Sr. Engineer, Automation Engineering, Controls 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 Engineer - Automation Engineering will work as a member of the Automation Engineering Department at Eli Lilly, Foundry. The 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 Senior Engineer will collaborate and partner with cross-functional peers to support successful delivery of robust control systems and instrumentation.

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:

• Experience working with DeltaV Distributed Control System, Batch Process Automation.
• Experience working with Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC’s, FactoryTalk View.
• Experience working with DeltaV control panels, DeltaV Remote I/O panels and Rockwell I/O’s.
• Experience in performing automation engineering activities including design, Development and Commissioning Process Automation projects using DeltaV DCS and/or Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC.
• Experience with tuning and troubleshooting of control loops and Field Instruments.
• Hands-on experience in configuration and troubleshooting of Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s).
• Thorough understanding of P&ID’s and Instrument loop drawings.
• Understanding various process control communication protocols.

Operational Excellence

• Site operation runtime support, enhance control system reliability and lifecycle management, in a GMP regulated environment.
• Support capital project execution, Commissioning and Qualification.
• Demonstrated ability in resolving complex technical challenges with instrument and control system hardware.
• Work with Site Area leads and System Integrators.
• Develop and Review Functional Requirements, Design Specifications and Test Specifications.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing Master maintenance plans.
• Familiarity with 21CFR Part 11, GMP processes.
• Participate in design reviews and Site system hardware reviews, attend equipment FATs.
• Provide periodic status updates to Project Management.
• 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.
• Good planning and organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks, commitment to task completion and timelines.

Organizational Capability

• In coordination with automation and compliance consultants, set and reinforce standards for appropriate rigor in automation work products.
• Engage with cross-functional peers to strengthen technical capabilities and adopt best practices to enhance system reliability and business continuity.

Basic Requirements:

• Minimum B.S. in Engineering or related degree and experience in Automation Engineering
• 2+ years working experience in Pharmaceutical or highly regulated environment
• 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:

• Experience working in highly automated facility, using DeltaV DCS, Rockwell Allen Bradley PLC, Veeva, PI, and/or BMS Warehouse Monitoring from design through Startup.

• Possess a keen technical curiosity and has demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and a desire for continuous improvement
• Good written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Hands-on experience working directly with automation control panel hardware and wiring.

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

$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.

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