Senior Director, Novel Drug Delivery Technologies
Eli Lilly and Company
August 20, 2026
Remote friendly (Boston, MA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Position Overview
Senior technical leader for Lilly’s Drug Delivery group, defining and driving the scientific and translational strategy for novel drug delivery modalities (including inhaled/pulmonary and emerging platforms) to enhance delivery of biologics, small molecules, and gene therapies beyond conventional parenteral administration.
Key Responsibilities
- Define scientific vision and multi-year technical strategy; guide build-vs-buy and external innovation decisions (licensing, partnerships, sponsored research).
- Act as internal/external technical authority; lead cross-functional/cross-company teams to translate platform concepts from feasibility through design control, using AI/ML-enabled simulation and data analysis tools.
- Build external network (academic collaborators, consortia, regulatory bodies); publish and represent Lilly in regulatory/standards discussions.
- Design and oversee CRO/academic preclinical safety/performance and efficacy study strategy to de-risk IND-enabling and design-control decisions.
- Mentor and coach engineers/scientists (including beyond direct reporting line) and lead scientific/process improvements.
Basic Requirements
- PhD in biomedical/mechanical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, aerosol science, or related field.
- 8+ years relevant industry/translational experience in novel non-conventional drug delivery modalities; deep understanding of physical/biological mechanisms.
- Ability to translate mechanistic preclinical understanding into IND-enabling or design-control-ready plans.
- Working knowledge of design controls and quality systems in regulated industry.
- Hands-on use of AI/ML-enabled tools (e.g., LLMs, modeling copilots, literature/data assistants).
- Demonstrated leadership/mentoring and technical communication; publication and/or patent record.
Additional Preferences
- External relationship building; comfort representing technical position.
- Breadth across multiple delivery modalities (e.g., pulmonary/inhaled, ocular, transdermal).
Benefits (if applicable)
Eligible for company bonus; comprehensive benefits including 401(k), medical/dental/vision, life insurance, time off/leave, and well-being benefits.
Location/Travel
Boston, MA; 10–15% travel.
Senior technical leader for Lilly’s Drug Delivery group, defining and driving the scientific and translational strategy for novel drug delivery modalities (including inhaled/pulmonary and emerging platforms) to enhance delivery of biologics, small molecules, and gene therapies beyond conventional parenteral administration.
Key Responsibilities
- Define scientific vision and multi-year technical strategy; guide build-vs-buy and external innovation decisions (licensing, partnerships, sponsored research).
- Act as internal/external technical authority; lead cross-functional/cross-company teams to translate platform concepts from feasibility through design control, using AI/ML-enabled simulation and data analysis tools.
- Build external network (academic collaborators, consortia, regulatory bodies); publish and represent Lilly in regulatory/standards discussions.
- Design and oversee CRO/academic preclinical safety/performance and efficacy study strategy to de-risk IND-enabling and design-control decisions.
- Mentor and coach engineers/scientists (including beyond direct reporting line) and lead scientific/process improvements.
Basic Requirements
- PhD in biomedical/mechanical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, aerosol science, or related field.
- 8+ years relevant industry/translational experience in novel non-conventional drug delivery modalities; deep understanding of physical/biological mechanisms.
- Ability to translate mechanistic preclinical understanding into IND-enabling or design-control-ready plans.
- Working knowledge of design controls and quality systems in regulated industry.
- Hands-on use of AI/ML-enabled tools (e.g., LLMs, modeling copilots, literature/data assistants).
- Demonstrated leadership/mentoring and technical communication; publication and/or patent record.
Additional Preferences
- External relationship building; comfort representing technical position.
- Breadth across multiple delivery modalities (e.g., pulmonary/inhaled, ocular, transdermal).
Benefits (if applicable)
Eligible for company bonus; comprehensive benefits including 401(k), medical/dental/vision, life insurance, time off/leave, and well-being benefits.
Location/Travel
Boston, MA; 10–15% travel.