Assoc. Dir., Engineering

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, seeks an Associate Director of Automation to lead the Building Automation and Utilities Control System teams.

You will drive reliability of site industrial control systems, advance digital strategies, and implement data visualization and analytics to enable informed decisions. This role requires a Bachelor's in engineering or related field and 7+ years in automation; you will guide multi-functional projects, improve assets, and collaborate with stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science technology, automation, mathematics, or statistical analysis.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in automation, control systems, data analysis, or a related field.
• Experience developing and maintaining Building Management Systems (BMS) and Building Automation Systems (BAS).
• Proven ability to lead projects and build team self-sufficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead Building Automation team and BAS/BMS operation, maintenance, and enhancement.
• Lead Utilities Control System team to ensure reliable operation of critical utilities.
• Drive digital transition with data analytics and dashboards across GWES Rahway.

Skills

Building Management Systems

Building Automation Systems

Data analytics

Leadership

Project management

Data visualization

Industry control systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO)

ABB DCS

Allen-Bradley PLC

Historians

OPC Servers

Aveva PI

Python

SQL

Job description

Our Company

Our Company is a global biopharmaceutical leader with a portfolio of prescription medicines, oncology, vaccines, and animal health products. We are driven by our purpose to develop and deliver innovative products that save and improve lives. With employees operating in more than 140 countries, we offer state‑of‑the‑art laboratories, plants, and offices that are designed to inspire our employees as we learn, develop, and grow in our careers. We are proud of our 125 years of service to humanity and continue to be one of the world’s biggest investors in Research & Development.

Position Summary

Associate Director of Automation, GWES Rahway Operations, Utility and Energy Operations. This position will primarily be responsible for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of site Industrial Control Systems. This role will lead and manage the Building Automation team and the Utilities Control System team. A key part of the role will be to support and administer all Utility industrial control systems. Furthermore, this position is crucial for advancing the organization’s digital transition, specifically by developing methods to extract wisdom and knowledge from data and information. The incumbent will collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement digital strategy for teams. This role will also develop a plan to utilize data visualization, data analysis, data monitoring, and data modeling to enable better business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage the Building Automation team, overseeing the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of Building Management Systems (BMS) and Building Automation Systems (BAS). Lead and manage the Utilities Control System team, ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of critical utility systems. Drive the digital transition by developing and implementing strategies to extract wisdom and knowledge from data and information, fostering innovation in data analytics and utilization across GWES Rahway. Develop tools metrics, dash boards and performance indicators to assess the performance of the controls systems. Assess the controls system to reduce cognitive overload, eliminate alarm fatigue, and ensure operators can respond effectively to abnormal situations. Develop a plan to utilize data visualization, data analysis, data monitoring, and data modeling to enable better business decisions. Integrate statistical data into visual dashboards to transform information into insights and business decisions, drawing from equipment history, process data, operating procedures, and Failure Modes Effect Analysis and many other data streams. Locate and define new process improvement opportunities. Aid Operations in identifying and managing asset reliability risks that could impact utility and facility operations. Apply technical skills and ingenuity to correct equipment and system problems that result in downtime or consume excessive maintenance resources or energy.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience Required

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science technology, automation, mathematics, or statistical analysis. At least 7 years of relevant experience in automation, control systems, data analysis, or a related field. Experience developing and maintaining Building Management Systems (BMS) and Building Automation Systems (BAS), including Historian, OPC Servers, IO devices, and Smart Devices. Proven ability to lead projects, developing teams, and building team self-sufficiency. Experience leading multiple large-scale automation initiatives, including data management and data governance. Demonstrated skills in written, verbal, and interpersonal communication, technical problem-solving, and building partnerships. Strong leadership and team‑building skills, with the ability to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Experience in using the following systems and applications: Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO), ABB DCS, Allen‑Bradley PLC based systems, , Historians, OPC Servers, Aveva PI, Python, SQL, Wunderlich‑Malec Engineering’s Environmental Information Systems, or Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) SCADA systems.

Required Skills

Accountability, Accountability, Business Decisions, Business Metrics, Business Process Improvements, Change Management, Collaborative Leadership, Contractor Oversight, Data Management Platforms, Electrical Power Engineering, Engineering Design, Engineering Standards, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Management, Equipment Troubleshooting, HVAC Systems, Identifying Risks, Maintenance Processes, Management Control Systems, Market Opportunity Analysis, Metrics Development, Model Driven Design, Performance Dashboards, Process Improvements, Re Engineering, Safety Leadership {+ 8 more}

Preferred 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. 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. 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 U.S. State Acts.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $129,000.00 - $203,100.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Additional Information

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: Regular 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: 09/30/2026 *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.

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.