Director, Process Engineering- Lilly Medicine Foundry

About the role

The Senior Advisor/Director for Kilo Lab Equipment Development & Process Engineering serves as a technical leader responsible for driving innovation in equipment design, rapid prototyping, and scale-up strategies for complex therapeutic manufacturing. This role includes leadership of a small team of 1 to 3 engineers and requires mastery of first principles chemical engineering to develop novel equipment solutions and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead process engineering and equipment development for complex therapies that integrate both biologics and synthetic chemistry approaches
• Apply advanced knowledge of reaction kinetics, molecular interactions, and biophysical properties to develop robust manufacturing processes
• Address unique scaling challenges through predictive modeling and mechanistic understanding of multi-modal therapeutic systems
• Connect insights from diverse disciplines to solve complex technical challenges
• Mentor and guide cross-functional teams in applying systems-thinking approaches to process development
• Lead and develop a small team of 1-3 engineers supporting kilo lab equipment development and process engineering activities
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to team members
• Carefully coordinate team activities and prioritize work to meet project objectives
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team
• Serve as technical expert and advisor to development teams, operations, and senior leadership
• Actively engage and communicate with HSE, Quality Assurance, Tech Services, Development, Operations, FUME/C&Q, Automation, Maintenance, and Manufacturing teams
• Author, review, and approve high-quality technical reports and regulatory submissions
• Develop or review project plans and timetables for equipment qualification and process validation

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, or related discipline and a minimum of five years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or CMO environment supporting process engineering and equipment development for drug substance API manufacturing
• MS in Chemical Engineering or related discipline with minimum 12 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or CMO environment supporting process engineering and equipment development for drug substance API manufacturing
• BS in Chemical Engineering or related discipline with minimum 14 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or CMO environment supporting process engineering and equipment development for drug substance API manufacturing

Additional Preferences

• Proven track record of challenging and transforming manufacturing paradigms through innovative technical approaches
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop technical talent at individual and team levels
• Expert-level knowledge in modeling and simulation tools (e.g., Dynochem, Aspen, COMSOL, computational fluid dynamics software)
• Deep understanding of reaction kinetics, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, and biophysical characterization
• Experience with process analytical technology (PAT) and advanced process control strategies
• Proficiency with automation systems (DeltaV), data analytics platforms (OSI-PI), and electronic lab notebooks
• Experience with complex therapeutic modalities (biologics, synthetic molecules, conjugates, oligonucleotides, peptides)
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills for diverse audiences, from operations staff to executive leadership
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaborative relationships