Responsibilities
- Validation planning, strategy & readiness
- Lead end-to-end execution of complex system validation activities with end users across multiple system releases, ensuring alignment with program-level requirements, platform standards, and regulatory expectations
- Develop advanced validation strategies, risk assessments, coverage models, and test approaches that support large-scale system implementations and cross-functional platform initiatives
- Support cross-functional system readiness planning by evaluating validation impacts of new features, integrations, platform releases, automation workflows
- Test execution, defect management & issue resolution - Oversee end-to-end test execution for multiple systems or releases, proactively managing issue resolution, escalating risks, and ensuring timely delivery of validation milestones
- Ensure comprehensive traceability across requirements, design specifications, test cases, and objective evidence throughout the validation lifecycle; identify gaps and drive remediation
- Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities for complex issues identified during testing; guide teams on risk mitigation and quality improvements
- Documentation, compliance & continuous improvement – Provide expert review, guidance, and final approval for validation deliverables across the validation lifecycle (e.g., validation plans, test plans, test scripts, test summaries)
- Drive adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and regulatory requirements, and contribute to authoring, updating, and harmonizing validation-related processes, templates, and standards
- Monitor and report validation KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) across projects, identify systemic issues, and lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance validation quality, efficiency and audit and inspection readiness
- Serve as a validation subject matter expert during audits and inspections by preparing and presenting validation packages, responding to auditor questions, and ensuring availability of complete, traceable documentation
- Mentor junior validation staff by providing training, technical guidance, and quality oversight to ensure consistent execution of validation best practices
Technical skills
- Deep understanding of compliance and documentation standards, (e.g., GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, and audit traceability practices)
- Deep knowledge of validation lifecycle management, risk-based testing, and regulatory compliance frameworks
- Proficiency in enterprise test management tools and automation platforms
- Experience in implementing AI-augmented validation frameworks and model governance practices
Non‑Technical skills
- Lead day-to-day activities; drive issue triage to closure; coordinate stakeholders
- Mentor junior analysts on tools, checks, documentation quality and best practices
- Prioritize independently; Escalate with context, impact, and recommendation
- Translate technical topics for non-technical stakeholders; gain alignment on trade-offs
- Manage difficult conversations constructively; negotiate timelines/quality expectations
- Deliver crisp status, decisions and blockers; maintain decision logs
Enterprise Leadership Skills
- Decision Making | Identify and understand problems and opportunities by gathering, analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information; solve complex problems and apply knowledge of business challenges; able to weigh multiple options and implications
- Motivation & Inspiration | Communicate effectively, promote teamwork and open discussion, effectively communicate and engage / motivate teammates; inspire others toward higher levels of performance aligned with organization's Purpose and Strategic Framework
- Coaching & Development | Build self-insight, demonstrate awareness of own strengths and development needs as well as impact of own behavior on others; modify behavior based on self-awareness to improve impact, serve as a resource for colleagues, coaches and guide others
Qualifications & experience
Non-Degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience working in relevant field for associated job description (System Validation or Testing Lead role)
OR [Minimum preferred] Associate's Degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience working in relevant field for associated job description (System Validation or Testing Lead role)
OR Bachelor's Degree with minimum of 5 years’ experience working in relevant field for associated job description (System Validation or Testing Lead role)
OR Advanced Degree (Masters or Doctorate) with minimum of 2 years’ experience working in relevant field for associated job description (System Validation or Testing Lead role)
Additional location(s)
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA
Employee Information
Employee Status: Regular Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s):
Company Information
Merck & Co. 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.
Required Skills
- Adaptability
- CAPA Management
- Clinical Data Management
- Clinical Research
- Code of Federal Regulations Title 21
- Communication
- Continuous Improvement Techniques
- Data Analysis
- Data Quality Assurance
- Data Reporting
- Data Review
- Data Validation
- Defects Management
- Enterprise Leadership
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
- Inspection Readiness
- Key Metrics
- Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Improvement
- Medical Terminology
- Project Coordination
- Risk-Based Testing
- System Implementations
- System Validation
- Teamwork
Company Description
Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.