Lead Engineering Technician: GMP Maintenance & PLC Lead

Merck; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Milton Keynes seeks a Lead Engineering Technician to supervise and coordinate day-to-day maintenance across the site and logistics operations. You will lead a team, prioritise PPM and breakdown work, and provide hands-on fault-finding and repairs aligned with GMP and EHS policies.

You will mentor technicians, manage work orders, and collaborate with Production, Quality and Engineering Management to improve reliability and efficiency while fostering continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Recognised engineering apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
• Strong mechanical and/or electrical maintenance background within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience providing technical leadership or supervising maintenance activities.
• Desirable: GMP deviations, CAPAs and engineering investigations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support engineering technicians, providing technical guidance and coordinating daily workloads.
• Prioritise planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance and breakdown activities to minimise operational disruption.
• Provide hands-on technical support with fault finding, troubleshooting and equipment repairs.
• Ensure engineering activities are completed safely and in accordance with GMP, EHS and site procedures.
• Support engineering investigations, root cause analysis (RCA), deviations and CAPAs.
• Oversee maintenance documentation and ensure work orders are completed accurately and within required timescales.
• Coordinate external contractors and specialist maintenance activities.
• Work closely with Production, Quality and Engineering Management to support manufacturing requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, maintenance efficiency and team performance.
• Mentor and develop engineering technicians, promoting technical competency and continuous improvement.

Skills

CAPA Management

CMMS

Electrical Maintenance

Engineering Principle

Equipment Inspection

HVAC Systems

Interpret Electrical Drawings

Maintenance Management

Manufacturing

Mechanical Maintenance

Organizational Effectiveness

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Preventive Maintenance

PLC Engineering

Safety Compliance

Technical Support

Education

Engineering apprenticeship

HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in engineering

Tools

SAP

Job description

Merck in Milton Keynes seeks a Lead Engineering Technician to supervise and coordinate day-to-day maintenance across the site and logistics operations. You will lead a team, prioritise PPM and breakdown work, and provide hands-on fault-finding and repairs aligned with GMP and EHS policies.

You will mentor technicians, manage work orders, and collaborate with Production, Quality and Engineering Management to improve reliability and efficiency while fostering continuous improvement.