Merck & Co, Inc

Manufacturing Leadership Development Program - Associate Specialist, Engineering

Merck & Co, Inc$71K — $113K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in relevant fields such as Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering.
  • Graduation by August 1, 2027, to be eligible for the program.
  • Eligibility to work in the US without sponsorship.
  • Geographic mobility and willingness to travel for different roles and sites.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience in studies, extracurriculars, internships, or military.

Responsibilities

  • Participate in a 3-year rotation program across key manufacturing functions.
  • Contribute to significant manufacturing projects impacting pharmaceutical delivery.
  • Receive mentorship from senior leaders throughout your rotations.
  • Engage in experiential learning to build a strong technical foundation for future leadership.
  • Travel to various sites, including potential international locations, based on business needs.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision healthcare for employee and family.
  • Retirement benefits including 401(k) contributions.
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and personal days for work-life balance.
  • Eligibility for annual bonuses and long-term incentives.
Full Job Description
Job Description

CALLING FUTURE MANUFACTURING LEADERS

The Manufacturing Leadership Development Program (MLDP) is our flagship global manufacturing graduate program. Our simple objective is to identify, hire, and develop our future Manufacturing Leaders.

If you are passionate about launching a career in manufacturing, then we are eager to engage with you, focus on your development, and bring greater value to our patients worldwide.

Over the 3-year rotation program, we will invest in your development, giving you exposure and experience across our business and preparing you for a role in leadership. The program will provide experiential and formal learning opportunities to build the technical foundation needed by our future leaders. You will receive coaching from senior leaders, exposure to real manufacturing challenges, and training from industry leading scientists and engineers. You will contribute to significant projects and make key decisions that directly impact how we make pharmaceuticals and deliver them to our patients globally.

We hire a small number of members each year for this program, and we work hard to ensure that we truly select candidates with the greatest potential to lead. To help assess if you fit the profile, here are some questions to ask yourself:
  • Are you motivated to be part of our Company's flagship future talent program?
  • Are you geographically mobile and able to complete a potential international rotation?
  • Are you willing to travel to different sites over the first three years of employment?
  • Are you excited by digital advancements and developing fundamental technical knowledge?


If the answer is "YES" to all these questions, we want to get to know you.

The Manufacturing Leadership Development Program has two primary goals:
  • Provide candidates who have a bachelor's or master's degree level in the required fields listed below with a broad perspective of the core manufacturing functions of our company's pharmaceutical, biological, animal health and vaccine products.
  • Develop talent for future leadership positions of increasing responsibility within the Manufacturing Division through focused development in key leadership and technical skills.


The program enables successful candidates to experience three (3) rotations over a three-year period with each rotation lasting one (1) year. A minimum of two (2) rotations will feature technically focused roles within the operations, technical operations, or quality organizations. Employees are assigned to rotations based on critical business needs. In addition to their rotation assignments and competency development programming, employees receive mentoring from peers and senior leaders during their assignment. Rotation members should expect to work at 2-3 different high impact sites during their tenure in the program and should have flexibility to move where assigned.

Within the rotation, some domestic and international business travel may be available or required. An international rotation assignment is not guaranteed.

The program is designed to strengthen the candidates' skills through a targeted learning curriculum, designed to enhance a wide variety of competencies including but not limited to:
  • Continuous improvement/Problem solving
  • Technical support
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Quality/Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
  • Managing and optimizing internal and external partnerships
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Decision-Making
  • Financial Acumen
  • End-to-end supply chain


The successful candidate is:
  • Interested in participating in a broad range of work experiences across the manufacturing division.
  • Able to work independently, in teams, and lead teams.
  • Adaptable to new roles, responsibilities, and situations.
  • Motivated to cultivate their leadership skills along with their technical, business, and commercial skills by applying their knowledge within manufacturing.
  • Committed to both their own career development as well as bringing their best to our company


CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A PRE-INTERVIEW ONLINE ASSESSMENT WHICH WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MINUTES TO COMPLETE. CANDIDATES WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THIS ASSESSMENT WITHIN 3 DAYS OF RECEIPT.

Education:

BS or MS in one of the following:
  • Bioengineering
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Packaging


Required Experience and Skills:
  • Candidate must have graduated from a college by the program start date: On or around August 1, 2027.
  • Candidate must be eligible to work in the US without sponsorship.
  • Candidate must be willing to be assigned to different roles and different sites over the first three years of employment.
  • Ability to travel and willingness to be assigned to any company site in the US or other company sites including countries ex-US based on business needs.


Preferred Experience and Skills:
  • Candidate has demonstrated leadership experience in field of study, extracurricular activity, previous internship or undergraduate research, military or prior work experience.
  • Experience in manufacturing.
  • Candidate should possess superior communication and interpersonal skills, a team-player with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within and across teams.
  • Strong technical background.


Required Skills:
Adaptability, Biopharmaceutical Operations, Data Analysis, Engineering Principle, Experimentation, Leadership, Process Optimization, Teamwork, Technical Communication, Technical Problem-Solving

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

The salary range for this role is
$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
50%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Job Posting End Date:
10/2/2026
*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.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

Explore Career Paths

Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

Innovate and Lead

Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

Develop Your Skills

With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Engage with us through our careers blog and by participating in networking events and employment fairs. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Merck & Co, Inc. Join us in our mission to improve health and wellness around the world.
Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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