Associate Specialist, Engineering

MSD Malaysia; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Merck is seeking an Associate Specialist, Engineering - Platform Assembly and Packaging Technical Leadership to join the Packaging Technical Operations team. You will work with experienced leaders and cross-functional teams to solve manufacturing challenges, support new product introductions, and improve packaging and device assembly processes globally.

You will gain hands-on experience in problem-solving, risk management, technology transfer, and lifecycle improvements while building a

Qualifications

• Exposure to packaging and device assembly processes.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across multiple teams and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide packaging and assembly knowledge to ensure technical rigor and execution across the platform portfolio.
• Develop and maintain technical plans for device assembly, packaging, and distribution/logistics.
• Support risk management, tech transfers, and lifecycle improvements across platforms.

Skills

Coordination

Accountability

Cold Chain Management

Commercialization

Engineering Design

Packaging Technologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in packaging, mechanical, chemical, or biochemical engineering

Job description

Associate Specialist, Engineering -Platform Assembly and Packaging Technical Leadership

Join our Packaging and Assembly Technical Leadership team and help bring new medicines to patients. In this early-career engineering role, you will work with experienced technical leaders and cross-functional teams to solve real manufacturing challenges, support new product introductions, and improve packaging and device assembly processes across a global network. You will gain hands-on experience in technical problem-solving, risk management, technology transfer, and lifecycle improvement while building a strong foundation for a career in pharmaceutical assembly and packaging engineering. The Packaging Technical Operations organization aims to be an industry leader in delivering robust and pragmatic technical solutions to accelerate the commercialization of new products, and ensuring an uninterrupted, compliant supply of commercialized products for the benefit of patients. The Associate Specialist for Platform Packaging and Assembly Technical Leadership is integral to this mission.

Essential Responsibilities

Provide packaging and assembly knowledge to ensure scientific rigor, technical problem solving and execution excellence across the packaging and combination product assembly platform portfolio, including: Support the development and execution of robust technical plans across device assembly, packaging, and/or distribution and logistics of packaged product Analyze data, participate in technical reviews and explore alternative approaches to solve problems. Contribute to proactive risk management activities, including risk assessment, risk mitigation, and risk communication strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that all packaging and assembly platforms meet safety, efficacy, quality, and robust supply standards. Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to facilitate effective technical support. Support lifecycle management changes and tech transfers for the platform components, equipment, and processes.

Minimum Education Requirements and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in packaging, mechanical, chemical, or biochemical engineering; pharmaceutical science; chemistry; or a related discipline. Advanced degrees are welcome but not required.

Required Skills and Experience

Exposure to assembly, packaging, manufacturing processes, components, or equipment through coursework, internships, co‑ops, research, or work experience. Curiosity and enthusiasm for learning packaging, device assembly, or manufacturing technologies. Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills with an ability to interrogate the science and detect critical flaws including the ability to determine areas of potential risk. Interest in working across technical disciplines and contributing to products that benefit patients. Good technical writing, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders. Able to contribute effectively across multiple teams, organize priorities, and follow through on commitments. Demonstrates accountability for assignments and outcomes.

Required Skills

Ability to Coordinate, Ability to Coordinate, Accountability, Cold Chain Management, Commercialization, Competency Management, Critical Thinking, Engineering Design, Engineering Standards, Life Cycle Planning, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Materials Science, Packaging Engineering, Packaging Equipment, Packaging Innovation, Packaging Processes, Packaging Science, Packaging Technologies, Packaging Testing, Product Innovations, Product Launch Planning, Product Rollouts, Risk Mitigation, Risk Mitigation Strategies, Schedule Adherence {+ 4 more}

Salary

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.

Benefits

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.

Legal & Compliance

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.

Professional Details

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: Domestic
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
• Shift: 1st - Day
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): NA
• Job Posting End Date: 10/23/2026
• *A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date.

Company

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.