Corporate Automation Project Engineer - Drug Product

Company: Eli Lilly and Company
Location: Richmond
Posted on: January 12, 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 unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. Lilly is a fortune five hundred company that has been in operation for over 140 years. We make medicine with safety first and quality always while living our company values of Integrity, Excellence, and Respect for People. 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 would be built in the United States that includes both active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and parenteral manufacturing for future injectable therapies (Drug Product); this role will specifically focus efforts at a new site in Richmond, VA. The Corporate Automation Project Engineer is a senior automation position that will lead the automation design and delivery to major capital projects and corporate initiatives with a focus on the Global Parenteral Network and the Global Packaging Network. This role is intended to lead one or more project workstreams for the design and delivery of Automation platforms for key parenteral systems including filling, formulation, freeze dryers, equipment preparation, labs, and associated integration with IT platforms with a strong focus on Rockwell Automation based embedded and OEM provided solutions. This role will partner with A&E firms and other Lilly consultants to develop conceptual, basic, and detailed design packages. The role will also collaborate with selected suppliers on build, FAT, and site startup activities. This role will 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 Project Engineer role requires a 4-year engineering degree or related science field. The candidate will need to be flexible on location and have the ability to travel both US and OUS. Key Objectives/Deliverables Be a champion for health & safety, diversity & inclusion, ethics, and compliance. Partner with Global Facilities Delivery, Global Groups, OEM’s, Engineering firms, and site teams to design, install, and qualify key site parenteral platforms including autoclaves, freeze dryers, formulation units, filling lines, and inspection machines. Lead and support the development of statements of work and automation supplier and integrator selection. Lead and support delivery strategies, quality assessments, and CSV and C&Q verification plans. Collaborate with site automation leadership to integrate resources into the project team. Assist with site hiring and capability building. Collaborate with other corporate engineering groups and Lilly IT to develop delivery strategies and execution plans. Coach and mentor others. Basic Requirements: Bachelor's in Engineering (preferably Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, or Chemical) Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Experience on Rockwell Automation Platforms including FT View and Control Logix platforms Minimum 3 years of Process Automation / Process Control experience. Experience in Commissioning and Qualification Additional Preferences: Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Collaborative skills with operations, process engineering, and other project & manufacturing team members. Integration of OT and IT platforms. Project management experience. Technical knowledge in process instrumentation. Ability to influence without authority. Ability to clarify and simplify complex issues. Strong trust building with peers and leaders. Knowledge of GMP’s and pharmaceutical manufacturing, preferably Drug Product Aseptic Filling, Formulation, or Lyophilization. Knowledge in Microsoft Operating Systems Knowledge in Databases Other Information: The Project Engineer role will initially start out in Indianapolis, IN but will transition full time to a project site location. During or after completion of this project, it is likely that this role will transition to a permanent site role. There can be some accommodation for remote work until the project location is determined. There will also be project travel (would not typically exceed 25%) associated with the role, both US and OUS to support design reviews, FAT’s, and other project related activities. 8 hour days - Monday through Friday, overtime and some weekend/holiday may be required for project support. 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 $66,000 - $171,600 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

Keywords: Eli Lilly and Company, Norfolk , Corporate Automation Project Engineer - Drug Product, Engineering , Richmond, Virginia