2027 Future Talent Program - Vaccine Manufacturing Co-op

Merck; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking a motivated Future Talent Program co-op to support vaccine manufacturing at the West Point, PA site. You will work on real projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and gain exposure to GMP practices and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will develop problem-solving and leadership skills through hands-on assignments, mentorship, and Lean Six Sigma tools, with a chance to contribute to key process improvements and safety initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an Associates, BS, or MS in an engineering discipline or related field.
• Pursuing an Associates, BS, or MS in chemistry, biology, biotech, microbiology, virology, or related business engineering track.

Responsibilities

• On-the-floor support for operational and technical issues across manufacturing of vaccines at West Point site.
• Conduct deviation investigations: root cause, corrective actions, event scope, product impact assessments.
• Lead projects to improve process performance, yield, cost, and cycle times using Lean Six Sigma tools.
• Support safety, environmental, and compliance objectives.
• Collaborate with area managers, operators, maintenance, automation, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Deliver progress updates to mentor and develop personal and professional skills.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree (Chemical/Mechanical/Biomedical) or related

Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Microbiology/Virology or Business and Engineering

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.

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 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.

Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111 FTP2027 MD2027 SWE SHPE

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.

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: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement 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

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

Employee Status

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

no

Job Posting End Date

12/16/2026

• 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: R422481