Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

Merck & Co.; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. is seeking a Process Automation Engineer Associate for the West Point, PA site. The role provides automation system support to enable reliable, compliant vaccine manufacturing and requires collaboration with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams.

Responsibilities include supporting automation systems, implementing changes, and investigating automation incidents to prevent recurrence. Preference for candidates with pharma/biotech experience and process control knowledge.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Preferred: experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Preferred: knowledge of process control systems.
• Preferred: experience supporting aseptic processing and/or sterile manufacturing operations.
• Technical and operational experience with computer systems, automation technologies, and programming.

Responsibilities

• Work independently and as a team member while demonstrating integrity and respect.
• Comply with GMP and cGMP regulations in day-to-day activities.
• Provide automation system support for manufacture of vaccine products.
• Support automation components associated with manufacturing processes.
• Design, test, and close change controls for automation actions and improvements.
• Lead or participate in investigations of automation incidents to prevent recurrence.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

GMP knowledge

Education

BS in Engineering/CS or related field

Job description

Job Description

Our Digital Manufacturing Operations Team supporting our vibrant West Point site is seeking a Process Automation Engineer Associate to join our team. This role will provide automation system support and expertise to enable our Manufacturing Division in the reliable and compliant supply of quality vaccine products to customers and patients across the globe.

Responsible for problem resolution, implementation of process control, data collection techniques, and troubleshooting in compliance with SDLC, GMP, safety, and environmental regulations. Actively support and participate in a collaborative and respectful work environment, including significant interaction with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering groups. Supports a broad spectrum of automated systems within GMP Manufacturing Operations.

Key Functions

• Work independently and as a team member while demonstrating Integrity, Precision, Accomplishment, Motivational Ambition, and Respect.
• Comply with Global Policies, Procedures, Guidelines, regulatory requirements, and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in the performance of day-to-day activities and all applicable job functions.
• Provide automation system support and expertise to assist in the manufacture of quality vaccine products and support site priorities.
• Support all automation system components associated with manufacturing processes, including shop floor support of manufacturing activities.
• Design, implement, test, and close change controls related to automation corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build relationships with functional counterparts and business stakeholders to proactively identify and resolve technical issues.
• Lead or participate in investigations of automation incidents and issues to prevent recurrence, including development and implementation of corrective actions.
• Maintain awareness of emerging automation technologies and industry trends and provide recommendations for adoption where appropriate.
• Provide off-shift, weekend, evening, remote, or on-site automation support for 24/7 manufacturing operations as required.

Education

• BS in Engineering, Computer Science or related field or High School Diploma and with 2 years of experience (GMP Manufacturing and/or Manufacturing Automation)

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

Required

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal abilities, with the capability to effectively interact with colleagues at all organizational levels and external partners.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment while managing individual responsibilities.

Preferred

• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with process control systems.
• Experience supporting aseptic processing and/or sterile manufacturing operations.
• Technical and operational experience with computer systems, automation technologies, and programming.

Required Skills

• Aseptic Processing, Aseptic Processing, Audit Management, Automation, Biotechnology, Biotechnology Industry, Business Process Improvements, Change Control Processes, Change Controls, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Corrective Action Management, Data Management, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Interpersonal Communication, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutics, Problem Management, Process Control, Quality Management, Real-Time Programming, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Systems Programming, Vaccine Administration, Vaccine Development {+ 1 more}

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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

Location

The primary location for this posting is:
USA - Pennsylvania - West Point

Compensation

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:
$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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 .

Additional locations

Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

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)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

11/17/2026

Posting Effective Statement

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

R425005