Sr. Principal Engineer - Bioprocess

Job ID: R-101462Company: LillyLocation: Richmond, Virginia, United States of AmericaJob Type: Full TimeCategory: EngineeringPosted Date: 2026-08-24At 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 monoclonal antibodies, bioconjugates, and aseptic drug product manufacturing in Goochland County, Virginia. This facility is intended to provide capacity for current and future products. The successful candidate will help to build the organization, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations.Responsibilities:We are seeking a Sr. Principal Bioprocess Engineer to support our new Manufacturing Facility in Goochland County, Virginia. Process Engineering is core to delivering a right first-time facility start up and continued support of ongoing manufacturing operations into the future.Some key responsibilities of the role include; Facility Start-Up Phase; Provide Process Engineering support to the Global Facility Delivery team (Lilly’s Global Large Scale Capital Delivery Team) with a strong focus on right first time and on schedule facility start-up (e.g. design reviews, process safety assessments, User Requirements, C&Q support, Unit Operation Shakedown, Facility Run Rate Readiness) Define and own relevant aspects of the overall integrated Operational Readiness Plan (e.g. SOP development, maintenance strategy, automation optimization, run rate readiness, MES EBR requirements, alarm requirements, Performance Qualification Study Requirements / Protocol Development etc.) Own the Performance Qualification strategy and execution for area of responsibility Support initial Operations Training requirements as the Equipment and Area SME Lead/support the tech transfer of new processes into the facility Post facility start-up phase; Provide process engineering support through application of process engineering fundamentals Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to equipment and processes as core member of cross-functional process team. Utilise root cause analysis techniques to investigate process and equipment issues and deliver robust and sustainable corrective and preventative actions Monitor, assess and document equipment performance to maintain ongoing qualification. Develop and maintain the basis of safety for process equipment Develop and implement unit operation and equipment control strategy Basic QualificationsBachelor's Degree in Process, Chemical, Biochemical Engineering or related applicable discipline7+ years of process team experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, preferably monoclonal antibody manufacturingQualified 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-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1Additional PreferencesDeep technical interest and understanding in the field of monoclonal antibody manufacturing and Bioprocess Engineering. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a Process Team consisting of a diverse group of management, production, science, quality and engineering professionals. Creativity to identify improvement opportunities and the tenacity/initiative to see them implemented. Guidance/mentoring of others through processes. Flexibility to meet business needs. 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. 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 (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (View email address on click.appcast.io), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is$79,500 - $171,600Full-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.#WeAreLillySkillsprocess engineeringgmp manufacturingbioprocess engineeringfacility start-upprocess safety assessmentunit operation shakedownrun rate readinesssop developmentautomation optimizationmes ebralarm requirementsperformance qualificationtech transferroot cause analysiscorrective and preventive actionsequipment control strategycontinuous improvementpharmaceutical manufacturingmonoclonal antibody manufacturingcross-functional team leadershipprocess improvementequipment performance monitoringsafety developmentoperations traininganalytical skillsproblem solving