Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

Job Description

Strategic Summary

The Senior Automation Engineer is responsible for day-to-day operations support activities for process control systems in a vaccine manufacturing facility. the Senior engineer will be the lead engineer of a small team of 4-5 engineers providing day to day coordination of tasks, serving as the first point of escalation for the area, and acting as the primary automation change control approver. The automation technologies may include but are not limited to the following technologies:  Distributed Control Systems (Delta V), Programmable Logic Controllers (Allen Bradley), OEM systems to include Washers, Autoclaves, and purified water systems (WFI/Clean Steam).

Key Responsibilities:

• Understand and support all GMPs, safety, and environmental regulations
• System upgrades, troubleshooting issues, identifying trends, process monitoring, system administration, documentation updates, data querying, operator training and participating in deviation investigations.
• Insure automation documents, preventive maintenance, periodic reviews, and SOPs are in an inspection-ready state
• Support process automation inquiries during internal and external audits/inspections and must, therefore, be able to speak knowledgeably about automation, process and cGMP details of the manufacturing operations
• Evaluate automated and information technology systems and develop strategies to optimize and ensure the quality and stability of automation systems through future expansion, replacement, or upgrade
• Use their technical knowledge to assure the efficient operation of a variety of automated processing and information technology systems
• Lead in installation and qualification of new equipment into operations
• Develop solutions for automation problems
• Participate and contribute to investigations of automation anomalies to prevent a recurrence, which includes on-the-floor support of manufacturing activities
• Lead in the development of technical requirements, keeping in mind the associated technology needs, benefits, and risks
• Analyze complex business requirements using tools and techniques and identifies internal/external solutions to meet these requirements
• Lead in developing control strategies and apply computerized tools that will deliver tangible improvements to overall production unit performance
• Communicate daily with the business, technical, and quality representatives within the area of support through the tier process
• Provide off-site weekend/evening automation phone or on-site support on a rotational basis
• Familiar with lean manufacturing principles with an ability to convert business logic and requirements into detailed system requirements

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Science, Information Technology or other relevant discipline

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 6 years experience in process automation or equivalent
• Work independently and as a Team member with Integrity | Precision | Accomplishment | Motivational Ambition | Respect | Inclusion
• Experience in Automation Platforms such as DCS's (DeltaV), PLCs (Allen Bradley, Siemens), SCADA, OSI PI, Batch Reporting (Informetric InfoBatch)

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with Computer System Validation preferred

Required Skills:

Audit Management, Automation, Business Process Improvements, Control Strategy, Data Management, Distributed Control System (DCS), Periodic Reviews, Problem Management, Process Automations, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Quality Management, Real-Time Programming, Science, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), System Administration, Technical Requirements, Water Purification

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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EEOC GINA Supplement​

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/8/2026

*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.

For more details click Job Post.