Plant Engineer

Merck; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in animal health is seeking a Plant Engineer to lead maintenance and engineering activities at two production sites in Milton Keynes. The successful candidate will manage maintenance teams, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and tackle technical challenges in a dynamic environment. Required qualifications include a relevant engineering degree and experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute meaningfully to animal health and welfare.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and benefits package

Collaborative safety-first culture

Qualifications

• Engineering experience within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is essential.
• Practical experience maintaining HVAC, purified water and pure steam systems, autoclaves, refrigeration, and utilities is necessary.
• Understanding of cGMP and strong documentation practices is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage manufacturing maintenance teams.
• Own and maintain the maintenance master plan.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices.

Skills

Biopharmaceutical Operations

Change Management

Equipment Qualification

GMP Guidelines

Maintenance Supervision

Manufacturing Process Improvements

Process Qualification

Technical Support

Education

Higher National Certificate or Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

Job description

Overview

Job Description

About us: Join a trusted leader in Animal Health where science, quality and care come together to support healthier animals and stronger communities. We’re looking for a hands‑on, proactive Plant Engineer to lead maintenance and engineering activities across two UK production sites. If you thrive in a regulated manufacturing environment, enjoy solving technical challenges and coaching teams, this role offers variety, responsibility and real impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Primary and Secondary Manufacturing maintenance teams.
• Own and maintain the maintenance master plan, aligning activities with the production schedule.
• Ensure strict adherence to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and good documentation practice.
• Schedule and supervise external vendors and on‑site engineering contractors.
• Maintain and improve Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) systems, actively participating to ensure compliance.
• Plan, coordinate and manage maintenance and validation shutdowns.
• Identify, lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives with cross‑functional teams.
• Provide on‑the‑floor technical support to Production during root‑cause investigations and improvement projects.
• Support the delivery of maintenance group projects locally.
• Represent the maintenance function during internal and external quality and SHE audits.

What you’ll bring

Qualifications

• Higher National Certificate or Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (or equivalent experience).

Experience

• Engineering experience within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
• Practical experience maintaining equipment and systems common to pharmaceutical production, including but not limited to: HVAC, purified water and pure steam systems, autoclaves, refrigeration, pressure and process vessels, pipework and sterile components, utilities (steam, compressed air, nitrogen), electrical switchgear and controls, PLCs, SCADA and building management systems.
• Understanding of cGMP and strong documentation practices.
• Experience managing external contractors and using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Confident user of standard PC applications, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and Project.

Skills and attributes

• Highly organised, with excellent planning and prioritisation skills.
• Strong collaborative team player who can build relationships across functions.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication.
• High integrity, credibility and energy.
• Sound decision‑making and analytical skills; able to evaluate issues from multiple perspectives and deliver timely, well‑reasoned conclusions.
• Coachable and able to influence change through mentoring and motivation.
• Proactive problem solver with a track record of driving improvements through to closure.

Why join us

• Meaningful work that supports animal health and welfare.
• A collaborative, safety‑first culture with opportunities to lead and develop.
• Exposure to a variety of technical systems and projects in a regulated environment.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your engineering career and contribute to high‑quality animal health manufacturing, please apply now. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Closing Date for applications: 24/10/2025

Required Skills: Biopharmaceutical Operations, Change Management, Equipment Qualification, GMP Guidelines, Maintenance Supervision, Manufacturing Process Improvements, Process Qualification, Technical Support

Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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 in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status: Regular

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Job Posting End Date: 10/25/2025

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