of cGMPs and their application in manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships across all levels, including close collaboration with the Site Leadership Team.
• Demonstrated success in leading end-to-end projects on time, within budget, and to high standards.
• Skilled in developing high-performing, engaged teams and fostering a strong, safety-focused culture.
• Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM).

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 Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is

$163,500 - $239,800

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.