2026 Future Talent Program - Vaccine Manufacturing Co-op

Merck; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 106,000; Part time

Job summary

Merck is offering a Future Talent Program Co-op in West Point, PA, focused on supporting vaccine production and related engineering activities. The six-month or longer assignments allow you to work on multiple projects and gain hands-on GMP experience on the manufacturing floor.

You will investigate deviations, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentors, and shop-floor personnel to develop technical and leadership skills in a fast-paced biopharma

Qualifications

• Candidates must be pursuing an Associates, BS, or MS degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Biomedical, or related Engineering discipline, or pursuing an Associates, BS, or MS degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Virology, or Business and Engineering.
• Strong communication, leadership and teamwork skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Providing on-the-floor support of operational and technical issues; collaborating with the shop floor on projects critical to vaccine manufacturing at West Point, PA.
• Performing deviation investigations to prevent recurrence, identifying root cause, corrective actions, and product impact.
• Completing projects to improve process performance, yield, cost, or cycle times; supporting safety, environmental and compliance objectives.
• Collaborating with area Managers, Operators/Mechanics, and support groups (Maintenance, Automation, Technology, Quality, Supply Chain).
• Executing projects and studies with right-first-time execution; championing Lean Six Sigma tools in problem solving and daily operations.
• Providing progress updates to mentors and developing personal and professional skills with assigned mentors.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Project leadership

Problem solving

Lean Six Sigma knowledge

Education

Engineering (Chemical/Mechanical/Biomedical) degree progress

Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Microbiology/Virology/Business and Engineering degree progress

Tools

Lean Six Sigma tools

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features co-operative assignments that last up to 6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Manufacturing & Supply Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

This position will report to vaccine production or engineering management and support ongoing operational activities. Given the close interaction with actual Good Manufacturing Practice manufacturing, candidates need to be prepared to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice gowning restrictions for some of their activities (e.g. remove jewelry, remove make-up, remove false nails, etc.).

This Position Is Responsible For But Not Limited To

• Providing on-the-floor support of operational and technical issues; collaborating with the shop floor on a variety of different projects and activities that are critical to ongoing manufacturing of vaccines at the West Point, PA site.
• Performing deviation investigations aimed to prevent deviation re-occurrence, including determining the root cause, identifying corrective/preventative actions, identifying event scope, and conducting a product impact assessment. Where applicable, complete investigational test protocols to determine root cause, product impact, event scope, etc.
• Completing projects to improve the performance of our processes and manufacturing performance, including projects aimed at improving Right-First-Time performance or preventing/reducing deviations, and continuous improvement projects that seek to improve yield, reduce cost, or lower our processing cycle times.
• Supporting team safety, environmental and compliance objectives.
• Collaboration with the area Managers, Operators/Mechanics, support groups (Maintenance, Automation, Technology, Quality, and Supply Chain).
• Executing projects and assigned studies in a right-first-time manner.
• Actively using and championing the use of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools, both in problem solving and day-to-day operational activities.
• Provide progress updates to mentor summarizing the status of the assignments that are underway.
• Work with assigned mentor to develop personal and professional skills.

This is a full-time Co-op position.

Required Education & Experience

• Candidate must be pursuing an Associates, BS, or MS degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Biomedical, or related Engineering discipline, or pursuing an Associates, BS, or MS degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Virology, or Business and Engineering.
• Candidates must have communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Candidates should have experience in biologics, vaccine or bulk sterile manufacturing facilities.
• Candidates should have experience using Lean/Six Sigma tools.
• Candidates should have capabilities for managing multiple tasks simultaneously, including leading small projects.
• Candidates should have experience in problem solving and/or troubleshooting

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is $39,600.00-$105,500.00 USD

#FTP2026 #MD2026

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.

Requirements

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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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

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

Employee Status

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

09/4/2026

• 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.

Requisition ID

R395900