Corporate Automation Program Lead – API Drug Substance

Company: Eli Lilly and Company
Location: Huntsville
Posted on: March 14, 2026

Job Description:

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world. Position Brand Description: Lilly is at a critical juncture as we tool up to realize the potential of our product pipeline. We are building new processing capabilities around the world, and emphasizing emerging, innovative processing technologies, such as continuous processing and advanced biotech platforms. Lilly is in the process of expanding manufacturing with three new sites in Lebanon, Indiana and recent acquisition and expansion at Kenosha, Wisconsin. In addition, Lilly announced that four new pharmaceutical manufacturing sites will be constructed in the United States (Texas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Virginia) that includes both active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and parenteral manufacturing for future injectable therapies (Drug Product). The Corporate Automation Program Lead – API is a senior automation position that will lead the design and delivery of major capital projects as part of Lilly’s manufacturing expansion. This role is intended to lead one or more project workstreams for the automation function including design, scheduling, cost management, staffing, and qualification in the Drug Substance (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) network. This role be part of Lilly’s Global Process Automation & Control Engineering (GPACE) team in Corporate Engineering. GPACE provides automation, measurement, and process control solutions. GPACE is a technical resource for training, standards, capital project delivery, and Lilly’s standard automation platforms. GPACE’s primary customers are global manufacturing and development sites, Corporate IT, and peer groups such as Global Facilities Delivery (GFD). The Corporate Automation Program Lead role requires a 4-year engineering degree or related science field. The candidate will need to be flexible on location (including full relocation) and have the ability to travel both to the US and OUS. Key Objectives/Deliverables: Be a champion for health & safety, inclusion, ethics, and compliance. Partner with Global Facilities Delivery, Global Groups, OEM’s, Engineering firms, system integrators, and site teams to lead multiple workstreams on the design, installation, and qualification API pharmaceutical assets at a new greenfield manufacturing site. Lead and support the development of statements of work, supplier identification, and automation supplier selection. Lead and support one or more integration suppliers to develop, test, and implement software and hardware for manufacturing operations. Lead and support the development of delivery strategies, quality assessments, computer system validation, and Commissioning & Qualification verification plans. Collaborate with site automation leadership to integrate resources into the project team. Support and assist with site hiring and building capabilities within the team. Collaborate with other corporate engineering groups and Lilly IT to develop delivery strategies and execution plans. Manage project delivery metrics and communications across multiple workstreams to key stakeholders and leadership. Be responsible for project resourcing, scope, cost management, and schedule conformance. Escalate issues to cross-functional leadership teams as needed. Coach and mentor others. Basic Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Engineering with experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Must have experience with Emerson DeltaV DCS platforms or related DCS systems. Experience with managing automation integrators to design and deliver software and hardware. Minimum 5 years of Process Automation / Process Control experience. Must have experience in Commissioning and Qualification Minimum 10 years of Project and/or Program management experience. Additional Skills/Preferences: Technical knowledge in one or more automation platforms including Emerson DeltaV, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, or other related systems. Technical knowledge in process instrumentation. Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Ability to influence without authority. Ability to clarify and simplify complex issues. Strong trust building with peers and leaders. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Collaborative skills with operations, process engineering, quality, manufacturing science, and other project & manufacturing team members. Other Information: The Automation Program Lead – Drug Substance role will initially start out in Indianapolis, IN but will transition full time to the site location, currently targeted for Huntsville, AL. There can be some accommodation for remote work until the site is ready to hosts employees. There will also be project travel associated with the role, both US and OUS to support design reviews, FAT’s, and other project related activities. Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form ( https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation ) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response. Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups. Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $117,000 - $189,200 Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees. WeAreLilly

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