Automation Engineer – Sterile Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 87,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ, is seeking a Specialist, Automation Engineering to support the FLEx Center's sterile clinical manufacturing operations. The role focuses on maintaining automated systems, executing change controls, and driving continuous improvement across OT/IT platforms.

You will lead cross‑functional projects, work second shift/on weekends as needed, and collaborate with IT, QA, and manufacturing teams to ensure data integrity, cybersecurity, and GMP compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, IT or related field.
• Minimum 2 years in process automation or equivalent.
• Strong performance record and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain validated automation systems in a cGMP, compliant state.
• Provide end-to-end support for sterile clinical manufacturing processes.
• Lead automation changes, investigations, and CAPAs; support audits.
• Develop and execute automation change controls, risk assessments, and validations.
• Collaborate with IT, QA, and operations to ensure data integrity and security.
• Coordinate installation, FAT/SAT, commissioning of new equipment.

Skills

Automation engineering

cGMP

PLC/SCADA

Change control

Data integrity

Root cause analysis

Cross‑functional teamwork

Cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Science/IT

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

SCADA: iFix/WinCC OA/Ignition

OPC

HMI/SCADA infrastructure

Kneat/eVal

Job description

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ, is seeking a Specialist, Automation Engineering to support the FLEx Center's sterile clinical manufacturing operations. The role focuses on maintaining automated systems, executing change controls, and driving continuous improvement across OT/IT platforms.

You will lead cross‑functional projects, work second shift/on weekends as needed, and collaborate with IT, QA, and manufacturing teams to ensure data integrity, cybersecurity, and GMP compliance.