Forward Deployment Lead, R&D Quality Strategy & Transformation
Listed on 2026-07-18
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Quality Assurance - QA/QC
AI Business & Operations -
IT/Tech
AI Business & Operations, Change Management
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.
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.
The 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 role is accountable for demonstrating value realization across an assigned asset portfolio while developing the next generation of FDEs within Lilly.
Responsibilities- Own 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.
- Author product and system requirements, oversee translation of business problems into technical specifications, and define measurable success criteria against which delivery is evaluated.
- Operate as a hands‑on technical practitioner: review code, evaluate architecture decisions, quality‑check technical work, and direct internal and external delivery resources.
- Apply the CSV framework as a delivery accelerator, using GSOP‑1201 and related artifacts to shape validation strategy in service of business outcomes.
- Build and coach a team of Forward Deployed Engineers, growing the pipeline of technical talent capable of operating at the intersection of business, technology, and quality.
- Track and report value realization against defined metrics; accountable to the Results Management Office for outcome delivery.
- Partner with Tech@Lilly, BQA, and CSQA to ensure enterprise alignment, validation compliance, and long‑term sustainability of assets.
- Own user enablement, adoption strategy, and change management coordination in partnership with OCM resources; success is measured by adoption and business outcomes, not deployment completion.
- Escalate and manage complex issues, ensuring they are well researched, understood, and resolved.
- Represent the R&D Quality FDE function in cross‑functional forums, influencing technology and quality decisions across the organization.
- Bachelor’s degree or above in computer science, data analysis, analytics, informatics, life sciences, engineering, or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in data sciences, product development, computer system delivery, or quality within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, including at least 2 years in a leadership or senior technical capacity.
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience owning products or capabilities end‑to‑end, from concept through adoption and value realization.
- Hands‑on technical fluency: ability 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…
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