Senior Validation Specialist

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Validation Specialist to join our Technical Operations & Validation team in Carlow.

In this critical role, you will lead, execute, and oversee Filter qualification and validation programs across processes, equipment. You will serve as a subject matter expert partnering cross-functionally ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation, and leadership to carry out the following: 

• Validation Strategy & Execution: Lead, execute, and document comprehensive filter qualification and validation studies and additional validation programs where required’
• Process & Equipment Qualification: Drive development, qualification, and lifecycle management of new production processes.
• New Product Introduction: Provide robust technical and validation support for technology transfers and commercial manufacturing scale-ups.
• Troubleshooting & Investigations: Spearhead technical investigations, root-cause analyses, and troubleshooting for complex validation deviations and study anomalies.

• Documentation Lifecycle: Generate, review, and approve critical validation documentation, ensuring alignment with current Good Manufacturing Practices and global regulatory expectations.
• Commitment Management: Champion change controls, risk assessments and the timely close-out of corrective and preventive actions
• Audit & Inspection Readiness: Actively support regulatory agency inspections and internal audits, including authoring storyboards, presenting technical data to inspectors, and maintaining audit-ready documentation.
• Quality Management System: Champion site adherence to corporate quality standards, industry guidelines, and regulatory frameworks.

• Project Oversight & Scheduling: Lead multiple cross-functional validation projects from inception through completion; manage timelines, resource allocation, and budget requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Production System methodologies, Lean principles, and problem-solving tools.
• Culture & Collaboration: Actively foster a safe, inclusive, speak-up culture at our Carlow site, promoting shared learning, team capability building, and professional development.

 

Qualifications, Skills & Experience you will bring

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Science, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience (typically 4+ years) in validation, quality engineering, or technical operations within a cGMP-regulated biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in filter validation, sterile/aseptic processing, equipment qualification, or cleaning/process validation.
• Strong working knowledge of EU/FDA cGMP guidelines
• Analytical Problem Solver: Proven capability in leading complex investigations and utilizing structured Lean/Six Sigma problem-solving tools.
• Collaboration & Communication: Outstanding interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and present technical content clearly.
• Project Leadership: Demonstrated accountability for scheduling, budget management, and multi-disciplinary project delivery.

Our facility in Carlow site broke ground in 2008 and is a filling site for the launch and commercial supply of vaccines, biologics and small molecule drug product. Since its initial launch, the site has attracted significant internal investment and is now home to a number of state-of-the-art production facilities, laboratories and temperature-controlled warehousing units.

The Carlow site is a significant employer in the South East region and attracts high performing talent through close collaborations with universities and colleges in the region

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs. 

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. 

Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process. 

We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world. 

Please feel free to speak to us about what flexibility means to you during your application. 

So, if you are ready to: 

Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, please apply today. 

   

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

cGMP Regulations, Continuous Improvement, Corporate Quality Management, GMP Validation, Quality Management, Quality Management Systems (QMS), Sterile Manufacturing, Team Leadership, Technical Documentation Management, Technical Support, Troubleshooting, Validation Testing

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

11/18/2026

*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.