Sr. Advisor/Director – Process engineering -Peptides/Small molecule Scientist Full-time

Lilly Manufacturing and Quality Technical Hub Hyderabad

Lilly has made a strategic investment of more than $1B dollars to establish a Manufacturing and Quality technical hub. This hub will oversee the significant investment in contract manufacturing of starting materials and intermediates for API manufacturing in India and the technical services responsible for managing the scientific agenda for manufacturing and quality. The hub will be recruiting top talent in the areas of process engineering, chemistry, analytical and data sciences to build a cutting-edge scientific organization supporting the exciting manufacturing portfolio of Lilly.

Job Description

Role Overview and Key Responsibilities

Process Engineer provides technical leadership and hands-on engineering support for the design, optimization, and scale-up of laboratory-based processes that enable robust manufacturing of drug substances and drug products. This role partners closely with development scientists, and cross-functional engineering groups to deliver high-quality technical solutions, reliable laboratory operations, and effective technology transfer.

Technical Development & Support

• Partner with TS/MS scientists in US and Ireland to design, develop, and refine laboratory-scale processes.
• Establish, maintain, and optimize unit operations used in the process development lab (e.g., chromatography, filtration, mixing, crystallization, upstream/downstream studies, formulation experiments, and others).
• Develop scale-down models that accurately represent full-scale operations and use them to support process characterization, robustness studies, and troubleshooting.
• Conduct hands-on laboratory experimentation, data analysis, and technical reporting to support key development and manufacturing decisions.

Process Optimization & Technology Transfer

• Support tech transfer activities by preparing process documentation, generating process parameters, and enabling smooth movement of processes from lab to pilot or manufacturing scale.
• Support technical process issues and to implement long-term improvements informed by lab experimentation.
• Apply engineering fundamentals and first-principles thinking to develop innovative solutions, improve process understanding, and enhance robustness.

Laboratory Operations & Safety

• Oversee safe operation of laboratory equipment and ensure compliance with EH&S expectations.
• Support equipment specification, procurement, installation, and qualification for lab-scale systems.
• Maintain high-quality documentation practices, including experimental protocols, batch records, and engineering analyses.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with automation, analytical, mechanical, and instrumentation engineering groups to introduce new tools, models, and technologies.
• Partner with Quality, TS/MS, and manufacturing to align development activities with long-term production needs.
• Provide mentoring, training, and knowledge sharing to laboratory personnel and junior engineers.

Innovation & External Engagement

• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in process development.
• Leverage external collaborations, vendor interactions, and professional networks to strengthen internal capabilities.

Education and Experience Requirement:

• Ph.D. in scientific disciplines of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fields, or equivalent industry experience /Ph.D + Post Doc in Chemistry (focusing more Peptide chemistry) with 12+ years
• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in process development, lab-scale engineering, or manufacturing support in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or similar industries.
• Experience with process modeling software (e.g., Aspen, MATLAB, statistical design tools).
• Working knowledge of GMP expectations and laboratory quality systems.
• Experience with 3D modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks) for equipment design or fixture development.
• Demonstrated experience in technology transfer and scale-up/scale-down, in laboratory-scale unit operations relevant to the role (e.g., chromatography, TFF, bioreactors, mixing systems, filtration and drying technologies).
• Strong analytical and PC skills, including data modeling, statistical methods, and ability to interpret experimental results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and ability to work independently with minimal direction.

Other Information:

• Some travel (domestic and international) less than 5% may be required.

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 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.