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New · posted Nov 11

Eli Lilly · Pharmaceuticals

Forward Deployment Lead, R&D Quality Strategy & Transformation

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • On-site
  • Full-time
  • Manager
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EmploymentFull-time
DeadlineOpen until filled

The role

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.

Purpose: The purpose of the Forward Development Lead role is to own end-to-end delivery of applications that support the R&D Quality portfolio , from problem identification through production deployment, adoption, and sustained value realization, and to build a team of Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) who do the same. FDEs are hybrid technical practitioners embedded with the business, working at the intersection of software engineering, computer system validation, and customer-facing problem solving. In a GxP-regulated environment, this role uses Computer System Validation (CSV) procedures as a source of speed and business value, shaping scope, risk categorization, and validation strategy so that compliance accelerates outcomes rather than delaying them.

This role collaborates with members of the R&D Quality team, Tech@Lilly delivery partners, Business Quality Assurance (BQA), Computer Systems Quality Assurance (CSQA), and functional leaders across Research & Development at Lilly. The role is accountable for demonstrating value realization across an assigned asset portfolio while developing the next generation of FDEs within Lilly.

Additional Preferences

  • Advanced degree preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience owning products or capabilities end-to-end, from concept through adoption and value realization.
  • Hands-on technical fluency: able to write and review code, understand data architectures, and evaluate technical trade-offs.
  • Working knowledge of CSA, CSV, GxP requirements, and GAMP5; ability to use procedural frameworks to shape delivery strategy rather than treat them as gates.
  • Working knowledge of AI/ML governance in regulated decision-making, including validation, drift, and lifecycle expectations.
  • Track record of delivering LLM-based solutions in Clinical, R&D, or regulated Quality settings with measurable business impact (e.g., cycle time, cost, quality, adoption).
  • Experience coaching or developing junior technical staff.
  • Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python for data manipulation and automation.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate) and enterprise data platforms.
  • Experience with change management and user adoption strategies.
  • Agile or product management experience.
  • Strong ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership.
  • Prior experience in pharmaceutical R&D quality is a strong asset.

What you need

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, data analysis, analytics, informatics, life sciences, engineering, or related STEM field.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in data sciences, product development, computer system delivery, or quality within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
  • Minimum of 2 years in a people leader or senior technical capacity.

What you'll do

  • Owns the full lifecycle of an assigned portfolio of quality data and computer system assets, from concept and requirements through deployment, adoption, and sustained business outcomes; no handoffs that diffuse accountability.
  • Authors product and system requirements, oversees translation of business problems into technical specifications and defines the measurable success criteria against which delivery is evaluated.
  • Operates as a hands-on technical practitioner: reviews code, evaluates architecture decisions, quality-checks technical work, and directs internal and external delivery resources.
  • Applies the CSV framework as a delivery accelerator, using GSOP-1201 and related artifacts to shape validation strategy in service of business outcomes.
  • Builds and coaches a team of Forward Deployed Engineers, growing the pipeline of technical talent capable of operating at the intersection of business, technology, and quality.
  • Tracks and reports value realization against defined metrics; accountable to the Results Management Office for outcome delivery.
  • Partners with Tech@Lilly, BQA, and CSQA to ensure enterprise alignment, validation compliance, and long-term sustainability of assets.
  • Owns user enablement, adoption strategy, and change management coordination in partnership with OCM resources; success is measured by adoption and business outcomes, not deployment completion.
  • Escalates and manages complex issues, ensuring they are well researched, understood, and resolved.
  • Represents the R&D Quality FDE function in cross-functional forums, influencing technology and quality decisions across the organization.

Pay and benefits

$129,000 – $211,200 a year

Employer provided
How this compares

Additional Information

  • 10% travel may be required.
  • This is an onsite position based in Indianapolis, IN. This is not a remote role.
  • Lilly may provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role for internal applicants only

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

$129,000 - $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.

  • Company bonus

  • 401(k)

  • Pension

  • Vacation benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits

  • Flexible spending accounts

Where you'll work

Indianapolis, INOn-siteOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)

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Job intelligence

The context around this role

Live data · November 11, 2026

Salary intelligence

How the pay compares

This role's midpoint is 7% above the US median for Software Quality & CSV roles at this level.

This roleEmployer provided

$129,000 to $211,200 a year

Manager roles in the US6 roles publishing pay

Middle half $130,500 to $164,000, median $159,250
Annual base pay
Annual base payLowMedianHigh
This role$129,000—$211,200
All US$130,500$159,250$164,000

This role: Eli Lilly's own published range. Comparisons: the base pay employers published on open Software Quality & CSV roles at the same level on Regulatory Jobs, November 11, 2026. Nothing is estimated.

Career trajectory

Where this role sits in Software Quality & CSV

The general path across 59 open Software Quality & CSV roles on Regulatory Jobs, with the titles they carry most. Not Lilly's own promotion track.

  1. Earlier

    Associate & Specialist

    Often: Software Quality Engineer · Computer Systems Validation Intern

    $95K median7 open
  2. One step back

    Senior & Principal

    Often: Senior Software Quality Engineer · Senior Software QA Engineer

    $133K median36 open
  3. This role

    Manager

    Often: Forward Deployment Lead, R&D Quality Strategy & Transformation · Manager, Computer System Validation

    $159K median6 open
  4. Next step

    Director

    Often: Associate Director, IT GxP & Quality Systems · Digital & Data Quality Director

    $232K median9 open
  5. Later

    VP & Executive

    Often: Vice President, Quality Management Systems and Digital Compliance

Skills DNA

What this role leans on

How many of the posting's 29 duty, requirement and summary lines touch each area. The posting's emphasis, not a proficiency score.

GMP and compliance: 3 linesDocumentation and SOPs: 3 linesValidation and qualification: 4 linesData and digital systems: 5 linesCollaboration and leadership: 7 linesGMPDocumentationValidationData systemsTeamwork
  • Collaboration and leadership7
  • Data and digital systems5
  • Validation and qualification4
  • GMP and compliance3
  • Documentation and SOPs3

Regulatory intelligence

The rules, regulations and standards behind this role

The regulations, guidance and standards that govern Software Quality & CSV work in pharmaceuticals, each linked to the agency or standards body that publishes it.

Company hiring pulse

Lilly on Regulatory Jobs

53
Open roles
53
Distinct roles
10
Locations

By discipline

  • Quality29 55%
  • Clinical17 32%
  • Regulatory7 13%

By level

  • Director24 45%
  • Senior & Principal16 30%
  • Associate & Specialist7 13%
See all 53 Lilly roles

More roles at Lilly

All 53 Lilly roles

Similar Software Quality & CSV roles elsewhere

Forward Deployment Lead, R&D Quality Strategy & Transformation at Lilly

Open until filled. $129K–$211K a year, employer provided.

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