Assoc. Tech, Operations

Merck; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck is seeking an Associate Technician to support Drug Substance operations, including aseptic handling, equipment setup, and quality recordkeeping. The role spans daily manufacturing activities, safety training, and adherence to GMP requirements within a regulated environment.

Minimum education includes high school or GED with preferred science-related degree; ability to lift 50 lbs and pass medical clearances. Day shift, some overtime may apply.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED or higher
• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills
• Must be able to pass aseptic gowning qualifications (gowning requires full coverage)
• Computer literacy (internet, email, spreadsheets, word processing)
• Ability to lift 50 lbs, bend, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb ladders, wear respirator
• Day shift Mon-Fri 06:00–14:30; overtime may be required
• TB titer and Chest X-ray required
• Occasional respirator use for specific tasks
• Preferred: associate's degree in science or related field
• BioWork Certificate and GMP/ GDP familiarity
• Experience with automated systems (MES, SAP, DeltaV, GLIMS)
• On-the-floor cGMP familiarity

Responsibilities

• Support operations as the subject matter expert through PPQ, licensure, and ramp-up
• Identify and address compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations
• Participate in HAZOPS, waste walkthroughs, 5S, kaizen events, and related training initiatives
• Meet production targets: setup, operation, maintenance, and inventory transport
• Maintain detailed recordkeeping and housekeeping
• Drive continuous improvement and suggest ideas for group success
• Support technical and OPEX activities like Kaizen events and sampling
• Maintain knowledge of equipment and processes
• Notify appropriate personnel of deviations

Skills

Communication skills

Aseptic gowning qualifications

Computer literacy

Physical strength (lift 50 lbs)

Production coordination

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's degree in science or related field

Tools

MES

SAP

DeltaV

GLIMS

Job description

Job Description

This role is within a end-to-end facility which includes the processing of drug substance, drug product, including biotech culture growth, harvest, lyophilization, product inspection, utilities, and warehouse.

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork. As part of our global team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to;

Project Support

• Supports team as operations expert through PPQ, licensure and ramp up of facility.
• Identifies and addresses compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations as appropriate while coordinating with appropriate personnel.
• Actively participate in team meetings HAZOPS, waste walkthroughs, 5S, kaizen events, or any other operations, lean six-sigma, quality, safety or environmental training/initiatives as required.

Operational Expertise

• Competent execution and ownership to meet production targets for area within responsibility including: Attending and escalation of concerns or needs at daily huddles and as needed Cleaning, setup, operation and troubleshooting of equipment and facilities Maintenance and transportation of consumable and material inventories Maintenance of excellent recordkeeping and housekeeping
• Drives culture of continuous improvement. Implements and raises ideas to increase success of group
• Participates on and/or performs activities to support technical and OPEX functions such as Kaizen events, ad-hoc sampling, or protocol execution.
• Maintains detailed knowledge of equipment and processes.
• Identifies and addresses compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations as appropriate while notifying appropriate personnel.

Education Minimum Requirement

• High School Diploma/GED or higher

Required Experience And Skills

• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills
• Must be able to successfully pass and maintain aseptic gowning qualifications. Aseptic gowning requires that all skin and hair be covered through wearing the following: beard/mustache cover, hair net, hood and facemask, goggles, jumpsuit, gloves, and boots.
• Computer literacy (internet browsers, e-mail, spreadsheets, word processing)
• Must be willing and able to lift 50 lbs, bend, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb ladders, and wear a respirator
• This position will be Mon-Fri, day shift (06:00 - 14:30). Some overtime may be required as business needs dictate
• Successful completion of TB titer and Chest X-ray are required.
• This position will require the occasional use of a respirator/Power Air Purifying Respirator to complete specific tasks.

Preferred Experience And Skills (General)

• Minimum associate's degree in science or related field
• BioWork Certificate (working in an FDA or similar regulated industry)
• Applicable mechanical and project management experience
• Experience with automated systems (MES, SAP, DeltaV, GLIMS, or similar)
• Experience with on-the-floor cGMP manufacturing and familiarity with regulatory requirements and Good Documentation Practices (GDP)
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a part of a team

Associate Technician supporting Drug Substance operations

• Aseptic Behaviors
• Aseptic Techniques & Manipulations
• cRAB/Isolator Experience
• Environmental Monitoring
• Report review/approval and batch record review

The salary range for this role is: $43,100 - $67,800

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.

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.

Required Skills

Ability to Coordinate, Ability to Coordinate, Accountability, Applied Research, Chemical Plant Operations, Cleanroom Gowning, Competency Management, Computer Literacy, Customer Communications, Equipment Maintenance, Equipment Set Up, Information Technology (IT), ITIL Framework, Material Selection, Numeracy, Process Improvements, Production Management, Production Scheduling, Protective Clothing, Quality Monitoring, Quality Reporting, Recordkeeping, Records Review, Safety Compliance, Safety Procedures {+ 5 more}

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

Regular

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)

Cleaning Supplies, seed stock

Job Posting End Date

10/26/2026

• 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

R422030