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

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.

The Senior Principal Engineer - Automation Engineering will work as a member of the Automation Engineering Department at Eli Lilly, Foundry. The principal engineer will provide automation support for one or more operating areas across 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 start up and continued support of ongoing manufacturing operations into the future.

The Principal Engineer is also responsible for the productivity and mentorship of the other Engineers in the team with the purpose of ensuring that reliable and compliant control applications and systems are used in the manufacturing at Foundry. Additionally, the 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 the 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 a full scale GMP manufacturing through start up.

Key Objectives/Deliverables:

• Lead site operation support, capital project execution and commissioning & qualification.
• Demonstrated ability in translating technical concepts for executive audience and/or non-technical stakeholders.
• Deep Expertise working with DeltaV Distributed Control System, Batch Process Automation.
• Deep Expertise working with Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC’s, FactoryTalk View.
• Expertise working with DeltaV control panels, DeltaV Remote I/O panels and Rockwell I/O’s.
• Expertise in performing automation engineering activities including design, Development and Commissioning Process Automation projects using DeltaV DCS, 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 Part 11, GMP processes.
• Demonstrated experience with developing and utilizing Master maintenance plans.
• Lead/Participate in design reviews and Site system hardware reviews, attend equipment and 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 the 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 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 field and experience in Automation Engineering
• 8+ years working experience in Pharmaceutical or highly regulated environment

• Experience working in highly automated facility, using DeltaV DCS, Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC, Veeva, PI, and/or BMS Warehouse Monitoring from design through Startup.
• Knowledge of GMP, regulatory requirements, computer system validation
• Available to participate in a rotational on-call schedule
• 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.

Preferred Requirements:

• Demonstrated initiative, good planning and organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks, commitment to task completion and timelines.
• Hands-on experience working directly with automation control panel hardware and wiring.

• Possess a keen technical curiosity and has demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and a desire for continuous improvement
• Demonstrated ability to influence peers and business partners, 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 () 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

$66,000 - $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