Sr. Principal Engineer- Utilities

About the role

Lilly is constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for monoclonal antibodies and bioconjugates in Goochland County, Virginia. This site will provide capacity for current and future products. The Utilities Engineer will help build the organization, the facility, and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations, establishing and maintaining reliable, qualified clean utility systems and supporting grey systems for biotech manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe working environment by following safety rules and helping improve the safety culture.
• Provide clean‑system engineering expertise as an active member of the area team.
• Maintain clean‑system unit operations and equipment in a qualified and reliable state.
• Establish and monitor critical parameters for all clean systems to keep them in control.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts to resolve difficult unit‑operation, equipment, and operational issues.
• Evaluate activities for impact on the qualified state of equipment and apply appropriate tools (e.g., change control).
• Support grey‑utility facility start‑up and provide engineering support to the Global Facility Delivery Team, including design reviews, process safety assessments, user requirements, commissioning & qualification support, unit‑operation shakedown, and operational readiness.
• Define and own aspects of the integrated operational readiness plan (SOP development, maintenance strategy, automation optimization, pre‑startup safety reviews, alarm requirements, performance qualification protocols, etc.).
• Own the qualified state of equipment for the assigned area.
• Develop and implement control strategies to sustain and optimize utilities systems in support of manufacturing.
• Support initial operations training as the equipment and area subject‑matter expert.
• Take responsibility for safe design and operation of equipment; actively participate in safety audits, hazard reviews, and pre‑startup safety reviews.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for equipment and processes, monitor utility systems, optimize performance, and lead root‑cause analyses for issues.
• Document issues, ensure appropriate corrective actions, and communicate effectively with operations and crafts personnel.
• Maintain qualified and reliable state of unit operations/equipment, manage system/component classification, maintenance strategy, and lead IQ/OQ/PQ activities.
• Develop scope for capital projects, act as user representative, understand equipment reliability, and coach operators and maintenance technicians.
• Identify and drive improvement opportunities (procedural changes, upgrades, projects) within the area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Engineering or a related technical field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in utility engineering teams, preferably in a GMP manufacturing environment.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis (no sponsorship provided).

Skills

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with site stakeholders, including site lead team, production, quality, safety, and global engineering groups.
• Travel up to 10 % (including off‑site Lilly locations, conferences, training, or capital‑project support).
• Knowledge of one or more areas: Clean Utilities, Black Utilities, HVAC, Electrical.
• Excellent communication skills.

Pay

The anticipated wage for this position is $66,000 – $171,600 per year. Full‑time equivalent employees are also eligible for a company bonus based on company and individual performance.

Benefits

• Company‑sponsored 401(k) and pension plans
• 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