Associate Director – Biologics Process Engineering, Lilly Medicine Foundry

About the role

The Associate Director, Biologics Process Engineering provides leadership and direction to the process engineering team to ensure that engineering deliverables are sufficiently resourced and qualified to support biologics drug substance manufacturing and the broader business agenda. This role is responsible for the productivity and development of process engineers with the purpose of ensuring that reliable and compliant equipment and systems are used in the manufacture of biologic products, including monoclonal antibodies, bioconjugates, and other large molecule modalities.

Responsibilities

• Establishes a technically advanced biologics process engineering group through recruitment, supervision, coaching, succession planning, and establishing actionable development plans, inclusive of completing performance reviews and development planning.
• Provides process engineering work coordination and guidance to key functional groups and partners supporting biologics manufacturing operations, including upstream (cell culture/fermentation) and downstream (purification, filtration, formulation) unit operations.
• In coordination with the engineering function, sets and reinforces standards for engineering work product and utilization of first principles. Partners within Engineering and across functional teams to influence and implement the technical agenda, site business plan objectives, and GMP Quality Plan objectives.
• Ensures appropriate process engineering support for biologics operations including facility fit assessments, process troubleshooting, scale-up/scale-down support, and continuous process improvements for biologic drug substance manufacturing.
• Oversees engineering-related technical issues, improvement initiatives, and technology upgrades specific to biologics unit operations (e.g., bioreactors, chromatography systems, TFF/UF-DF, sterile filtration, single-use systems). Reviews and approves engineering-related deviations and change controls.
• Ensures GMP compliance of facilities, processes, and documentation, maintaining the organization in a state of inspection readiness. Ensures all process engineering activities and documentation are performed in alignment with current data integrity requirements.
• Identifies, tracks, and reports key indicators of functional performance.
• Presents the interests of the team with a view to the overall site picture and future biologics portfolio in site planning processes (capital and resource).
• Serves as System Owner for designated computer, automation, and bioprocess control systems (e.g., bioreactor SCADA, process chromatography systems).
• Interacts with regulators, customers, or other outside stakeholders on business issues or in support of internal and external agency audits, including BLA/IND-relevant inspections.
• Networks globally to share best practices, control strategies, and process rationale to ensure harmonization and alignment between Lilly biologics manufacturing sites.

Startup Phase Responsibilities (2025–2027)

• Builds the biologics process engineering organization with the necessary capability, capacity, and culture to operate this facility to the highest standards of operational excellence.
• Develops and implements the systems and processes needed to run the site, leveraging existing Lilly biologics knowledge and practices where applicable, while also incorporating external experiences and learnings from the broader biopharmaceutical industry.
• Ensures regulatory compliance and operational excellence by supporting lean principles in their respective area.
• Supports the project team as they deliver the facility to the site team by providing feedback and input on biologics-specific design requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related science field.
• 5+ years of experience in a process engineering role supporting biologics drug substance manufacturing or development activities, preferably in a GMP manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with upstream and/or downstream biologics unit operations (bioreactors, chromatography, filtration, formulation).

Preferences

• Experience leading a team of process engineers highly preferred.
• Thorough understanding of bioprocess development and operations, regulatory requirements (FDA, ICH), cGMP, HSE regulations, and data integrity requirements as they apply to biologics manufacturing.
• Experience with single-use technology systems and associated engineering considerations.
• Familiarity with biologics regulatory submissions (IND, BLA, CTD modules) and process characterization/validation requirements.
• Capable of collaborating effectively within a team, making autonomous decisions, and influencing a diverse range of groups.
• Skilled at fostering teamwork within the department and showcasing essential interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in devising creative solutions to plant, divisional, and corporate issues, while leveraging insights from various functional areas.
• Experience with cell culture media/feed strategies, viral clearance requirements, and biologics-specific contamination control strategies is a plus.