Sr. Director - TSMS Visual Inspection

At 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. 

Sr. Director - TSMS Visual Inspection

Job Position Overview:

This position serves as a global technical expert for automated, semi-automated, and manual visual inspection of parenteral semi-finished products across Lilly manufacturing sites and external manufacturing partners. The role focuses on the evaluation, delivery, implementation, lifecycle support, and optimization of visual inspection technologies and equipment platforms to improve inspection performance, product quality, technical reliability, compliance readiness, and network standardization. The position partners cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Technical Services, Global Facilities Delivery, OEMs, suppliers, and site technical experts to resolve technical challenges, develop consistent engineering practices, support capital projects, guide technology assessments, and evaluate emerging inspection technologies.

Responsibilities:

The role is responsible for providing global technical leadership, consultation, discipline support, and execution support for visual inspection systems, equipment platforms, inspection processes, and related engineering deliverables across Lilly’s parenteral manufacturing network.

• Provide technical and discipline leadership for visual inspection, new technology development, technology assessments, engineering standards, master specifications, best practices, and coaching or mentorship of visual inspection staff.
• Ensure personal and team compliance with applicable regulatory and corporate policy requirements, appropriate safety practices and procedures, and evolving Quality or regulatory expectations related to visual inspection engineering.
• Lead and support engineering projects across Lilly sites globally to improve automated, semi-automated, and manual visual inspection system performance, inspection robustness, equipment reliability, and consistent site execution.
• Support evaluation and responsible implementation of AI-enabled visual inspection tools, machine vision analytics, and data-driven inspection capabilities in partnership with applicable technical, Quality, validation, and digital stakeholders.
• Consult with manufacturing sites and external partners on technical evaluations, master planning, technology assessments, troubleshooting, deviation support, root cause analysis, due diligence, technology transfer, engineering batches, and practical resolution of inspection-related issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Technical Services, Global Facilities Delivery, external manufacturing partners, suppliers, and OEMs to align technical approaches and execute complex initiatives across sites and functions.
• Provide technical consulting and leadership for capital projects, including facility design input, equipment layout, scope development, technical specifications, vision system requirements, implementation support, and qualification strategy.
• Serve as a platform owner or network technical lead for designated visual inspection equipment platforms or processes, promoting platform alignment, lifecycle management, maintenance efficiency, replicated design benefits, and strong OEM relationships.
• Develop and maintain guiding documentation, technical standards, best practices, protocols, technical reports, and knowledge-sharing materials that support inspection optimization, qualification, troubleshooting, site technical expert development, and functional capability building.
• Monitor external codes, standards, regulatory expectations, and industry learnings related to visual inspection and parenteral engineering; communicate relevant learnings within Lilly, influence external standards when appropriate, and support ongoing compliance.
• Investigate, develop, and integrate emerging visual inspection technologies and capabilities applicable to parenteral manufacturing that improve inspection performance, product quality, production reliability, and compliance readiness.
• Support Health Authority inspection, including interaction with regulators.

Basic Qualifications:

• Education Level: Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of engineering experience in cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing or manufacturing support, with relevant experience in parenteral visual inspection equipment and operations, including automated, semi-automated, and/or manual inspection equipment, process improvement, equipment lifecycle support, technical troubleshooting, qualification, and cross-functional project execution.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English

Additional Skills/ Preferences:

• Strong visual inspection experience in GMP-regulated environments, including automated, semi-automated, and manual inspection equipment; vision systems; inspection process optimization; troubleshooting; inspection testing; qualification support; and lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems, lead project implementation, support capital projects, assess technology advances in vial, cartridge, and syringe container closure systems, and evaluate AI-enabled or data-driven inspection technologies that may improve manufacturing performance across sites.
• Proven cross-functional communication and collaboration skills across sites, functions, external manufacturers, suppliers, OEMs, and global stakeholders to work effectively across boundaries, align technical strategies, share knowledge, and resolve complex inspection challenges.
• Track record of contributions to the industry through publications and presentation in key industry forums (e.g., PDA, BioPhorum).

Additional Information:

This role supports Lilly manufacturing sites and external manufacturing partners globally and may require work in manufacturing environments where safety equipment and/or gowning are required.

• Position Location: Indianapolis
• Travel Percentage (%): 10–20%, including domestic and international travel as business needs require

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 (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), 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

$156,000 - $275,000

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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