Job DescriptionAs a Software Engineering Senior Specialist, you will play a key role in designing, building, and maintaining advanced software systems that support this mission. Within the RaDS IT Research Infrastructure Product Line (RIPL), the Engineering team is seeking a Senior Specialist - Research Automation Systems Integrator to support the Research Automation Operations product (Laboratory and Plant).
In this role, you will define and implement solution architectures, guiding engineering teams through high-level requirements, design principles, and integration strategies. You will lead the development of scalable solutions by assessing current and future state architectures and aligning them with business needs. Leveraging your experience in screening data automation, plant automation, and system integration, you will contribute to the development of new platforms and the optimization of existing systems to improve efficiency and productivity across drug discovery and clinical development.
You will collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders across Research & Development and IT-including scientists, engineers, architects, infrastructure, quality, and external partners-to design, enhance, and support automation systems.
This role is primarily based in West Point, PA or Rahway, NJ, with support provided to additional sites as needed.
Responsibilities- Construct, amend, and verify complex software systems, components, and integrations by writing advanced software programs, adhering to estimation, measurement, quality processes, appropriate documentation, and continuous improvement practices.
- Enable and maintain sophisticated software configuration management capabilities across diverse technology environments, architectures, and platforms.
- Create and adapt advanced software configuration applications and interfaces, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.
- Develop and employ robust software capabilities that empower the creation, renewal, update, and destruction of data, adhering to stringent objectives regarding security, compliance, policy, scalability, efficiency, reliability, fidelity, flexibility, and portability.
- Validate and test integrated systems rigorously, ensuring compliance with organizational standards regarding security, reporting, observation, and control.
- Act as a technical resource within the work group/project team, providing expertise and guidance on software engineering best practices.
- Apply deep technical and functional knowledge to conduct experiments and research, contributing to the advancement of the project and the broader field.
- Recognized as a technical expert, contribute to significant internal publications and may publish and/or present technical papers to external audiences.
- Make informed decisions by choosing between multiple options or developing new solutions to resolve moderately complex problems.
- Navigate and work effectively in ambiguous situations within the work group/project team, explaining difficult issues and building alignment around complex situations.
- Explore through experimentation, using novel approaches and integrating new ideas and knowledge with increasing frequency.
- Demonstrate effective use of technology to complete assignments, applying and adapting standard methods and techniques based on prior work experience and consulting others as needed.
QualificationsRequired
- Bachelor's degree in automation, engineering, computer science, or computer engineering related degree; a Master's degree is preferred.
- Over five (5+) years' hands-on software development and operations in the pharmaceutical High Throughput Screening (HTS) automation, interfacing with research scientists, robotic engineers, safety, and quality personnel.
- Over four (4+) years' experience with sample management systems and operations, such as Titian Mosaic, Screenwork, BioInventory, FreezerPro, etc. Have experience developing integration APIs with other laboratory systems.
- Over four (4+) years' experience with commercial laboratory robotics scheduler software such as Momentum, GreenButtonGo, Cellario, etc.
- Over four (4+) year's hands-on experience programming robotic arms, laboratory instrument using LabView, C#, Java, Oracle and/or SQL server database in direct support of high throughput screening.
- Familiar with networking, switches, vlans, subnets, firewalls, Windows active directory in virtual and physical environments.
- Experienced problem solver/troubleshooter, skilled in root cause analysis.
- Multi-tasker with ability to lead multiple IT and automation projects.
- Able to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
- Strong technical writing skills.
Required Skills: Automation Systems, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Modeling, Design Applications, Information Technology (IT) Services, Java (Programming Language), Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Safety, Managing Engineering Teams, Market Trends, Oracle Database, Product Development, Release Management, Requirements Management, Robot Framework, Robotics Programming, Sample Management, Software Applications, Solution Architecture, SQL Databases, System Designs, System Integration
Preferred Skills: Automation Technology
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:No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:No
Travel Requirements:10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:Hybrid
Shift:1st - Day
Valid Driving License:No
Hazardous Material(s):n/a
Job Posting End Date:06/26/2026
*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. 
