Process Automation Engineer – Device Assembly,

About the role

As the Process Automation Engineer – Device Assembly, you will be supporting and managing the Device Assembly crucial to Lilly’s supply chain. This role will be part of the LKC Site Engineering organization responsible for the delivery of the lines and support of continuous operations by providing subject matter expertise in process control, improvements, project management, and technical leadership to the process team. The position will require the development of expertise in production processes, commissioning, qualification, and validation requirements and equipment-specific code and/or control system technologies.

Key Objectives/Deliverables

• Partner with Corporate Automation, Global Packaging & Robotics, Automation Integrators, and Global Facilities Delivery to design, install, and qualify the new LKC Device Assembly lines.
• Assist in the integration of these lines into the site data collection and SCADA layer.
• Lead automation activities through the full project lifecycle including design review, FAT, installation, SAT, qualification, and startup support.
• Serve as the technical owner for integration between Device Assembly equipment and enterprise manufacturing systems including MES, warehouse management systems, scheduling systems, and site automation platforms.
• Review OEM electrical, controls, and safety designs to ensure compliance with Lilly standards and applicable industry standards (e.g., machine safety, electrical safety, and control panel requirements).
• Develop and execute automation verification and qualification activities, including IV/OV testing, system integration testing, and startup troubleshooting.
• Support implementation and lifecycle management of Lilly manufacturing platforms such as Global Packaging Platform (GPP), GRIP, GPM, Global Scheduler, and MES integrations.
• Design, troubleshoot, and support manufacturing system interfaces including PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, databases, servers, virtual environments, networks, and middleware platforms.
• Partner with Quality, Operations, Engineering, IT, OEMs, and global platform teams to resolve complex automation and integration challenges during project execution and commercial operations.
• Lead manufacturing system startup readiness activities including PSSR execution, safety verification, automation cutovers, and qualification support.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying root causes, implementing robust automation solutions, and improving reliability, quality, and operational performance.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across multiple manufacturing areas and project teams.
• Owner/SME of equipment, Device Assembly processes, and maintenance programs associated with Lilly Global Quality Standards (GQS) and Engineering Best Practices/Functional Standards (EBP/EFS).
• Technically lead and delegate activities to a cross-functional technical team supporting the Device Assembly lines on medium-large scale projects.
• Proficient and capable of understanding OSHA/regulatory (CFR) requirements and ensuring compliance.
• Clear understanding of equipment flow chart, process flow document, critical quality attributes, and equipment controls.
• Establish control charts & monitor/trend operating parameters to verify and optimize equipment performance/KPIs.
• Provide tertiary support in troubleshooting efforts to resolve more difficult equipment and operational problems.
• Utilize formal problem-solving techniques, such as root cause analysis and causal factor charting, to resolve equipment deviations.
• Responsible for system/component classification and maintenance strategy for equipment.
• Identify and gain alignment on corrective actions and countermeasures arising from CAPAs.
• Accountable for Periodic Reviews for equipment.
• Identify and drive improvement opportunities (procedural changes, upgrades, projects, etc.) associated with equipment within the area.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM
• 7+ years of experience as a process engineer with automation expertise

Preferred Attributes

• Technical leadership
• Strong learning mindset with curiosity, adaptability, and technical aptitude to rapidly acquire new skills and technologies
• Proven experience delivering engineering projects in both greenfield and brownfield environments, including facility startup, commissioning, expansion, and retrofit initiatives
• Ability to lead first-time processes and navigating a cross-functional team through ambiguity
• Pharmaceutical cGMP experience and compliance
• OSHA and CFR knowledge
• Project management skills
• Adequate interpersonal and communications skills to be able to work effectively in a team-based environment
• Strong knowledge of Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk View SE
• Understanding of automated vision systems and robotics
• Ability to apply statistical thinking concepts to the analysis of manufacturing problems
• Experience in utilizing root cause analysis techniques for the systematic solving of problems

Schedule

8-hour days, Monday through Friday; rotational on-call support will be required.

Travel

Domestic and International travel may be required during build-up phase (25–50%). Domestic and International travel may be required after Operation Readiness (5–10%).