Principal Engineer - Parenteral Packaging R&d

Eli Lilly Eli Lilly · Pharma · Indianapolis, IN

This Principal Engineer role in Parenteral Packaging R&D at Eli Lilly focuses on the selection, development, and qualification of container closure systems for drug products. The role involves collaborating with various teams, applying scientific principles to solve complex challenges, and driving technology innovation. While the role mentions collaborating with a data science SME to adopt AI technology, AI/ML is not the core craft, and the primary focus is on packaging engineering within the healthcare domain.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead selection, development, assessment and qualification of container closure systems including vials, prefilled syringes and cartridges, throughout Lilly's new drug product development cycle for commercialization.
  2. Collaborate with formulation and analytical chemistry partners to perform mechanistic research and develop a robust understanding of key physical and chemical properties of packaging materials and their interactions with drug products.
  3. Apply scientific principles and problem-solving approaches to advance fundamental understanding of complex challenges and develop innovative packaging solutions that enable drug product safety and efficacy.
  4. Work with internal and external subject matter experts (SMEs) to evaluate and develop new test methods for container closure qualification and establish robust control strategies.
  5. Partner with parenteral filling SMEs, external component suppliers, CDMOs, and OEMs to design and implement de-risked, viable filling processes for parenteral packaging components supporting clinical trials and potential commercial manufacturing.

Skills

Required

  • Container closure systems (vials, prefilled syringes, cartridges)
  • Parenteral packaging development
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams (CMC, drug product development, device design, manufacturing, quality)
  • Mechanistic research and understanding of material properties and drug interactions
  • Scientific principles and problem-solving
  • Test method development and qualification
  • Parenteral filling processes
  • Technical documentation (protocols, reports)
  • Regulatory submission support
  • Supplier specification definition
  • Technology innovation and evaluation
  • Technical leadership
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, packaging, materials science or pharmaceutical science or related field with 5+ years of experience
  • Experience with combination products, drug delivery device, container closure system and/or primary packaging

Nice to have

  • Master's degree in engineering, packaging, materials science or pharmaceutical science or related field with 3+ years of experience
  • Quality By Design (QbD)
  • ICH guidelines
  • Parenteral packaging qualification experience
  • Ability to influence and operate cross-functionally

What the JD emphasized

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, packaging, materials science or pharmaceutical science or related field with 5+ years of experience in chemical, materials, biomedical, packaging engineering or relevant field.
  • Previous experience with combination products, drug delivery device, container closure system and/or primary packaging