Principal - Engineer – Automation (Building Management Systems)

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us. 

Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for production of API molecules located in Houston, TX.  This facility is intended to provide APIs for current and future products, including new modalities.  This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the site technical team for the startup of a greenfield manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the organization, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations. 

Responsibilities:

The Principal Automation Engineer – Building Management Systems is a mid-level automation engineering position that will support the design and delivery of the automation platforms and associated system integration as part of Lilly’s manufacturing expansion. This role is intended to support manufacturing and admin buildings to design and deliver the site Building Management Systems (sometimes referred to as Building Automation Systems).  Key responsibilities include system design, process design, delivery strategy, factory acceptance testing, and installation and system commissioning.  Lilly Houston is part of Lilly’s Drug Substance (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) network.

During the design and delivery (startup expected 2029 to 2030) of the project this role will be integrated into the corporate automation team GPACE (Global Process Automation & Control Engineering) and then transition fully to a site-based process team position.  During delivery, this role will collaborate with A&E firms, system integrators, corporate and site engineering peers, and Tech@Lilly (Lilly’s corporate IT team) to develop and manage software/hardware design, testing, startup, commissioning, and qualification.

Post-project delivery, this role will support GMP manufacturing operations in the central engineering function.  This role will require significant collaboration, creativity and resilience as the site grows to a full scale GMP manufacturing site through start up.

Key Deliverables:

• Champion a strong safety culture, mentor and coach others, and utilize engineering and automation fundamental principles in design and problem solving.

• Collaborate with Lilly Engineering, A&E firms, and system integrators to develop requirements and specifications that will be the foundation for software development, hardware design, and system architecture.

• Support the design and delivery, collaborating with Lilly’s A&E and selected Building Management System supplier, of the site BMS platform.

• Support the design and delivery of AF&ID’s, P&ID’s, instrument specifications, sequences of operation, panel design, and testing strategies for the BMS platforms.

• Collaborate with Tech@Lilly to deliver a fully integrated Automation solution that is scaled for the needs of business if applicable.

• Participate in basic and detailed design that also includes staffing, statements of work, supplier management, and delivery strategies for automation systems.

• Participate in developing computer system validation strategies.

• Develop and build capabilities within the Houston site automation team.

• Develop site procedures for automation platforms and associated administration activities.

• Provide engineering support for Process Safety Management (PSM) and Process Hazard Reviews (PHRs).

• Provide technical oversight during development of equipment and process system User Requirements and related Design Review/Qualification documentation to ensure equipment and systems are appropriate for intended purpose. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related applicable discipline required.

• 5+ years of experience in Building Management or Building Automation Systems.

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing. 

• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1