Assoc. Dir., Technical Project Management

Job Description

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Technical Project Management (TPM) is responsible for delivering digital, automation, and data integration scope across complex capital projects and strategic initiatives within the Digital Manufacturing Division MVT portfolio. This role ensures the reliable, compliant, and scalable implementation of process automation and manufacturing digital systems that support facility startup, operational readiness, and sustained manufacturing performance.

The TPM leads complex project scopes, programs, or workstreams across the full project lifecycle, embedding automation architecture, data integrity, cybersecurity, and validation requirements into project execution. This role works closely with Engineering, Automation, IT, Quality, Manufacturing Operations, and external partners to deliver robust, compliant solutions aligned with cGMP, data integrity, and lifecycle management best practices.

Key Responsibilities and Expectations

• Lead end-to-end delivery of digital and automation scope across capital project phases, including FEL, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and qualification for large-scale and business-critical initiatives.
• Manage scope, schedule, cost, risks, and dependencies to ensure alignment with project objectives, milestones, and strategic business priorities.
• Monitor project performance and proactively identify and resolve complex technical, organizational, and execution challenges impacting delivery.
• Deliver process automation, MES, and data integration solutions, including DCS, PLC-based platforms, historians, and reporting/analytics tools.
• Support development of user requirements, functional/design specifications, and validation deliverables.
• Ensure technical solutions meet quality, data integrity, cybersecurity, and lifecycle management requirements while aligning with enterprise standards and long-term supportability objectives.
• Coordinate system integration across automation platforms, OEM equipment, and enterprise data systems across multiple stakeholders and technology domains.
• Support FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, and qualification of automation systems.
• Partner with Engineering, Automation, IT, Quality, Operations, vendors, and system integrators to support aligned execution across complex project environments.
• Support stage-gate governance, project reviews, and accurate status reporting to stakeholders and leadership.
• Ensure systems are delivered in a validated, compliant state and support readiness for startup and transition to operations.
• Operate within established governance frameworks while independently driving day-to-day execution and strategic decision-making.
• Escalate complex risks, cross-project impacts, and constraints as needed and drive mitigation strategies to resolution.
• Apply technical judgment, structured problem-solving, and root cause analysis to resolve high-impact business and technical issues.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to project teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Success Measures

• Successful delivery of digital and automation scope aligned with project schedule, budget, and quality expectations across complex and high-value initiatives.
• Effective integration and performance of automation and manufacturing systems.
• Clear and proactive communication of project status, risks, and issues to stakeholders and leadership.
• Contribution to successful facility startup, validation, and operational readiness.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline, plus a minimum of 10+ years of relevant technical support, engineering, manufacturing automation, or project leadership experience, or equivalent related experience.
• Experience supporting delivery of automation or digital scope within pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Working knowledge of automation systems (DeltaV, PLC/SCADA) and manufacturing digital platforms (MES, historians, data integration).
• Demonstrated ability to manage project scope, schedule, deliverables, and cross-functional coordination across complex programs and stakeholder groups.

Required Skills:

Business Alignment, Business Alignment, Business Decisions, Delivery Management, Measurement Analysis, Portfolio, Programme, and Project Support, Program Delivery Management, Program Management, Project Delivery, Project Development, Project Implementations, Project Management, Project Management Governance, Project Planning, Project Risk Management, Project Scoping, Project Tracking, Requirements Specification, Risk Avoidance, Risk Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Status Reporting, Strategic Objectives, System Integration, Technical Analysis {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/5/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.