Associate Director of HVAC Engineering

MSD; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking an Associate Director of HVAC Engineering to lead and guide global capital projects across manufacturing, research and facilities utilities. You will provide expert HVAC design, front-end planning input, and technical leadership to ensure compliant, efficient systems worldwide.

This role requires a BS in engineering, 10+ years in HVAC design for pharma/biotech, and strong collaboration with IPTs, QA, and safety teams.

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or applicable science field is required.
• 10+ years designing HVAC and related mechanical systems.
• Experience with pharma/biotech HVAC design and regulatory codes.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support HVAC design efforts for global capital projects.
• Provide SME guidance to project teams during front-end planning and detailed design.
• Develop and maintain engineering design standards and specifications.
• Collaborate with IPT members, vendors and QA, Safety & Global Quality.
• Support startup, commissioning and qualification activities for HVAC systems.

Skills

HVAC design

Engineering leadership

Front-end planning

Regulatory compliance

PFD & P&ID deliverables

AutoCAD

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Commissioning & startup

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or applicable science degree

Tools

AutoCAD

PFD & P&ID tools

2D/3D design tools

Job description

Job Description

Bring your engineering expertise to high-impact global capital projects and help turn business needs into innovative, compliant facility solutions worldwide.

Our Global Engineering Solutions (GES) organization is currently recruiting an Associate Director of HVAC Engineering

The Global Engineering Solutions team executes a wide variety of capital and expense projects to ensure that our company has the capabilities and facilities to meet our goal of providing the World Class Supply of Medicines and support our life saving objectives and is seeking a candidate to help deliver capital projects related to manufacturing, research and facilities utility infrastructure.

The role will report into, and under the guidance of, the Technology Center Director of the Global Design Engineering Solutions (DES) team within GES. This role will participate in leading the development of holistic global design solutions that support critical manufacturing and business objectives across multiple programs and business units.

The role will provide HVAC Engineering subject matter expertise across the front-end planning lifecycle, from early concept development and site selection through FEL 3 Basis of Design. The focus is on delivering solutions that align with business needs, internal standards, and industry best practices; enabling successful capital project execution through clear engineering definition; and ensuring systems are efficient, compliant, and fit for purpose. In addition, the role will support strengthening engineering design standards and governance while building trusted relationships and providing technical leadership across global initiatives.

The candidate will be responsible for developing the technical solutions for capital projects that support the business objectives of our Company Operating Units and is expected to bring forward a strong expertise in HVAC system design to capital project activities ranging from business case and concept development through start up and commissioning efforts.

The candidate shall possess strong subject matter expertise in the design, construction and operations of HVAC utility systems

The candidate will collaborate with other GES and Integrated Project Team (IPT) members (e.g., Project Management, Technology, Quality, Automation, Plant Operations and Safety), as well as Engineering Firms and Equipment Vendors to develop capital project design deliverables.

The candidate shall exhibit strong leadership and exemplary communication, and decision-making skills. The candidate should have a strong understanding of the line of business, maintain a strong link to industry, be able to influence multiple projects and is expected to develop and maintain technical knowledge in the respective areas of expertise.

Flexibility with travel and work location is required.

Primary Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Lead or support project HVAC design efforts, providing compliant, innovative solutions that meet business needs.
• Provide technical guidance to project teams for HVAC systems during the project scoping and front-end planning stages, including evaluation of alternative solutions for implementation on sterile, bulk biological, solid dosage, and laboratory facilities located throughout the world.
• Assist in supporting sustainability and energy-saving efforts on projects.
• Support major project design efforts and may lead small or minor project design efforts that meet business objectives.
• Ensure deliverables produced on projects conform to our Company standards, are technically sound, and sufficiently complete.
• Collaborate with and provide SME guidance to project teams during detailed design, construction, and installation of HVAC systems.
• Author and maintain engineering design standards, guidelines, practices, and position papers.
• Provide technical support and guidance during startup planning, commissioning, and qualification activities of HVAC systems on critical capital projects.
• Collaborate with global manufacturing site engineering teams to troubleshoot HVAC issues.
• Conduct project peer reviews and provide subject matter expertise on various projects.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of the latest industry technology trends.
• Interface and collaborate with our Company Global Quality and Global Safety & the Environment in the development and implementation of divisional guidance documents and initiatives.
• Interface with HVAC equipment vendors.
• Support and conduct field walk-downs during construction or troubleshooting on active capital projects.
• Mentor and coach junior engineers through oversight and technical guidance.
• Participate in industry professional or technical organizations.
• Operate within project and department cost and schedule constraints.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• A Bachelor of Science in Engineering or applicable science degree is required.

Required Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the design of HVAC and associated mechanical systems is required.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC and mechanical utility system design, engineering fundamentals, regulatory requirements, equipment sizing, specifications, and system troubleshooting.
• Prior experience with engineering design of HVAC systems in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or related industry.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply building and industry-related codes.
• Broad knowledge of HVAC system materials and fabrication techniques.
• Ability to generate drawing deliverables, project specifications, facility User Requirement Specifications (URS), and written design reports.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting of HVAC utility systems.
• Experience with cold temperature units (CTUs) and refrigeration systems.
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical abilities and a solid foundation in engineering fundamentals.
• Experience with capital projects that follow a stage-gate capital management process.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and other 2D/3D design tools, with the ability to produce layout, PFD, and P&ID deliverables.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally; approximately 30% global travel is anticipated.

Primary Work Location: West Point, PA; Secondary Work Location: Rahway, NJ; Durham , NC; Elkton, VA

Required Skills:

3D Designing, 3D Designing, Adaptability, Autodesk AutoCAD, Automation Systems, Capital Project Management, Change Management, Clinical Manufacturing, Communication Sciences, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Drug Product Manufacturing, Electromechanical Systems, Energy Conservation, Engineering Design, Engineering Principle, High Technology Industry, HVAC Design, HVAC Engineering, HVAC Systems, Industry Knowledge, Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Scale-Up {+ 9 more}

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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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:

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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.

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The primary location for this posting is:

USA - Pennsylvania - West Point

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This range reflects the Company’s reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Additional location(s):

Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation 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

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

11/6/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.