Process Automation Engineer (Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation)

Job Description

Our company is seeking a dedicated and skilled Process Automation Engineer (Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation) to join our Digital Manufacturing Operations team at the thriving West Point site. We are committed to creating an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork.

As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with talented colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

The Process Automation Engineer role will provide automation system support and expertise to enable our manufacturing division in the reliable and compliant supply of quality vaccine products to customers and patients across the globe.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot challenging equipment/automation issues and innovation to improve manufacturing performance
• Maintain the automation systems in compliance with cGMPs through the life cycle of the equipment (initial qualification through retirement)
• Provide support as an automated systems Subject Matter Expert within an existing production team, including technical assistance in fulfilling the automation requirements for the team
• Support peers in areas of expertise to ensure the success of the team
• Review automation documents, preventive maintenance, and SOPs to ensure compliance with GMP and safety
• Develop and support corrective actions for investigations related to automation or IT systems
• Use technical knowledge to assure the efficient operation of a variety of automated processing and information technology systems
• Participate in audits and training programs
• Provide on-floor support of manufacturing activities
• Generate and implement change controls to meet the needs of the facility
• Provide on-call support for off-shifts and weekends, as part of a rotation with other team members

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering, Computer Science or related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in manufacturing automation-related role within a regulated industry
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with team members, peers, and functional leaders
• Demonstrated leadership in achieving shared objectives within a matrixed organization
• Strong understanding of manufacturing principles and processes, with the ability to translate manufacturing requirements into automation and digital solutions
• Proven analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills
• Demonstrated ability to apply and model the company’s Leadership Principles
• High level of personal integrity, credibility, and energy
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills
• Project Management Experience
• Understanding of System validation and other Quality management functions
• Experience with navigating/troubleshooting Process Control systems, with preferred experience in the following: Emerson DeltaV DCS, Allen-Bradley (Rockwell) PLCs, OPC, Modbus/Fieldbus/Profibus and other related technologies

Preferred

• Understanding and ability to apply regulatory/compliance requirements relative to their role
• Networking, Virtual Machines, Database management and other general IT administration
• Direct experience with SDLC and change controls for a GMP regulated process/system

Required Skills:

Change Controls, Cross-Functional Teamwork, DeltaV DCS, Foundation Fieldbus, IT Infrastructure Design, Manufacturing Information Systems, Manufacturing Systems, Modbus, OPC Servers, Profibus, Project Management, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Technical Writing

Preferred Skills:

Regulatory Compliance, SDLC Project Management, Virtual Machines (VM)

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

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - Pennsylvania - West Point

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

11/13/2026

*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.