Associate Director - Engineering - Process (Oligonucleotides)

Lilly is building an advanced manufacturing facility in Houston, TX to produce API molecules for current and future products, including new modalities. The Associate Director, Process Engineering – Oligonucleotides will lead the process‑engineering organization through the pre‑startup, startup, and post‑startup phases, building the team, systems, and culture needed for GMP manufacturing of oligonucleotide products.

Responsibilities

Pre‑Startup and Startup Phase

• Attract, hire, and onboard top talent for the Oligonucleotides Process Engineering team, fostering curiosity and learning agility.
• Build the organization’s capability, capacity, and culture to operate at the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement business systems and processes, leveraging Lilly knowledge and external experience.
• Establish lean practices and a continuous‑improvement mindset across operations and supporting groups.
• Support the project team by providing feedback on design decisions, commissioning, and qualification strategies.
• Collaborate with the project team to ensure decisions meet project deliverables and long‑term strategic goals.
• Organize and implement a strategy for creating standard engineering operating procedures (SOPs) for startup and post‑startup phases.
• Plan and manage business operational expenses, capital, and headcount targets.

Post‑Startup

• Supervise and coach process‑engineering staff, conduct performance reviews, and develop career plans.
• Oversee staffing, recruitment, resource planning, and succession planning for the function.
• Coordinate process‑engineering work and provide input to key functional groups and partners.
• Set and reinforce engineering work‑product standards and the use of first‑principles in collaboration with the engineering function.
• Partner across disciplines to influence and implement the technical agenda, business‑plan objectives, and GMP Quality Plan objectives.
• Identify, track, and report key functional performance indicators.
• Provide oversight of engineering‑related technical issues and improvement initiatives.
• Review and approve engineering deviations, change controls, and standard operating procedures.
• Participate in site planning processes (capital and resource) representing the team’s interests while considering the overall site picture.
• Ensure technical review and approval of documents such as investigations, change controls, validations, annual product reviews, manufacturing tickets, procedures, process flow documents, and technical studies.
• Network across similar technologies to share best practices, rationale, and control strategies, ensuring harmonization and alignment between sites.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering or another engineering discipline with extensive API or chemical manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years of experience in an Oligonucleotides or similar synthetic protein GMP manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Experience with operations that include a Process Safety Management (PSM) program.
• Strong knowledge of cGMPs and their application to manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships at all levels and across functions.
• Experience developing and managing high‑performing, engaged teams and fostering a strong safety and innovation culture.
• Ability to lead, influence, and collaborate with diverse teams spanning a wide range of experience levels and skill sets.
• Strong independent decision‑making and influence skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that promote teamwork and effective communication.

Pay

Anticipated wage range: $123,000 – $180,400. Full‑time employees are also eligible for a company bonus based on company and individual performance.

Benefits

• Company‑sponsored 401(k) plan
• Pension plan
• Vacation benefits
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent day‑care
• Life insurance and death benefits
• Various time‑off and leave‑of‑absence benefits
• Well‑being programs, including employee assistance, fitness benefits, and employee clubs/activities