Ignition & Lab Automation Strategy Lead

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Director to lead laboratory operations technology and orchestration platforms within Development Sciences and Clinical Supply.

You will shape the long‑term architecture, standards, and adoption strategy for SCADA and orchestration across the organization, while delivering hands‑on Ignition, automation, and integration solutions. You will collaborate with IT, automation, engineering, and scientific teams to build scalable platforms, mentor teams, and drive

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering (i.e. Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical), Robotics, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 6 years of relevant experience
• A M.S. in Engineering (i.e. Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical), Robotics, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 8 years of relevant experience
• A B.S. in Engineering (i.e. Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical), Robotics, Mechatronics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 10 years of relevant experience

Responsibilities

• Lead Ignition and laboratory orchestration strategy: Shape the vision, roadmap, architecture, standards, and investment priorities for scalable SCADA and orchestration capabilities across Development Sciences and Clinical Supply, partnering with scientific, automation, digital, IT, and engineering leaders.
• Deliver high-impact solutions: Remain hands‑on by designing, developing, and deploying complex Ignition, automation, and integration solutions while providing technical leadership across critical programs and unique business challenges.
• Build sustainable platform ecosystems: Establish reusable architectures, development patterns, governance, validation approaches, and implementation practices that connect instrumentation, robotics, process equipment, data platforms, and enterprise systems.
• Advance innovation and future capabilities: Evaluate emerging technologies and translate opportunities in AI, advanced analytics, digital twins, and autonomous laboratories into practical platform capabilities that address current and future scientific needs.
• Grow organizational technical depth: Coach, mentor, and educate laboratory automation, software, and digital engineering colleagues through direct project engagement, formal mentorship and training, technical forums, and communities of practice.
• Influence decisions and adoption: Communicate complex technical ideas, build alignment across teams and sites, and guide technology selection, resource prioritization, and adoption of common platform approaches.

Skills

Industrial automation

Ignition expertise

Technical leadership

Software architecture

CI/CD

Communication

Mentoring

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Engineering or related

M.S. in Engineering or related

B.S. in Engineering or related

Tools

Ignition

DeltaV

WinCC OA

Job description

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Director to lead laboratory operations technology and orchestration platforms within Development Sciences and Clinical Supply.

You will shape the long‑term architecture, standards, and adoption strategy for SCADA and orchestration across the organization, while delivering hands‑on Ignition, automation, and integration solutions. You will collaborate with IT, automation, engineering, and scientific teams to build scalable platforms, mentor teams, and drive