Associate Technician Operations

Merck & Co.; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical benefits

Job summary

Merck & Co. in the United States is seeking an Associate Technician to support Drug Substance operations across biotech culture growth, harvest, lyophilization, and product inspection.

The role emphasizes adherence to cGMP, safety, and quality while collaborating with a global team. You will work on the floor performing cleaning, setup, operation, and maintenance of equipment, participate in Kaizen events, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills.
• Must pass aseptic gowning qualifications with required PPE.
• Computer literacy (email, browsers, spreadsheets, word processing).
• Must lift 50 lbs and wear a respirator.
• Mon-Fri day shift 06:00–14:30; some overtime may be required.
• TB titer and Chest X-ray completion required.
• Occasional use of respirator/Powered Air Purifying Respirator for specific tasks.

Responsibilities

• Supports team as operations expert through PPQ, licensure and ramp up of facility.
• Identifies and addresses compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations; coordinates with relevant personnel.
• Participates in HAZOPS, waste walkthroughs, 5S, kaizen events, and other operations/quality training.
• Executes and owns tasks to meet production targets within area; maintains equipment, setup, cleaning, and inventory.
• Drives continuous improvement and participates in Kaizen events, ad-hoc sampling, or protocol execution.
• Maintains detailed knowledge of equipment and processes; notifies personnel for deviations.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Aseptic gowning qualifications

Computer literacy

Physical ability to lift 50 lbs

Willingness to work overtime

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

MES

SAP

DeltaV

GDP knowledge

Job description

Job Description

This role is within a end-to-end facility which includes the processing of drug substance, drug product, including biotech culture growth, harvest, lyophilization, product inspection, utilities, and warehouse.

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, and teamwork of people like you.

To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork.

As part of our global team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to;

Project Support

• Supports team as operations expert through PPQ, licensure and ramp up of facility.
• Identifies and addresses compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations as appropriate while coordinating with appropriate personnel.
• Actively participate in team meetings HAZOPS, waste walkthroughs, 5S, kaizen events, or any other operations, lean six-sigma, quality, safety or environmental training/initiatives as required.

Operational Expertise

• Competent execution and ownership to meet production targets for area within responsibility including: Attending and escalation of concerns or needs at daily huddles and as needed Cleaning, setup, operation and troubleshooting of equipment and facilities Maintenance and transportation of consumable and material inventories Maintenance of excellent recordkeeping and housekeeping
• Drives culture of continuous improvement. Implements and raises ideas to increase success of group
• Participates on and/or performs activities to support technical and OPEX functions such as Kaizen events, ad-hoc sampling, or protocol execution.
• Maintains detailed knowledge of equipment and processes.
• Identifies and addresses compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations as appropriate while notifying appropriate personnel.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• High School Diploma/GED or higher

Required Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills
• Must be able to successfully pass and maintain aseptic gowning qualifications. Aseptic gowning requires that all skin and hair be covered through wearing the following: beard/mustache cover, hair net, hood and facemask, goggles, jumpsuit, gloves, and boots.
• Computer literacy (internet browsers, e-mail, spreadsheets, word processing)
• Must be willing and able to lift 50 lbs, bend, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb ladders, and wear a respirator
• This position will be Mon-Fri, day shift (06:00 - 14:30). Some overtime may be required as business needs dictate-
• Successful completion of TB titer and Chest X-ray are required.
• This position will require the occasional use of a respirator/Power Air Purifying Respirator to complete specific tasks.

Preferred Experience and Skills (General):

• Minimum associate's degree in science or related field
• BioWork Certificate (working in an FDA or similar regulated industry)
• Applicable mechanical and project management experience
• Experience with automated systems (MES, SAP, DeltaV, GLIMS, or similar)
• Experience with on-the-floor cGMP manufacturing and familiarity with regulatory requirements and Good Documentation Practices (GDP)
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a part of a team

Associate Technician supporting Drug Substance operations:

• Aseptic Behaviors
• Aseptic Techniques & Manipulations
• cRAB/Isolator Experience
• Environmental Monitoring
• Report review/approval and batch record review

The salary range for this role is:- $43,100 - $67,800

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.

Required Skills:

Ability to Coordinate, Ability to Coordinate, Accountability, Applied Research, Chemical Plant Operations, Cleanroom Gowning, Competency Management, Computer Literacy, Customer Communications, Equipment Maintenance, Equipment Set Up, Information Technology (IT), ITIL Framework, Material Selection, Numeracy, Process Improvements, Production Management, Production Scheduling, Protective Clothing, Quality Monitoring, Quality Reporting, Recordkeeping, Records Review, Safety Compliance, Safety Procedures {+ 5 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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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

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:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Cleaning Supplies, seed stock

Job Posting End Date:

10/26/2026

*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:

R422030