Merck & Co, Inc

Senior Engineer, Automation (Onsite)

Merck & Co, Inc$117K — $184K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or a Master's degree with less experience.
  • Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in Automation Engineering for the Biologics or related industries.
  • Experience with MES/EBR administration, particularly with platforms like Syncade or PAS-X.
  • Proven expertise in industrial control systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA, etc.) and their implementation.
  • Familiarity with GAMP, S88, and other industry standards for quality control.

Responsibilities

  • Provide automation support for manufacturing systems including DCS, PLC, MES, and SCADA.
  • Collaborate with process development teams for technical innovations and automation strategy implementation.
  • Design, install, and qualify new equipment for GMP clinical production, including writing and reviewing test documentation.
  • Execute system validation, change control, and testing documentation with project teams.
  • Establish GxP systems including Change Management and SOPs for automation systems in the facility.
  • Integrate control systems with MES/EBR and Quality applications.
  • Troubleshoot automation issues to enhance manufacturing performance and ensure compliance with cGMP regulations.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and family.
  • Retirement benefits including a 401(k) plan.
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
  • Annual bonus and long-term incentive eligibility.
Full Job Description
Job Description

This role will support the Next Generation Biologics (NGB) facility, which will be a premier, state-of-the-art facility, that is a key part of our Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) hub at our site headquarters in Rahway, NJ. This facility will be fully online in the next few years, both in terms of facility construction and organizational realization. The GMP facility is designed for multi-product operations with flexible operating suites, which can adjust as the clinical pipeline demands change. It is capable of meeting all historic, currently existing, and cutting-edge biologics program demands from supporting development to pilot scale, small and large scale potent material handling, and the ability to integrate new technologies and cell-line platforms.

This role will be a member of the Process Automation team, reporting to the Process Automation leader. In this role, this individual will be responsible for leading the design of the Manufacturing Execution System (MES)/ Electronic Batch Record (EBR) system with the process operations team, providing automation support during facility start-up activities, continued support of systems after start-up, and actively contribute to continuous improvement projects.

Job Responsibilities:
  • Provide key automation support for various manufacturing systems such as DCS (DeltaV), PLC, MES, SCADA and OEM systems
  • Work with process development teams on technical development and the testing of new technologies, trialing new automation strategies, and implementing them in the GMP areas
  • Support capital projects, work to design, install, and qualify new equipment to support GMP clinical production. Write, review or execute test documents. Limited off shift work may be required to meet project, operations, and qualification needs.
  • Execute and develop appropriate system validation, change control, and testing documentation in partnership with project CQV and IT teams.
  • Support establishment of GxP systems in the facility: Change Management, Maintenance protocols, Calibration procedures, Training, and SOPs for all GxP automation systems.
  • Lead integration of control systems with MES/EBR, Quality, and Batch Reporting applications.
  • Understand and adhere to CFR, GMP, and data integrity regulations to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Support and/or Direct Continuous Improvement projects with automation review of equipment specifications, P&IDs, and System Life Cycle documentation
  • Responsible for troubleshooting challenging equipment/automation issues to improve manufacturing performance (e.g. yield improvements, etc.), changes to support new products, and maintaining the automation systems in compliance with cGMP
  • Lead automation related investigations into deviations and implement the corrective actions
  • Serve as a technical mentor and help train rotational and new employees, and supervise staff performing GMP activities and deliver training as needed


Required Education, Experience and Skills:

  • Bachelor's degree in chemical/biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, or related discipline with minimum of 4 years relevant experience, or a master's degree with minimum years of relevant experience.
  • Administration experience with MES/EBR platforms, such as Syncade, PAS-X, or similardo.


Preferred Experience and Skills:

  • At least 4 years of experience in an Automation or Engineering function for Biologics, Food, Medical Devices, or Pharmaceutical industries
  • Proven experience with development and implementation of industrial controls such as DCS (Delta V), SCADA (Wonderware, iFix), PLC applications (Siemens, Allen Bradley), Historian (PI)
  • I/O Networking experience (i.e. Ethernet/IP, OPC, Profinet, ControlNet, Profinet, DeviceNet, and ModBus protocols) is advantageous
  • Working experience with GAMP, S88 and other industry standards.
  • Commissioning and qualification test protocol development and execution
  • Track record of working effectively with team-members of skill sets and backgrounds
  • Strong presentations and verbal/written communication skills
  • Experienced in the administration of GMPs, Good Documentation Practices (GDPs), and S&E regulations as it pertains to biologics development
  • Excellent attention to detail, highly independent with initiative
  • Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to challenge the status quo with a continuous improvement mindset


#PRD

#eligibleforERP

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Analytical Testing, Biochemistry, Continuous Process Improvement, Control Systems Integration, Corrective Action Management, Equipment Qualification, GMP Compliance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Manufacturing, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Molecular Microbiology, New Product Development, Technical Problem-Solving

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.

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:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
07/16/2026
*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.

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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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