Senior Director of Engineering – Facilities and Utilities

Company: Eli Lilly and Company
Location: Houston
Posted on: January 1, 2026

Job Description:

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. Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for production of API molecules. This facility is intended to provide APIs for current and future products, including new modalities. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the leadership team for the startup of a manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the organization, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations. Position Overview: The Senior Director of Engineering – Facilities and Utilities is responsible for leading site operations related to facilities, utilities, and engineering, ensuring the infrastructure and leadership are in place to support both the site startup (targeted for 2029–2030) and long-term manufacturing operations. This role is part of the Lilly Site Lead Team , contributing to strategic direction, organizational development, and cross-functional coordination. During the project delivery and startup phase , the Senior Director will: Guide the development and implementation of systems and business processes required for GMP operations. Help build the site’s culture and operational readiness. Collaborate closely with other Site Lead Team members to manage evolving responsibilities and ensure alignment with corporate objectives. As the site transitions to full-scale GMP manufacturing, the role will evolve to focus on sustaining operational excellence, continuous improvement, and long-term strategic goals. Key Responsibilities: Pre-Startup and Startup Phase: Be a collaborative, inclusive, and energetic leader, supporting the broader Lead Team. Build an organization with the capability, capacity, and culture to operate the facility to the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence. Define site engineering facilities priorities and roadmap; develop and implement systems and processes by leveraging internal expertise and external best practices. Serve on the site HSE Lead Team to ensure a strong safety focus throughout project delivery and startup. Act as the end user representative during project delivery—providing input on design, commissioning, and startup to align with both project and long-term site goals. Develop and adapt the organizational structure to ensure the right resources and leadership are in place for full-scale GMP manufacturing. Ensure systems are established and executed to achieve a qualified and safe state for equipment, processes, utilities, and facilities. Build strong technical relationships with corporate functions and champion strategic initiatives at the site level. Post Startup: Lead collaboratively and energetically, supporting the broader Lead Team. Build an organization with the capability, capacity, and culture to operate the facility at the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence. Define engineering priorities and roadmap; implement systems and processes using both internal expertise and external best practices. Ensure safety is embedded throughout project delivery and startup as a member of the site HSE Lead Team. Represent end-user needs during project delivery—providing input on design, commissioning, and startup to align with both immediate and long-term goals. Develop and adjust the organizational structure to ensure the right resources and leadership are in place for GMP manufacturing. Establish and execute systems to achieve a qualified and safe state for equipment, processes, utilities, and facilities. Foster strong technical partnerships with corporate teams and champion strategic initiatives at the site level. Requirements: Bachelors Degree in Engineering 10 years of experience leading teams in the pharmaceutical industry 5 years of experience in API manufacturing Additional Preferences: Strong knowledge of cGMPs and their application in manufacturing operations. Proven ability to build effective relationships across all levels, including close collaboration with the Site Leadership Team. Demonstrated success in leading end-to-end projects on time, within budget, and to high standards. Skilled in developing high-performing, engaged teams and fostering a strong, safety-focused culture. Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM). 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 $ - $ 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. WeAreLilly

Keywords: Eli Lilly and Company, Conroe , Senior Director of Engineering – Facilities and Utilities, Manufacturing , Houston, Texas