Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

MSD Malaysia; Elkton (VA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Malaysia is seeking an Entry-Level Automation Associate Specialist to support automated manufacturing operations at our Elkton, Virginia campus. You will provide hands-on automation technical support in a 24/7 environment, working 12-hour rotating shifts and collaborating with a cross-functional team to ensure safe, compliant production.

The role requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, science, or business, plus the motivation to learn and grow in a fast-paced pharmaceutical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, or Business required.
• Hands-on automation troubleshooting in a 24/7 manufacturing setting preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration skills desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on automation support across the manufacturing site during 12-hour rotating shifts.
• Serve as initial contact for shop-floor automation issues and calls.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, DCS, and OEM automation platforms to sustain compliant operations.

Skills

Automation

PLC troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering/Science/Business

Tools

Emerson DeltaV

Allen-Bradley PLCs

OSI-PI

SQL Infobatch

Job description

Job Description

Entry‑Level Automation Associate Specialist
Location: Elkton, VA | 12‑Hour Rotating Shifts

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity with a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturer? If so, this role offers a unique opportunity to launch your engineering career supporting highly automated, life‑saving manufacturing operations. At our Elkton, Virginia campus, located in the Shenandoah Valley along the Shenandoah River and near the Blue Ridge Mountains, we are seeking entry‑level engineers to support and sustain manufacturing operations through hands‑on automation technical support in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Position Overview

This role is an operations‑focused, shop‑floor automation support position. The successful candidate will work 12‑hour rotating shifts, serving as first‑line technical support for automated manufacturing systems that produce pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and vaccine products. You will apply your technical skills, problem‑solving ability, and enthusiasm as part of a cross‑functional, multidisciplinary team responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hands‑on automation technical support across the manufacturing site while working 12‑hour rotating shifts (days/nights, weekends, and holidays as required)
• Serve as the initial point of contact for shop‑floor automation support calls
• Troubleshoot and support automation systems, including: programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), original equipment manufacturer (OEM) automation platforms
• Diagnose and resolve complex automation and equipment issues impacting: manufacturing yield, cycle time, reliability and uptime
• Maintain automation systems in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)
• Oversee investigations of automation anomalies and implement solutions to prevent recurrence
• Develop solutions for recurring automation problems and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide automation‑related training and technical guidance to operations and technical staff
• Write, review, and improve procedures for system administration and process operation
• Participate in process and equipment safety reviews
• Embrace and promote an empowered, diverse, and inclusive team culture

Education

Minimum Requirement: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, or Business

Required Qualifications

• Strong technical and analytical problem‑solving skills with a hands‑on, field‑first mindset
• Ability to evaluate issues from multiple perspectives, including safety, compliance, maintenance, automation, equipment, process, and people
• Strong desire to succeed individually while helping others succeed as a team
• Enthusiastic, confident self‑starter with a passion for continuous learning
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability and expectation to work onsite in an operational manufacturing setting

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Degree focus in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, computer science, integrated science, or physics
• Prior experience in manufacturing, engineering, science, or military environments
• Familiarity with or interest in automated manufacturing systems and control platforms
• Exposure to: Emerson DeltaV, Allen‑Bradley PLCs, OSI‑PI, SQL Infobatch, knowledge of batch processing and S88 standards, awareness of Good Automated Manufacturing Practice (GAMP) standards
• Strong personal motivation to work for a company dedicated to saving and improving lives
• Interest in building a diverse, long‑term career within an active manufacturing campus

Required Skills

Audit Management, Automation, Automation Solutions, Automation Technology, Breakdown Maintenance, Business Process Improvements, Control Logic, Data Management, Design Automation, Design for Maintainability, Electrical Engineering, Learning Agility, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Problem Management, Process Implementations, Process Safety, Production Management, Quality Management, Real‑Time Programming, Reliability Improvement, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), System Operations, Technical Training.

Preferred Skills

• US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

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.

Salary Range

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.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

Job Posting End Date

10/15/2026 *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.

Job Details

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: No relocation
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: No Travel Required
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: 1st - Day, 2nd - Evening, 3rd - Night
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): na

Company Overview

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.