2027 Future Talent Program – West Point Vaccine Manufacturing Intern

MSD Malaysia; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Part time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. offers a Future Talent Program with internships up to 12 weeks in vaccine manufacturing at our West Point, PA site.

Interns work on projects across vaccine manufacturing operations, in-line support, and equipment facilities design to gain hands-on experience and professional growth. Qualified candidates are pursuing engineering or related science degrees and bring collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in engineering or related science (chemistry, biology, virology, microbiology) or manufacturing program.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills; lean six sigma experience/knowledge; and solid project management ability.
• Familiarity with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and data analytics is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve and/or optimize manufacturing processes.
• Support/lead projects tied to safety, compliance, and efficiency improvements in vaccine manufacturing.
• Assist in transferring products within Merck’s internal manufacturing network and help start up new facilities or Produk lines.

Skills

pharma manufacturing

collaboration

communication

lean six sigma

project management

cGMPs knowledge

data analytics

problem solving

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Job Description The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Manufacturing Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals. These positions provide candidates with great personal/career development opportunities and the opportunity to work on projects having an impact in vaccine manufacturing at our company. The positions are located at our West Point, PA site which is our company's largest and most complex vaccine manufacturing site and offers numerous technical and collaborative opportunities. The intern projects vary with current business needs and can be in one or more of the following areas:

VACCINE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Work as part of the team manufacturing life-saving vaccines for countries all over the world. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve and/or optimize manufacturing processes. Support/lead projects directly tied to improving the safety and/or compliance performance of the manufacturing areas.

IN-LINE AND NEW PRODUCT TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Work with operations and quality groups to maintain products at a high level of performance/compliance through completion of effective investigations, process improvement activities, and other key projects. Transfer products within our Company's internal manufacturing network or help start up new product and/or manufacturing facilities. Execute strategic technical projects to enhance our World Class Supply posture – decrease inventory, shorten cycle times, increase yields, lower costs, etc.

EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION

Support the design, build, and/or renovation of advanced manufacturing, laboratory, and/or office facilities. Potential involvement with all phases of project management from the first engineering drawing to the last phase of project start up. Work with cross-functional teams to improve reliability of equipment and facilities.

Required Education:

Candidates must be working toward an associate, bachelor's, or master’s degree in Chemical, Biochemical, Biomedical, Biological, Computer, Electrical, Packaging, or Mechanical Engineering or other related science (Chemistry, Biology, Virology, or Microbiology) or manufacturing related program (Biotechnology, Biomanufacturing, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, etc.).

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Candidates should have pharmaceutical or vaccine manufacturing-related experience.
• Candidates should have strong collaboration skills, strong communication skills, lean six sigma experience/ knowledge, and strong project management skills.
• Candidates should have knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), some data analytics experience, and strong problem-solving skills.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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

Company Culture and Diversity Statement

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.

Contract & Terms

• 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: Yes
• Hazardous Material(s): No
• Job Posting End Date: 10/30/2026

Job Information

Salary range: The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111

Job Posting End Date

10/30/2026 *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.

Company Overview

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.