Specialist, Manufacturing Automation Engineer (Onsite)

Job Description

Specialist – Manufacturing Automation

Description

The Enabling Facilities (EF) group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development (CERD) Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to work in a fast-paced job that provides both technical and project management responsibility. The Specialist – Manufacturing Automation position will report to the Associate Director, Engineering, Automation Lead position and will be a member of the EF Team at the Rahway NJ facility. EF is responsible for development of new technologies/capabilities, execution of capital and non-capital improvement projects, and the automation system assets spanning production, utility systems and associated infrastructure. 

Responsibilities of the Specialist – Manufacturing Automation include the following:

 

The automation engineer role at the Specialist level will serve as technical SME and capital team member supporting the Modality Agnostic Chemistry Scaleup (MACS) Center. This is a new potent, multi-modality (small molecule, macrocyclic peptides, bioconjugates) Drug Substance development and GMP clinical manufacturing plant currently planned in Rahway, New Jersey. The automation engineering role at the Specialist level will serve as a team member of the MACS Center design, commissioning, and qualification teams; and will go on to support new and/or existing facilities across the Small Molecule Process Research & Development (SM PR&D) network.

 

As the facility is currently under construction, the selected candidate will contribute to automation equipment and software design, system commissioning/qualification, as well as other automation areas critical activities to enable facility startup. The selected candidate is expected to be a key part of the MACS Project Automation Team and foster a culture of collaboration, learning and innovation. This will also require close collaboration with the development engineers & chemists, compliance representatives, and other team members. This role will be part of the broader Enabling Facilities Automation Team supporting facility operations, process development activities, compliance investigation, change management and the authoring of GMP documentation in any of our enabling facilities.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• The automaton engineer will troubleshoot automation and instrumentation issues, perform root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions to improve reliability, safety, and energy performance. 

• Develop, test, and deploy logic graphics for various systems in the facility.

• Manage system patches, firmware upgrades, backup/restore strategies, and cybersecurity hardening aligned with corporate policies.

• Ensure robust data integrity and audit trails suitable for operations.

• Support capital projects work to design, install, and commission new equipment to support. Write, review or execute test documents.

• Provide on-call support rotation for facility operations.

• Collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, and IT to align automation solutions with uptime, safety, sustainability, and efficiency goals.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives: standardization, modular code libraries, alarm rationalization, and enhanced diagnostics/monitoring for utilities equipment.

Additional Supported Areas:

As required and in addition to support of current capital projects and MACS Operations the Specialist may provide direct support to other areas such as:

Small Scale Organics Pilot Plant (SSO): The SSO uses an Emerson DeltaV Distributed Control System.  The SSO is a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing facility in the Process Research and Development (PR&D) organization.  The pilot plant’s mission is to serve as PR&D’s internal node for small molecule drug substance clinical manufacture, and as preferred site for first pilot of commercial small molecule processes, enabling gain of critical internal experience with scale-up of manufacturing GMP steps, demonstration of new manufacturing technology/processes, training opportunities for improved manufacturing process development and seamless tech transfer to commercial sites. 

Hazardous Reactions Lab (HRL): The Hazardous Reactions Lab (HRL), or Bldg. 801, uses GE PLC 90-30 processors and Genius I/O blocks. The Graphical interface is an Intellution iFix platform run on redundant SCADAS and seven workstations, with historical data collected on a local historian as well as OSI PI.  The B801 High Pressure Lab and Low-Pressure Lab Automation Systems support Hydrogenation Hazardous reactions using a wide variety of vessels and equipment.  The High-Pressure Barricades Cells are divided up into ten cells where each cell is electrically classified as Class 1 Division 2 Hazardous Area, Group B.

Education Minimum Requirement: 

Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Engineering, Science, or Computer-Programming related degree with minimum of 4 years relevant experience, or a Masters degree with 3 years of relevant experience

 

Required Experience and Skills:

• Ability to understand, update, design and implement modifications in DeltaV or PLC based platforms (i.e. Rockwell).

• Ability to problem solve/troubleshoot, with knowledge of root cause analysis.

• Ability to prepare/review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and cGMP documents.

• Experience with Quality Systems.

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Excellent organizational skills to multi-task.

• Desire and willingness to learn and contribute.

• Knowledge of automation items such as wiring, electrical, device selection or integration.

• Candidates must be able to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

• Strong analytical thinking and technical writing skills

• Proficient in MS Office Platform and document storage systems.

• An ability to foster innovation, creativity, and self-initiative along with ability to plan and organize activities.

 

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Experience with DeltaV Live, DeltaV Batch, and Charms I/O.

• Working knowledge of general OPC and Modbus interfaces.

• Experience with automation system design, start-up and/or qualification.

• Knowledge of PLCs, HMIs or other types of Control Systems including Rockwell and Siemens.

• Understanding of Object-Oriented languages.

• Past experience programing in a professional setting.

• Strong background in IT systems; specifically, integration of Automation systems with IT systems.

• Networking experience; working knowledge of Enterprise Networking and local control networks.

• Experience with coordinating maintenance activities around processing activities to support reliable facility operation.

• Experience in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and/or Level of Protection Analysis (LOPA).

 

Required Skills:

Automation Technology, Automation Testing, Building Automation Systems, Cloud Computing, Computer Networking, Computer System Validation (CSV), Control Systems Integration, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Customer Satisfaction, Customized Reporting, Emerson DeltaV, Equipment Calibrations, Instrumentation, PLC Programming, Production Scheduling, Quality Systems Compliance, Rockwell Automation Software, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Time Management

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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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

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

04/23/2026

*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.