Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

MSD KK; Rahway (NJ); Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck Gruppe - MSD Sharp & Dohme in Rahway, NJ seeks an Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation to deliver automation systems for Digital Manufacturing Operations. You will collaborate with Automation and IT teams, vendors and partners to execute projects on time and within budget.

The role covers day-to-day operations support, capital project support, SDLC artifacts, validation, and ensuring cGMP compliance. Strong problem solving, communication, and team collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in automation, CS, or software engineering.
• Experience with DCS, PLC, BMS and SCADA systems.
• Data historian and reporting systems.
• Computer System Validation.
• Automation project experience.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Regulatory/compliance awareness (cGMP).

Responsibilities

• Work with automation resources, vendors and partners to deliver automation projects on time and within budget.
• Provide day-to-day support to operations including fault diagnosis and remediation.
• Support department activities such as user management, preventive maintenance and periodic reviews of PLC systems.
• Develop SDLC deliverables compliant with company standards (Requirements Specifications, TRM, Functional/Design specs, Code reviews, test scripts).
• Collaborate with QA and CSV functions to ensure compliance in deliverables.
• Ensure automation complies with global policies and cGMP requirements.

Skills

Automation Engineering

PLC/SCADA

DCS

Data Historian

Validation

Project Execution

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Automation/CS/Software Eng

Tools

Siemens PLC

Rockwell PLC

Building Management Systems

SCADA Systems

Job description

Job Description

An amazing opportunity has arisen for an Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation reporting to the Digital Manufacturing Operations lead, specifically responsible for Automation Systems delivery. The site has experienced significant growth and expansion in recent years and with exciting new initiatives also in the pipeline, the DMO team are seeking an automation engineer to help position the team to support the future needs of the site. This candidate will be required to work closely with the Automation and IT teams responsible for the delivery of Automation projects and with vendors / partners in support of these project activities.

The candidate will provide day to day support functions to operations and will also support critical capital projects.

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

• As the Automation Engineer where support is provided to projects you will work with other Automation resources, Automation vendors and partners to deliver automation systems on time and within budget.


• Provide support functions to Operations including fault diagnosis and remediation activities.


• Provide support of Department activities such as user additions / removals; Preventative Maintenance and Periodic Reviews of PLC systems.


• Develop SDLC deliverables, compliant with company standards, including but not limited to:
  
  
  
  • Requirements Specifications
  
  
  • Requirements Traceability Matrix
  
  
  • Functional Specification
  
  
  • Design Specification
  
  
  • Code Review
  
  
  • Test specification/test script
  
  
  
  


• Work closely with vendors of Automation equipment to ensure project deliverables meet requirements.


• Work closely with the Quality Assurance and Computer System Validation functions and ensure their requirements are met in all deliverables.


• Ensure Automation compliance with Global Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, regulatory requirements and execute current Good manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in the performance of day to day activities and all applicable job functions.


• Implement, manage, update and support various PLC technology and infrastructure across the site (Siemens & Rockwell PLC’s, Building Management Systems, Utilities Management Systems)

What skills you will need:

In order to excel in this role, you will more than likely have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Automation Process Control, Computer Science or Software Engineering


• Technical and operational expertise in the following disciplines:


• DCS, PLC, BMS and SCADA systems


• Data historian and reporting systems


• Computer System Validation


• Control System/Shop floor Integration


• Experience in the implementation and on-going support of Automation solutions


• Project execution skills


• Experience in reviewing and approving technical and compliance documentation


• Excellent problem-solving skills


• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills


• Demonstrable logical and systematic problem-solving skills

The following experience is an advantage:

• Business knowledge of Pharmaceutical Drug Substance and Drug Product production


• Experience working in a GMP environment and with regulatory inspections


• Contractor and vendor management skills

First established in 1976, our Ballydine facility develops and supplies the active ingredients and final formulated product for a range of innovative medicines at its manufacturing and R&D facilities. Ballydine was our Company’s first site in Ireland, the Ballydine site is our Company’s primary small molecule pipeline commercialisation facility globally, operating as a European hub for quality, manufacturing, and engineering. Its highly skilled teams lead the way in the development of new medicines, including innovative treatments for Hepatitis C, HIV and immuno-oncology, the site exports to over 25 countries around the world.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Advanced Process Control, Automation Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Communication, Computer Applications, Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Control System (Inactive), Industrial Engineering, Innovation, IT Automation, Machinery Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Mentorship, Metal Manufacturing, Microsoft Office, Organizational Behavior, Prioritization, Process Engineering, Product Engineering, Product Manufacturing, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Robotic Process Automation {+ 4 more}

Employee Status:

Regular

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Job Posting End Date:

11/5/2026

Requisition ID:

R423280