MES Technical Lead

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. 

Responsibilities:

Lilly is growing, and we are building the Lilly Kenosha County site in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, to deliver innovative medicines to patients around the world. Join us at the start of something big: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help shape a state-of-the-art manufacturing site from the ground up.

This facility will put the latest technology to work, expanding Lilly's manufacturing capacity for parenteral (injectable) medicines, device assembly, and packaging operations. You will work with high-tech equipment and advanced, highly integrated, automated manufacturing systems, at a site designed with a focus on minimizing its impact on the environment.

As the MES Technical Lead within the Tech at Lilly function in Kenosha, you will lead the design, development, implementation, enhancement, and maintenance of the MES software application that connects production operations with business systems, helping optimize manufacturing processes, reduce errors, and increase efficiency. Your work will help get medicines to patients reliably.

Key Objectives/Deliverables:

• Bring your technical knowledge and experience to design, develop, implement, enhance, and maintain an MES solution that connects production processes with business systems, improving manufacturing efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Draw on a strong understanding of manufacturing processes and practices to build MES solutions that fit how the plant really runs.
• Combine technical and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing operations.
• Test, troubleshoot, and maintain the MES to keep the system reliable and the data accurate.
• Stay current with emerging MES technologies and bring new ideas to the site.
• Ensure documented processes and procedures are in place for all activities to meet quality and compliance standards, drawing on your experience with GMP regulations.
• Keep the MES compliant with industry-specific regulations, such as FDA guidelines and GMP requirements, as well as Lilly policies and procedures and local procedures, to protect product quality and patient safety.
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Communicate clearly and build strong working relationships across the site.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience working with MES technologies such as Rockwell Automation Pharma Suite, Emerson Syncade, Siemens Camstar, or Werum PAS-X.
• Expertise with programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, and SQL.
• Authorization 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-1

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

• Expertise with related technologies and standards, including ISA-95, OPC, and data historians.

• Expertise in integrating MES systems with other enterprise systems, such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), to ensure seamless data flow and system interoperability.

• Understanding of cybersecurity concepts and best practices related to MES technologies.

• Understanding of regulatory requirements in GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), such as FDA regulations for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

• Experience building solutions with an agile framework across the full solution lifecycle, from designing and implementing to automating, modernizing, maintaining, and optimizing.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and explain complex technical concepts clearly.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical issues related to MES systems, configurations, or integrations.

• Adaptability and flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities at once.

• Experience with Computer System Validations.

• Experience mentoring and developing technical team members and helping them grow.

• Exposure to international operations, diverse teams, global IT projects, or working in a global organization.

• Previous Agile experience.

• This is an on-site role position based at our Kenosha site.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the job requirements at the time it was prepared.  The job requirements of any position may change over time and may include additional responsibilities not specifically described in the job description. For GMP purposes, the job description should be updated for significant changes.  As always, you should consult with your supervisor regarding your actual job responsibilities and any related duties that may be required for the position.

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

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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