Associate Specialist, Engineering

Merck; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 72,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays & vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck in Durham, North Carolina seeks an Associate Specialist in the Continuous Improvement team. The role provides technical support to vaccine manufacturing with focus on process improvement and high-impact projects.

You will lead and execute continuous improvement efforts, support equipment, investigations, and change control, while collaborating with Quality, Planning and Operations to meet schedules and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• As a BS degree holder, you bring engineering or science fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Implement continuous improvement projects and support equipment and investigations.
• Support and execute projects to increase compliance, standardize processes, and gain efficiencies.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing for complex process/equipment issues.
• Design and conduct experimental protocols using lab facilities or production equipment.
• Authors and updates technical and manufacturing documents for engineering studies and change control.
• Support regulatory inspection activities for the facility.
• Provide on-the-floor support for process/equipment issues on the shop floor.
• Close projects to improve process performance, CAPAs, right-first-time outcomes, and yield/efficiency gains.
• Support safety, environmental and compliance objectives.
• Manage project timelines and remediation plans to meet milestones.
• Collaborate with area Coaches, Operators/Mechanics, Quality, Planning.

Skills

Adaptability

Applied Mathematics

Chemical Engineering Fundamentals

Chemical Plant Operations

Data Analysis

Engineering Standards

Estimation and Planning

Field Failure Analysis

Manufacturing Scale-Up

Oral Solid Dosage

Process Optimization

Professional Engineering

Site Supervision

Teamwork

Troubleshooting

Education

B.S. Degree in Engineering or Sciences

Job description

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Specialist to join the Continuous Improvement team in Durham, North Carolina.

The Associate Specialist, Technical Operations engineer is responsible for providing technical support to the vaccine manufacturing areas within Technical Operations with a focus on process improvement and high impact projects.

Position Responsibilities

• Implementing continuous improvement projects as well as supporting equipment and investigations as required.
• Supports and/or executes continuous improvement projects that increase compliance, simplify/ standardize and/or gain efficiencies.
• Provides technical support to manufacturing for complex problems and issues including process/equipment.
• Designs and conducts experimental protocols as needed using the Technical Operations lab facilities and/or production equipment at full scale.
• Authors and updates technical and manufacturing documents necessary for engineering studies, change control.
• Supports regulatory inspection activities for the facility
• Provides on-the-floor support of operational and technical (process/equipment) issues on the shop floor.
• Completes projects to improve the performance of our processes, including investigation Corrective/Preventative Actions (CAPAs), projects aimed at improving Right-First-Time performance or preventing/reducing deviations, and value capture projects that seek to improve yield/efficiency, reduce cost, or lower our processing cycle times.
• Supports team safety, environmental, and compliance objectives.
• Manages project timelines to ensure key compliance and customer due dates are met; escalating any potential delays and develop remediation plans when possible.
• Collaborates effectively with the area Coaches, Operators/Mechanics, support groups, Quality, and Planning.

Required Experience And Skills

• B.S. Degree in Engineering or Sciences.
• Communication, leadership and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage projects/work to schedule/deadlines.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Experience in biologics, vaccine or bulk sterile manufacturing facilities.
• Experience using Lean/Six Sigma tools.

Travel

• Up to 10% #MSJR #EBRG's #VetJobs

Required Skills

Adaptability, Applied Mathematics, Chemical Engineering Fundamentals, Chemical Plant Operations, Data Analysis, Engineering Standards, Estimation and Planning, Field Failure Analysis, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Oral Solid Dosage, Process Optimization, Professional Engineering, Site Supervision, Teamwork, Troubleshooting

Requirements

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

The salary range for this role is

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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.

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.

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.

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

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

Cleaning Supplies

Job Posting End Date

09/10/2026

• 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

R414450