Sr. Principal Engineer - Bioprocess

Eli Lilly and Company; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Vacation benefits

Well-being program

Job summary

Lilly is building an advanced manufacturing facility in Goochland County, Virginia, seeking an experienced Process Engineer to support startup and ongoing operations for monoclonal antibody manufacturing. You will drive readiness plans, qualification strategies, and continuous improvement within a multidisciplinary team.

Key responsibilities include supporting design reviews, SOP development, run-rate readiness, and technology transfer, with a focus on right‑first‑time execution and a safe,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Process, Chemical, Biochemical Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of process team experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, preferably monoclonal antibody manufacturing.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; Lilly will not sponsor visa work authorization.

Responsibilities

• Provide Process Engineering support to the Global Facility Delivery team with a focus on right first time startup.
• Define and own aspects of the Operational Readiness Plan including SOPs, maintenance, automation, MES requirements.
• Own the Performance Qualification strategy and execution for the area of responsibility.
• Support initial Operations Training requirements as the Equipment and Area SME.
• Lead or support the tech transfer of new processes into the facility.
• Provide process engineering support post-startup and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Investigate process and equipment issues using root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor equipment performance to maintain ongoing qualification and safety basis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Initiative

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Process/Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

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, selfless 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.

Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for monoclonal antibodies, bioconjugates, and aseptic drug product manufacturing in Goochland County, Virginia. This facility is intended to provide capacity for current and future products. The successful candidate will help to build the organization, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

Some key responsibilities of the role include;

Facility Start-Up Phase;

• Provide Process Engineering support to the Global Facility Delivery team (Lilly’s Global Large Scale Capital Delivery Team) with a strong focus on right first time and on schedule facility start-up (e.g. design reviews, process safety assessments, User Requirements, C&Q support, Unit Operation Shakedown, Facility Run Rate Readiness)
• Define and own relevant aspects of the overall integrated Operational Readiness Plan (e.g. SOP development, maintenance strategy, automation optimization, run rate readiness, MES EBR requirements, alarm requirements, Performance Qualification Study Requirements / Protocol Development etc.)
• Own the Performance Qualification strategy and execution for area of responsibility
• Support initial Operations Training requirements as the Equipment and Area SME
• Lead/support the tech transfer of new processes into the facility

Post facility start-up phase;

• Provide process engineering support through application of process engineering fundamentals
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to equipment and processes as core member of cross-functional process team.
• Utilise root cause analysis techniques to investigate process and equipment issues and deliver robust and sustainable corrective and preventative actions
• Monitor, assess and document equipment performance to maintain ongoing qualification.
• Develop and maintain the basis of safety for process equipment
• Develop and implement unit operation and equipment control strategy

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Process, Chemical, Biochemical Engineering or related applicable discipline
• 7+ years of process team experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, preferably monoclonal antibody manufacturing
• 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 Preferences

• Deep technical interest and understanding in the field of monoclonal antibody manufacturing and Bioprocess Engineering.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a Process Team consisting of a diverse group of management, production, science, quality and engineering professionals.
• Creativity to identify improvement opportunities and the tenacity/initiative to see them implemented.
• Guidance/mentoring of others through processes.
• Flexibility to meet business needs.

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 $79,500 - $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.

#WeAreLilly