Senior Specialist, Engineering

Job Description

Senior Specialist, Engineering – GES Tech Center

Level – P3

Global Engineering Solutions (GES) is responsible for the design, construction, and delivery of advanced manufacturing facilities and laboratories worldwide. We provide premier engineering solutions in the pharmaceutical industry through technical innovation and project management to deliver important life-saving medicines and vaccines to patients. With our extensive range of facilities and environments, our Engineers have opportunities to impact Large and Small Molecule areas within our company's Manufacturing Division and Animal Health division lines of business, including Biological, Chemical, Automation, Capital Projects, Maintenance, Safety, Process Development, Technical Services, Utilities and Validation. Our Engineers provide solutions for internal and external manufacturing needs in support of operational efficiencies, continuous improvement, and innovations.

 

Our Animal Health Division is investing $895 million in expanding our manufacturing and research & development facilities in De Soto, Kansas — the state’s largest economic development project to date. The Senior Specialist operates under the guidance of the GES Process Lead and is part of a high performing team accountable for implementation of this major project within our Company's growing portfolio of Animal Health work. The individual collaborates with other Integrated Project Team (IPT) members (e.g., Project Management, Technology, Maintenance, Automation, Plant Operations and Safety), Engineering Firms and Vendors to progress deliverables. The Senior Specialist would be responsible for leading the planning, design, and implementation of engineering solutions on a suite team. Core work includes equip/scope generation, process & facility design, equipment selection, vendor interaction, factory acceptance testing, technology transfer, construction support, equipment qualification, facility start-up and process demonstrations.

 

Preferred candidates will possess experience with engineering design, equipment operation, startup, and troubleshooting, and C&Q activities. They should demonstrate a proven aptitude for leading project design endeavors and offering creative solutions that align with business objectives. Additionally, the role may involve supervising junior engineers and collaboration with resources from an engineering firm.  Previous managerial experience in a similar position is desirable.

The Senior Specialist primary responsibility entails:

• Exhibiting strong technical/engineering leadership, interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills for both decision making and guiding team members.

• Leading a cross functional suite team of 5-10 members through the stage gates of a project and setting them up for success with knowledge transfer.

• Ensuring deliverables conform to our standards and practices; and are technically sound.

• Providing technical guidance during project implementation, assures viability of technology to meet design intent.

• Collaborating with other technical functions to ensure successful technology transfers of new and in-line products.

• Flexibility with travel up to 50%.

 

Job Description in Primary Posting Language

• This position will function as the technical/engineering process engineer with prior experience supporting Biologics, Vaccine and/or Sterile Projects. 

Education Minimum Requirement:

• B.S. degree in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical) or Science is required.  An advanced degree in Engineering, Science, or Business is preferred.

 

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum five (5) years of experience in Pharmaceutical/Biotech industry such as Process-Equipment Engineering Design,  Capital Project implementation, Technical Operations, or Operations/EMU.

• 3+ years experience leading cross functional teams in the startup and C&Q execution of capital projects.

• Experience with an equipment life cycle approach including specification, selection, testing & commissioning, troubleshooting and qualification.

• Understanding of unit operations specific to vaccine/biologic manufacturing, including hygienic design and aseptic requirements for Buffer Prep, Formulation, and CIP/SIP and experience with primary and secondary packaging operations.

• Experience with capital projects that followed a stage gate capital management process.

• Excellent collaboration and engagement as a team player with dependable interpersonal and communication skills.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Multitasking/time management skills which deliver on time and quality work.

• Core knowledge should include specification of unit operations, P&ID reviews, Hazard Analysis, equipment operation, commissioning & qualification execution.

• Work independently and meet timelines in a fast-paced team-based environment.

• Strong self-motivation; proactive, high-energy, "can do" work ethic; ability to handle potentially stressful situations with a positive attitude.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Capital Projects, Change Control Processes, Collaborative Communications, Construction, Customer-Oriented, Engineering Standards, Equipment Commissioning, Equipment Specifications, Global Engineering, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Knowledge Transfer, Maintenance Engineering, Manufacturing Process Validation, Multitasking, Process Optimization, Project Implementations, Project Management, Self Motivation, Strategic Thinking, Teamwork, Technical Support, Technical Transfer, Working Independently

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

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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:

50%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/2/2026

*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.