This role pays less than
78%
of similar roles. Most pay
$115,000–$162,000
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$112k
versus about
$138k
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.
Specialist, Engineering joins the Modality Agnostic Chemistry Scaleup Operations team within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development department. This role involves supporting a multi-modality drug substance development and manufacturing plant by contributing to equipment and facility design, system commissioning, qualification, and batch processing. The individual will collaborate with engineers, chemists, and safety representatives to ensure the quality of clinical supplies while managing project workstreams for a new facility. Key responsibilities include authoring GMP documentation, supporting compliance investigations, and overseeing process utility systems like WFI generation and vacuum systems. Required expertise includes chemical engineering, pilot plant operations, and experience with potent compound processing and containment systems. The role requires proficiency in cGMP guidelines, safety compliance, and automation systems such as DeltaV or PLC to solve complex manufacturing scale-up challenges for small molecules, macrocyclic peptides, and bioconjugates.
Contribute to equipment and facility design for a new multi-modality drug substance manufacturing plant.
Manage system commissioning and qualification activities to enable facility startup and batch processing.
Convert drug substance process requirements into executable steps and procedures for manufacturing.
Author GMP documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other compliance records.
Support compliance investigations and manage change control processes within a GMP environment.
Oversee the management of process utility systems such as WFI distribution, chillers, and vacuum systems.
Coordinate maintenance activities to ensure reliable facility operations and equipment uptime.
Perform Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and Level of Protection Analysis (LOPA) for potent compound processing.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field with 3 years of experience, or a Master's degree with 1 year of experience.
Experience working in a GMP clinical or manufacturing supply facility.
Experience in GMP facility design, equipment start-up, and/or qualification.
Experience in small and/or large molecule drug substance process development.
Ability to support compliance investigations and change management while following US and EU GMP and Safety regulations.
Ability to prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and cGMP documents.
Proficiency in chemical engineering, facility engineering, pilot plant operations, and quality control systems.
Experience with potent compound processing, containment systems, or automation systems like DeltaV (preferred); Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) or LOPA (preferred).
cGMP
MES
Delta V
SAP
Lean Six Sigma
Process Development
Validation
Change Control
Deviation Management
Risk Assessment
Chemical Engineering
Project Management
Data Analysis
GMP
Aseptic Technique
Commissioning
Qualification
Validation
Lean
Root Cause Analysis
Process Hazard Analysis
RCA
MS Access
Excel
Minitab
Power BI
R Shiny
Automation
Robotics
Predictive Analytics
cGMP
GMP
Pilot Plant Operations
Process Engineering
DeltaV
PLC
Root Cause Analysis
CAPA
MOC
PHA
LOPA
Chemical Process Development
Quality Systems
Electronic Batch Records
Manufacturing Processes
Scale-up
Containment Systems
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