MES Architect - IDAP Tech@Lilly

Role Summary

As the MES Architect of Tech at Lilly for the Indianapolis Device Assembly & Packaging (IDAP) site, you will be responsible for leading the site level MES strategy and implementation, driving the transition from legacy systems to the PharmaSuite platform. You will serve as the lead PharmaSuite Solution Architect for IDAP and act as a strategic partner to Global MES, Quality, Engineering, and Operations teams, ensuring technology investments align with business objectives and enable scalable growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the MES transformation for IDAP, transitioning from legacy systems to PharmaSuite.
• Define and own the multi-phase MES deployment roadmap in alignment with site expansion and product launches.
• Serve as the MES Solution Architect responsible for design, integration, and standardization of PharmaSuite at IDAP.
• Partner with Global MES Program and system integrators to ensure strategy alignment, system compatibility, and reusability.
• Influence long-term MES vision across IDAP and represent the site in cross-site and enterprise-level MES strategy discussions.
• Provide technical leadership in the architecture, configuration, deployment, and optimization of PharmaSuite.
• Collaborate with the global MES team to align on data models, batch execution logic, and system interfaces between PharmaSuite and adjacent systems including ERP (SAP), EWM, and Serialization systems.
• Lead the technical design reviews and participate in vendor evaluations and capability assessments.
• Ensure proper design for performance, scalability, and high availability in the MES environment.
• Drive implementation of PharmaSuite capabilities such as Review by Exception, Recipe Management, Equipment Management, and EBR authoring.
• Support validation activities including authoring/reviewing of design specs, test plans, and execution records per GMP requirements.
• Mentor and grow MES technical talent within IDAP, establishing a strong site knowledge base in PharmaSuite.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Operations, QA, and Digital Plant leaders to ensure MES supports evolving site needs.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, technical rigor, and knowledge sharing.
• Actively engage with peers across Lilly sites to align on technical standards and share lessons learned.
• Lead project planning, resource alignment, and status reporting for MES workstreams.
• Track key milestones, risks, and dependencies to ensure timely and successful deployments.
• Ensure strong change control, configuration management, and audit trail compliance for all MES changes.
• Prepare and support site readiness for inspections, walkthroughs, and audits related to MES.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, computer engineering or related field.

Qualifications

• Required: 3+ years of MES experience, with at least 3 years directly in PharmaSuite deployments; 7+ years of experience in regulated pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing environments; experience leading MES system design, implementation, and validation; experience in stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination.
• Preferred: Experience with Microsoft Office Suite; strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated leadership abilities; ability to work independently with minimal supervision; problem-solving and decision-making skills; intermediate SQL and relational database concepts; knowledge of computer hardware and software; excellent organizational skills.

Additional Requirements

• Role is based onsite at Lilly Tech Center South (IDAP) site.
• Occasional travel to other Lilly sites or vendor locations may be required (approximately 5–10%).
• Flexibility for off-hours work during implementation windows or system cutovers is expected.