Sr. Principal Scientist - Mes Process Area Lead

Eli Lilly Eli Lilly · Pharma · Lebanon, IN

This role focuses on the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Electronic Batch Record (EBR) for a new, digitally native API manufacturing facility. The Sr. Principal Scientist will lead the MES technical agenda, translate manufacturing requirements into MES solutions, and ensure compliant, data-driven production. The role involves system ownership, support, risk assessment, and developing best practices for MES-enabled operations within a GMP environment.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own the MES technical agenda for your process areas — from design through operational readiness.
  2. Shape how digital batch records are designed, challenging assumptions and driving alignment across engineering, ops, and QA.
  3. Provide system owner and support model leadership for MES production environments during manufacturing start-up phases.
  4. Support risk assessments, deviation investigations, and problem resolution related to MES-enabled operations.
  5. Build the playbook — establish best practices that will scale across the site and potentially influence Lilly's broader MES network.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or related field
  • Minimum 5 years experience
  • 2 years within a GMP manufacturing environment or equivalent regulated manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated history of working across multi-disciplinary teams in the Automation/MES space

Nice to have

  • Prior experience implementing electronic batch records
  • Demonstrated capability to critically evaluate technical issues
  • manage multiple priorities
  • meet project deadlines
  • Oral and written communication skills

What the JD emphasized

  • GMP manufacturing environment
  • regulated manufacturing environment