This role pays less than
85%
of similar roles. Most pay
$132,000–$221,250
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$112k
versus about
$177k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About MSD
MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) is the international name for Merck & Co., a major U.S.-based pharmaceutical company.
MSD currently has
33 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$117,000–$184,200
across 33 roles with salary data.
The Scientist, Engineering role sits within the Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology department, focusing on pharmaceutical process development and supply for small molecule solid dosage drug products. You will plan, conduct, and interpret development studies including scale-up, technology transfer, design space development, clinical and stability batch manufacture, and process validation. The daily work involves participating in drug product working groups, performing physical testing, and authoring technical documents like experimental protocols and regulatory filings. Key responsibilities include applying Quality by Design principles, risk-based approaches, and design of experiments while utilizing data analytics and process modeling. Essential skills include chemical engineering, pharmaceutical science knowledge, and experience with cGMP standards. You will solve complex technical problems to move products from pilot to commercial scale, ensuring robust manufacturing processes for new medicines entering the market through various regulatory stages.
What does a Scientist earn?
Median $140950 from 34 postings across 9 companies.
Plan, conduct, and interpret pharmaceutical process development studies including scale-up, technology transfer, and process validation.
Apply Quality by Design principles, risk-based approaches, and design of experiments (DoE) to solve technical problems.
Author technical documents such as experimental protocols, reports, and regulatory filings.
Evaluate new technologies and equipment while performing physical testing and data analysis.
Execute hands-on development and manufacturing from pilot scale to commercial production.
Ensure all processes comply with applicable safety standards and current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).
Support digital and data analytics initiatives to improve process modeling and monitoring.
What we're looking for
A Bachelor's degree and two years of related experience or a Master's degree and one year of related experience in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline.
Strong written and oral communication skills including technical writing experience.
Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team to execute against commitments.
Experience with process scale-up and technology transfer from laboratory to pilot and commercial scales (preferred).
Familiarity with the concepts and application of cGMP during pharmaceutical development and production (preferred).
Experience with data analytics, process modeling, and/or statistical process control (preferred).
Hands-on experience in a laboratory, pilot plant, or manufacturing facility (preferred).
Demonstrated capability to design and execute experiments with focus on mechanism, robustness, productivity, and cost (preferred).
cGMP
Process Development
Design of Experiments (DOE)
Quality by Design
Process Scale-up
Technology Transfer
Chromatographic Techniques
Small Molecule Synthesis
Data Analytics
Statistical Process Control
Process Modeling
Chemistry
Chemical Engineering
Manufacturing
Validation
CMC
Process Development
Scale-up
Technology Transfer
cGMP
GDocP
Design of Experiments
Process Modeling
Organic Chemical Synthesis
Wet Chemistry
Process Analytical Technologies (PAT)
Chemical Engineering
cGMP
Chemical Engineering
Process Engineering
Facility Engineering
Pilot Plant Operations
DeltaV
PLC
SOP
PHA
LOPA
Quality Control Systems
Change Management
Containment Systems
Electronic Batch Records
Safety Compliance
Chemical Engineering
Process Development
Technology Transfer
Design of Experiments (DOE)
cGMP
Wet Chemistry
Process Scale-up
Data Analysis
Statistical Data Analysis
Pharmaceutical Process Development
Quality Risk Management
Technical Writing
Good Documentation Practices (GDP
Bioprocess Engineering
Vaccine Development
Drug Product Manufacturing
Process Characterization
Technology Transfer
Scale-up
Process Validation
cGMP
Quality by Design
DOE
Statistical Process Control
Multivariate Analysis
Process Analytical Technologies
Protein Purification
Technical Writing
Data Analytics
Computer Modeling