Filling Set-up Sr. Technician, Operations - Onsite

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 68,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Senior Technician, Operations to support the FLEx-Sterile team with hands-on filling, lyophilization, and capping for GMP clinical supply of sterile dosage forms. You will collaborate with formulators, engineers, QA, and Facilities to ensure compliant manufacturing, maintain GMP documentation, and participate in continuous improvement across sterile filling operations.

Overtime is expected; candidates must meet education requirements and be able to lift 50 lbs

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of technician experience in manufacturing or similar setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, SAP, and equipment HMIs.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and adjustment for process equipment to ensure compliant manufacturing operations.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, EHS and Engineering to improve reliability of operations.
• Operate aseptic processing including sterile filling and isolator operations.
• Set up, changes over, and test runs for various container sizes and perform equipment adjustments.
• Maintain GMP documentation in electronic systems and support training/compliance initiatives.
• Support investigations and corrective/preventive actions as needed.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Communication

Teamwork

Computer skills

Education

High School Diploma/GED

A.A.S. or equivalent

Mech/Electrical/Mechatronics cert

Tools

Microsoft Office

Equipment HMI

SAP

Calibration/Maintenance DB

Job description

Senior Technician, Operations

Pharmaceutical Operations and Clinical Supply is seeking highly motivated individuals for R&D Operations roles in our Rahway, NJ, Formulation, Laboratory, and Experimentation (FLEx) Center to support drug product development and GMP clinical supply of sterile dosage forms. Positions will support development and clinical manufacturing and supply as part of the FLEx-Sterile team, specifically in Filling.

This position will be responsible for hands‑on processing activities that include sterile filling, lyophilization, and capping. Specific tasks include but are not limited to filling line set‑up, executing machinability runs and performing simple adjustments to ensure that the GMP processing runs smoothly. These individuals are expected to partner with and support formulation development colleagues in further understanding and knowledge capture of processes, which could include providing feedback on product and process development.

These roles require adherence to GMP procedures, strong attention to detail in completing GMP documentation, proficiency in electronic systems, and participation in continuous improvement projects. Positions may also support commissioning, qualification, and demonstration of new equipment and technologies. Successful candidates will collaborate closely with team members and partner groups including formulators, engineers, Quality, Safety, and Facilities management to drive overall success and performance of the area and clinical pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Ability to provide hands‑on troubleshooting and adjustment for process and production equipment to ensure safe, compliant and reliable manufacturing operations in a cGMP-regulated environment.


• Work closely with Production, Quality, EHS and Engineering to drive continuous improvement to maximize reliability of manufacturing operations.


• Comfortable with complex, high speed automated systems with mechanical and digital interfaces


• Familiar with robotic positioning, understanding manual placement utilizing remote pendant to position axis


• Has experience with vision systems


• Experience with PLC interfaces and multi-screen HMIs; experience with automation heavy environments


• Aseptic Processing
  
  
  
  • Aseptic Processing: Perform sterile filling operations in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Able to perform aseptic interventions within a Grade A Isolator.
  
  
  • Isolator and Filler Operation: Operate and maintain large complex isolators, ensuring optimal performance and adherence to safety protocols.
  
  
  
  


• Sets up, changes over, and test runs equipment for various size containers, stopper, and caps as required. Makes mechanical and electrical adjustments necessary for the correct operation of the equipment.


• Conducts routine microbial and particulate sampling for environmental monitoring


• Documentation: Maintain accurate records of inspection results and maintain accurate records of findings in an electronic system. Knowledge of PAS‑X is preferable.


• GMP: Follow established inspection batch records, protocols and quality standards to ensure compliance with industry regulations. Able to report any recurring issues or trends to management for further investigation.


• Cleanroom Environment: Able to gown and work in Grade C conditions, maintaining good aseptic cleanroom behaviors


• Collaboration: Able to communicate clearly with team and work closely with other teams to ensure on time delivery.


• Training and Compliance: Assist in training new staff on sterile supply procedures and protocols, ensuring adherence to GMP standards.


• Leadership: Able to identify and elevate issues, perform basic troubleshooting, and capturing learnings to improve systems and processes. Also attends and actively participates in safety, quality, and process improvement initiatives to enhance flexibility, efficiency, and compliance.


• Supports investigations and implementation of corrective/preventative actions.


• Overtime is expected for manufacturing support processes.

Education Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED or higher or


• Successful completion of an associates degree in Applied Science (A.A.S) or an equivalent associate degree program or vocational certificate in lieu of the degree program or equivalent military course work


• Preferred: Trade certificate, technical diploma, or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, Instrumentation, or a related field.

Required Experience And Skills

• Minimum of 2 year experience as a technician in a manufacturing, military, automotive, aviation or industrial facility is required. The experience will include the set‑up changeover, assembly, disassembly, operation and modifications of complex, high speed, equipment


• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.


• Proficiency in computer systems and applications including but not limited to: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook), Equipment HMI use, SAP, Calibration/Maintenance Database Systems.


• Must be willing and able to lift 50 lbs, bend, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb ladders, and don & wear cleanroom protective gowning including respirators.


• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate both independently and as a part of a team.


• Flexibility working overtime is a requirement in manufacturing, especially during shutdowns or emergency repairs.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Experience in regulated manufacturing (pharmaceutical/biotech) under cGMP is strongly preferred.


• Experience in automative or aerospace is desired.


• Experience with some of the following: highly complex and state of the art equipment, isolators, containment technology, aseptic filling using automated machinery, sterile manufacturing, visual inspection of product in glass vials, SAP or other ERP systems.


• Associates Degree in science or related field.


• BioWork Certificate (working in an FDA or similar regulated industry)
  
  
  
  • Experience with automated systems (MES, SAP, or similar).
  
  
  • Demonstrated troubleshooting / problem‑solving skills.
  
  
  
  

Relevant Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is: $68,000 - $107,000

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.

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

Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing, Clinical Trials Operations, FDA Regulations, GMP Compliance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Laboratory Techniques, Manufacturing Quality Control, Manufacturing Support, Master Batch Records, Material Selection, Production Planning, Safety Protocols, SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SAP Systems, Shift Work, Visual Inspections

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.

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

Domestic

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

• 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

R404920