Advisor, Automation Engineering

Key Responsibilities

Build, program, deploy, and maintain laboratory automation systems supporting in vitro pharmacology, chemistry, and related pipeline workflows Develop and validate automated methods, translating scientific protocols into robust, reproducible automated processes Partner directly with scientific users to gather requirements, understand their workflows, weigh practical tradeoffs, and deliver automation solutions that meet their needs Deploy and support automation systems tailored to specific pipeline processes and throughput needs Provide ongoing support for deployed systems, responding to user needs and keeping automation running reliably day to day Develop clear documentation, quick-reference guides, and ongoing support resources that help teams operate automated workflows independently Plan and deliver hands-on training to local end users on new instrumentation, automated methods, and protocols, tailoring instruction to varying levels of automation experience and ensuring users can operate systems confidently and independently Resolve hardware, software, and integration issues to keep systems running reliably Strengthen data reproducibility across automated processes through sound standards, controls, and qualification practices Integrate automation with scheduling and lab orchestration software and with ELN/LIMS platforms such as Benchling Apply LLM-based coding tools and agentic assistants to accelerate method development, scripting, and systems integration Contribute to the generation of large-scale, structured datasets suitable for AI/ML applications Build effective working relationships across scientific and engineering teams to ensure automation solutions fit real-world use

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, biological sciences, or related field with 5+ years of hands-on laboratory automation experience.

Additional Skills/Preferences: Hands-on expertise with the Hamilton automation ecosystem and a track record of building and deploying integrated automation across other platforms (e.g. acoustic dispensers (e.g., Echo), oligonucleotide synthesizers, robotic arms, Tecan instruments) Experience automating in vitro pharmacology and chemistry workflows.

• Strong method development and qualification skills, with a focus on reproducibility.
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with scientific users to gather requirements and support adoption.
• Experience with schedulers and end-to-end lab orchestration.
• Experience integrating automation with ELN/LIMS, such as Benchling.
• Experience with automated sample management systems.
• Proficiency in scripting or programming for automation.

• Experience using LLM-based coding tools or agentic assistants to accelerate method development, scripting, or systems integration.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build durable working relationships with scientific users.
• 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.

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 $130,500 - $211,200 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