Lead Electrical Engineer

Job purpose

This role is focused on delivering greenfield and brownfield projects on schedule so that plant operations remain safe, efficient, and aligned with cost and quality requirements.

Role overview

The Lead Electrical Engineer will drive electrical engineering activities across pharmaceutical API projects, including planning, design support, approvals, execution, documentation, and handover. The position requires strong exposure to utility and manufacturing equipment, project controls, compliance, and coordination with internal teams, contractors, and vendors.

Key responsibilities

The incumbent will contribute to project charter and concept note preparation, support business case development, and prepare plant layouts and facility requirement plans. The role also includes budgetary cost estimation, covering both capital and operating costs.

Technical work will involve detailed understanding of API process and utility equipment such as reactors, centrifuges, dryers, isolators, transformers, DG sets, boilers, and chillers from an electrical standpoint. The engineer will perform calculations such as power consumption, control transformer sizing, and instrument loop impedance, while applying strong MS Office and MS Project capabilities.

The position requires guiding the design of control panels, junction boxes, and conduit/wiring systems in line with NEC and IEC requirements, along with familiarity with accepted industry practices, performance standards, and process control/database applications.

Responsibilities also cover regulatory and statutory approvals at different project stages, consultant evaluation, CER preparation, and technical assessment of vendors against Cipla standards. The engineer will prepare URS, RDS, technical specification sheets, terms of reference, layouts, and drawings, and coordinate risk assessments with Safety and User teams.

During execution, the role involves coordinating with procurement, suppliers, contractors, and department heads to ensure timely material flow and work completion. Project schedules, milestone charts, and daily contractor discussions will be part of the job, along with close monitoring of time, cost, quality, and safety compliance.

The position also includes support for Electrical and Control Systems FATs/SATs based on URS requirements, ensuring conformity with company and industry standards. On completion, the engineer must ensure GMP documentation is finalized, the project is formally handed over to the user, and critical spares and inventory requirements are identified.

Qualifications and experience

A Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical is required, with 12 to 15 years of relevant experience. An MBA will be considered an advantage. The ideal candidate should also have hands-on exposure to high-voltage substations, electrical utilities, or a closely related industrial environment.

Additional capabilities expected

The right candidate should be capable of adopting new methods, have a strong grasp of manufacturing processes, and demonstrate planning, organization, prioritization, and multitasking skills. Knowledge of financial concepts such as CAPEX and OPEX, along with an understanding of automation, is also expected.

Compliance and execution focus

This role demands consistent adherence to safety rules, QA/QC policies, applicable codes, practices, and specification requirements while ensuring that all contractor electrical work is completed in a controlled and compliant manner.