Sr. Spclst, Engineering

Job Description

Applications are sought for a senior specialist position in our Research & Development Division's Biologics Pilot Plant (BPP) automation engineering group.  Individual will lead and perform various automation activities supporting pilot-scale campaigns for the GMP manufacture of bulk biologic (vaccines and therapeutic proteins) clinical supplies. 

Candidate will participate in a range of activities including, but are not limited to:

• Technically lead ongoing automation system support in the facility

• Provide automation expertise for GMP clinical manufacturing campaigns in the facility

• Lead and/or execute the design, scope, implementation, and GMP close out of pilot plant projects including the specification and automation integration of new equipment, upgrades and improvements

• Author and review GMP change controls, test protocols, SDLC documentation, SOP’s, safety reviews, deviation investigations and actions

• Lead ongoing maintenance and upgrade projects for automation systems in the facility

• Work with the team to innovate and evaluate new technologies and automation systems to improve the pilot plant’s reliability and increase efficiency

• Cross train in many areas and technologies

• Actively work in a multi-discipline cross-functional project team environment

In addition to the core responsibilities outlined above, an opportunity exists to collaborate across our Research & Development Division with automation and digital initiatives and to contribute towards defining/streamlining various business processes for efficient and flexible GMP clinical supply for products in all phases of development. Some off shift (second shift and weekends) will be required to support campaigns.  

Education Minimum Requirement:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or computer science with a minimum of 5 years of relevant automation experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Highly motivated with the ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic setting. 

• Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills.

• Previous automation experience supporting GMP production of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, or vaccines.  This includes executing GMP change controls.

• Significant experience in one or more of the following automation technologies:  DeltaV, Ignition, PLC/SCADA.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Experience with manufacturing equipment, process control, automation infrastructure design, and/or cybersecurity 

• Experience with integrating equipment automation systems with Enterprise IT managed systems (e.g. MES, virtualization, networking, windows and antivirus patching/updates) 

• Experience with Project Management Methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc) and Tools (Jira/Confluence, RACI, GANTT)

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Testing, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Deviation Management, Equipment Qualification, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Process Design, Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Process Optimization, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Strategic Thinking, Technical Leadership, Technical Problem-Solving, Technical Writing

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

$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:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

04/27/2026

*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.