Associate Director of HVAC Engineering

Merck; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking an Associate Director of HVAC Engineering within Global Engineering Solutions to lead and guide HVAC design across global capital projects. The role emphasizes delivering compliant, innovative solutions that support manufacturing, research, and facility infrastructure while aligning with internal standards and industry best practices.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in HVAC design and strong leadership, with a track record in cross-functional collaboration, design governance,

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or applicable science degree is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the design of HVAC and associated systems.
• Experience leading HVAC engineering on capital projects across manufacturing and facilities.

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 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 Company standards, are technically sound, and sufficiently complete.

Skills

HVAC design

Capital project execution

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

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 associa