Assoc. Dir., Engineering

MSD Malaysia; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks an Associate Director Estimator to provide advanced cost solutions for capital projects, from feasibility through funding and start-up. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, drive TIC estimates, and coordinate data from internal and external partners.

You will apply strong estimating, planning and benchmarking skills, with travel up to 30% and remote work flexibility in a dynamic Biotech/Pharma environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of estimating, project control, capital management or project management experience.
• Strong knowledge of estimating, capital management and financial processes.
• Broad pharma/biotech industry knowledge across multiple project types.
• Excellent communication and leadership across levels.
• Strong Excel, Word, and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% and work remotely as needed.
• Lean/Six Sigma and/or AI fluency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating effort for capital and expense projects with multi-discipline teams.
• Prepare TIC estimates including conceptual schedules and staffing plans.
• Gather and validate estimate data from internal and external sources.
• Review and validate third-party estimates and reconcile results.
• Lead risk analysis sessions and contingency determinations.
• Support project benchmarking and cost database maintenance.
• Develop budgets with standard WBS and cost tabulations across projects.
• Evaluate market conditions in collaboration with Cost Controller and external suppliers.

Skills

Estimating

Project control

Capital management

Project management

Communication

Analytical skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Presentation skills

Lean/Six Sigma

AI fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

@RISK

Job description

Job Summary: The Associate Director Estimator is a key position in GES Project & Business Services whose mandate is to provide effective and innovative cost solutions to projects for our business partners to maximize value and ensure successful project execution. The successful candidate will provide technical support for planning and estimating capital projects, from feasibility studies through final funding and project execution and start-up. The Estimator must possess strong estimating, planning, and benchmarking skills. The position supports multiple projects, that range from less than $5MM to $1B+ total installed cost (TIC).

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating effort for capital and expense projects and studies, working with the AE/CM, Digitial/IT, Business Sponsor, and multi-discipline project teams.
• Prepare Total Installed Cost (TIC) estimates, including conceptual schedules and staffing plans, for concept and siting studies.
• Gather and validate estimate information from multiple groups both internal and external to the company.
• Review and validate trade partners estimates.
• Ability to review all disciplines of the cost and scope aspects of third-party estimates and manage the reconciliation process in a collaborative team setting.
• Lead estimate risk analysis sessions and fit-for-purpose contingency determinations.
• Project cost trending, such as implementing Target Value Delivery, on projects from concept through final funding.
• Support project benchmarking efforts, both internally and through external relationships.
• Support maintenance of the department cost database, estimate assemblies, and cost modelling tools.
• Lead and support preparation of project return cost data (i.e. actuals) and close-out reports.
• Support the front-end planning and funding process (schedule, resources, due diligence, market analysis, risk analysis, etc...).
• Manage internal estimate resources and provide appropriate direction for external workers in the region.
• Ability to act as a mentor within the estimating group and coach/educate project teams throughout the FEL process and FEL phase-specific estimating methodologies and key inputs.
• In collaboration with the project Cost Controller function, set up project budgets per a standard WBS, and assist in developing a breakout for trade bid package cost tabulations, ensuring continuity of contract and spend tracking that is able to be mapped back to estimating format (end to end cost management support).
• In collaboration with the Estimating Steward, Global Capital Procurement, and external suppliers, evaluate current market conditions and use the information in the estimating process.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (Engineering discipline and advanced education preferred)
• Required: 10 + years of Estimating, Project Control, Capital Management and/or Project Management experience
• Strong knowledge of estimating, capital management and financial processes.
• Broad knowledge of the Pharma and Biotech industry across multiple project types (drug substance, drug product, lab, large molecule, small molecule, etc.) and all lines of business (R&D, Human Health, Animal Health)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with all levels in the organization and proven leadership demonstrated over multiple assignments
• Strong Microsoft Excel, Word, Presentation skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to travel across Company sites up to 30% of the time with emphasis on ability to conduct work remotely
• Preferred: AI-fluency and curiosity in AI use case experimentation.
• Ability to convert proof of concept applications into standard, repeatable work to drive efficiency and scale estimating expertise.
• Experience in Lean Project Delivery Methodologies (e.g. Target Value Delivery and Last Planner, Takt planning)
• Knowledge of Estimating and Information Management systems
• Strategic planning or portfolio management experience
• Lean/Six Sigma experience, change management expertise
• Knowledge of AE, CM and Professional Service providers estimating means and methods @RISK software to execute Monte Carlo cost QRA exercises
• Knowledge of and passion for market conditions monitoring and education to the broader GES community and other internal stakeholders

Equal Employment Opportunity

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. 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

Location Restrictions

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

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Employment Details

Employee Status: Regular Relocation: No relocation VISA Sponsorship: No Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date

Job Posting End Date: 10/16/2026 *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.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $142,400.00 - $224,100.00 This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

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.

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.