Biotechnology Startup Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

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 Sr. Principal Associate – QA Operational Readiness is a key site quality leader responsible for ensuring quality readiness of the Houston site as it transitions from project phase to GMP operations. This role provides end‐to‐end quality leadership to ensure that facilities, utilities, equipment, systems, processes, and teams are inspection‐ready, compliant, and capable of sustained GMP execution at startup and beyond. The role partners closely with Project, Engineering, Operations, TSMS, Regulatory, and Global Quality to embed quality into design, qualification, operational readiness, and execution. The Quality Operational Readiness Lead drives risk‐based decision making, governance, and alignment to ensure startup activities meet regulatory, quality, and patient safety expectations while supporting on‐time delivery. Key Responsibilities Quality Readiness Strategy Define and drive the site Quality Operational Readiness strategy to ensure GMP compliance, inspection readiness, and successful regulatory approval. Ensure quality requirements are embedded into design, qualification, validation, and startup activities. Cross‐Functional Alignment Partner with Project Management, Engineering, Operations, TSMS, Regulatory, and Global Quality to align quality readiness activities with project milestones and startup timelines. Act as the primary quality interface for site readiness governance. Quality Systems Establishment Partner with other stakeholders within and outside the quality team, to the establish and execute the site Quality Management Systems (e.g., deviations, change control, document management, training) to support initial licensure and sustainable operations. Risk Identification and Mitigation Identify, assess, and mitigate quality and compliance risks through structured risk assessments, readiness reviews, and escalation mechanisms. Ensure timely resolution of gaps impacting startup or regulatory commitments. Execution Readiness & Performance Monitoring Define readiness metrics, dashboards, and governance routines to track progress and ensure accountability. Drive disciplined execution of quality deliverables across all startup phases. Capability Building & Leadership Support Build and develop the site Quality organization through effective staffing, training, coaching, and knowledge transfer. Foster a strong "Safety First & Quality Always" mindset from project phase through commercial operations. Requirements Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, or related discipline. 5+ years of experience in Quality within regulated GMP environments (Pharma, Biotech, or Medical Devices). Demonstrated experience supporting site startups, major expansions, or large capital projects from a Quality perspective. Strong working knowledge of GMP regulations, inspection readiness, validation, and quality systems. Additional Preferences Prior experience in greenfield or brownfield manufacturing startups. Experience working with regulatory submissions, approvals, and pre‐approval inspections. Strong understanding of aseptic manufacturing, utilities, equipment qualification, and data integrity principles (preferred for parenteral facilities). Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and make risk‐based quality decisions under time pressure. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across functions and levels. Collaborative leadership style with the ability to balance compliance, speed, and business needs. Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. 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. Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $65,250 - $169,400. 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 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 At Lilly we strive to ensure our employees are part of a team that cares about them and our shared purpose of making life better for those around the world. How do we do this? We continue to look for ways to include, innovate, accelerate and deliver while maintaining integrity, excellence and respect for people. We hope that you seek to join us on our journey as we create medicine and deliver improved outcomes for patients across the globe! #J-18808-Ljbffr