Digital Plant Scientist

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.

Organization Overview

Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for production of API molecules located in Lebanon, IN (Lilly Lebanon API). This facility is Lilly’s largest investment in manufacturing capacity and is intended to provide APIs for current and future products, including new modalities. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the startup team for a greenfield manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the processes and facility to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations.

Main Purpose and Objectives

The Digital Plant Scientist is part of the Lilly Lebanon API Technical Services / Manufacturing Science (TS/MS) team and provides technical leadership and expertise in the development, implementation, and maintenance of digital solutions which includes models, data systems, and process monitoring tools to support continuous manufacturing operations at the LP1 site throughout startup, implementation, and day-to-day operations.

In the project delivery and startup phase (expected 2026–2029), the Digital Plant Scientist role will be fluid and dynamic as we support project delivery, build a new organization, develop and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to support GMP operations, and build the site culture. This will require significant collaboration, creativity, and resilience as the site grows to full-scale GMP manufacturing through startup.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain material tracking models using mathematical and first-principles approaches to support batch genealogy and release processes in continuous manufacturing.
• Design and execute digital solutions for process monitoring, data analysis, and control strategy across MES, DeltaV, and batch record analytics platforms.
• Lead integration of batch data products and analytical/parametric data management solutions using appropriate tools (e.g., Python, SIMCA, R) within a cGMP environment.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with process scientists, process Engineering, QA, IT/Automation, operations, and development to identify, build, and validate digital tools that support a robust control strategy.
• Own model lifecycle management including documentation, verification protocols, ongoing monitoring plans, and training for model users to ensure models remain in a verified state and data integrity is maintained.
• Develop and implement business processes for the use of models and digital solutions in manufacturing, partnering with QA and Operations to ensure compliance.
• Build technical expertise in continuous manufacturing digital systems and demonstrate strong data-driven decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.

Minimum Requirements

• PhD in Chemistry (Organic, Synthetic, Medicinal, or Analytical) or Engineering; OR BS/MS in a related scientific or engineering discipline with at least 3 years of pharmaceutical manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated analytical, statistical, and problem-solving skills applicable to manufacturing science.
• Strong collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional team environments.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to facilitate technical discussions with senior stakeholders.

Additional Preferences

• Experience building and maintaining models (e.g., chemometric, material tracking, or process models) in a cGMP manufacturing environment.
• Prior experience with continuous manufacturing processes, including process monitoring and control strategy development.
• Proficiency in data analysis, visualization, and statistical tools (e.g., Python, R, SIMCA, JMP).
• Familiarity with manufacturing control systems (MES, DeltaV) and batch record/data integration workflows.
• Experience with troubleshooting, investigation, root cause analysis, and risk assessment in a cGMP environment.
• Prior work with cross-functional teams spanning Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, IT/Automation, and Validation.

Additional Information

This role requires an initial training period of at least 6 months at the Eli Lilly Kinsale, Ireland facility before transitioning to full-time work at the LP1 site in Lebanon, IN. The Digital Plant Scientist is expected to partner with Development Scientists, Engineering, Operations, Materials Management, Quality & Regulatory, and IT/Automation to develop and implement digital solutions supporting a robust control strategy.

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/workplaceaccommodation) for further assistance.

Lilly does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

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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.

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