Associate Specialist, Engineering (Biotechnology Solutions)

Job Description

For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science.  Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology.  Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.

Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence.  Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.

Our Manufacturing Operations teams are the people that make our products. We work in the manufacturing plants with a “Safety First, Quality Always” mindset striving for continuous improvement. We work in the local plant connected to our global manufacturing network to ensure the highest quality of raw materials, intermediates and finished products.

The function of this Biotechnology Solutions Associate Specialist is to provide technical support to Vaccine and Biologicals process development for Manufacturing within a multidisciplinary environment you will cooperate with your colleagues at Bioprocess Technology Solutions, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality and R&D. Your main field of attention is to provide all around technological support on Vaccine and Biologicals Manufacturing of new (R&D) products.

Position Responsibilities:

• Works as a team member on the development and scale up of processes or technologies of microbial, virus and cell cultivations, biomolecules concentration and purification and final formulation of veterinary vaccines and therapeutics.

• Works as a team member on the transfer of processes or technologies of microbial, virus and cell cultivations, biomolecules concentration and purification and final formulation of veterinary vaccines and therapeutics to the production lines.

• Works as a team member on the development of processes or technologies and its transfer to the production lines within the timelines set for this purpose, whereby these processes and technologies meet the requirements of the customer with regard to safety, quality, cost-efficiency, practical applicability and consistency.

• Works as a team member on technical investigations, validation and/or process improvement projects.

• Examines issues from diverse perspectives (safety, compliance, automation, equipment, process and people) in order to best understand and resolve the root cause.

• Whether or not in collaboration with team members from other departments (e.g. QC, Pharmaceutical Technical Support, R&D, Production or Analytical Technical Services) gives direction to scientifically based decisions within projects aimed at the improvement of products, solving problems or development of new products.

• If necessary, performs development, introduction and/or testing of new technologies. Collaborates and interfaces with R&D and Manufacturing and other departments to bring new products to market.

• Works within large cross-functional teams and demonstrates working knowledge of current USDA regulatory guidelines and advanced technical knowledge.

• Develops project charters and project plans and align with all sponsors and stakeholders. Key capabilities include standard project management activities: development of timelines, use of project tracking tools, definition of deliverables, definition of roles and responsibilities, risk identification tracking and mitigation.

• Coordinates and tracks team activities by leading or participating in core team meetings, communicates project risks and status to appropriate stakeholders and escalates issues to sponsors as needed in advance of deviation from project plans. In concert with Commercialization, Quality, and Regulatory, support inspection readiness for new product introductions and transfers.

• Assures consistent application of standardized work, engineering and process tools. Conducts and designs experimentais protocols as needed using the Technical Operations lab facilities and/or production equipment at full scale.

• Creates and updates technical and manufacturing documents necessary for investigations, process design/definition, engineering studies, process demonstrations, change control and validation.

• Displays our Company's leadership behaviors and demonstrate a high emotional intelligence. Effectively collaborates with peers on site and above site as required. Contributes to international projects (Global Projects). Interacts closely with fellow scientists from your own and other departments. If required with external collaboration partners.

• Actively contributes to the improvement or acceleration of activities within the department, also in the field of Environment Health and Safety.

• Trains and guides employees and / or trainees.

• Performs off-shift work (only as needed).

Education Minimum Requirement:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry, Microbiology required

• Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience in vaccine/biopharmaceuticals Research and Development, Process Development and/or Biological manufacturing or closely related field

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 

• Excellent project management, documentation and writing skills.

• Excellent teamwork skills.

• Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach to solving problems inclusive of diverse perspectives (e.g. safety, compliance).

• Can work together in multidisciplinary and international teams.

• May be required to work nights AND/OR weekends as needed

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in bioprocess scale up and vaccine manufacturing.

• Working knowledge of USDA regulations.

• Knowledge of GMP requirements for manufacture and testing of biological products.

• Understanding of statistics and application to process monitoring and control

Required Skills:

Biological Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Engineering Processes, Engineering Standards, Equipment Maintenance, Estimation and Planning, Field Failure Analysis, GMP Compliance, Identifying Risks, Manufacturing Processes, Manufacturing Quality Control, Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, New Product Introduction Process, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Process Design, Process Improvements, Product Formulation, Production Lines, Project Management, Project Management Tracking {+ 2 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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/11/2026

*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.