Manager, R&D Product Engineering

Merck & Co.; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health/dental/vision coverage

Retirement benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Merck & Co. is seeking an experienced R&D Manager to lead development activities for bioprocessing solutions. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background, people leadership skills, and a focus on executing projects in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include guiding a team of engineers, delivering product development programs, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Salary range for this role is $130,000–$165,000 based on qualifications, with additional benefits including paid time off and health coverage.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in product development or engineering.
• 3-5+ years of direct report management experience.
• Experience working within structured product development processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of engineers.
• Own delivery of multiple product development programs.
• Drive planning and resource allocation.
• Lead product development efforts from concept to launch.
• Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Product Management.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Problem-Solving

Communication

Technical Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking an experienced R&D Manager to lead development activities for a portfolio of products within our bioprocessing solutions business. This role is responsible for executing product development and improvement projects, supporting scale-up and commercialization, and leading a team of engineers to deliver high-quality, manufacturable products.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical depth with proven people leadership and the ability to drive execution in a fast-paced, cross‑functional environment. This role will contribute to longer-term product planning over time, with an initial focus on team leadership and project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of engineers, including setting goals, providing coaching, and managing performance
• Own delivery of multiple product development programs, ensuring projects meet timeline, quality, and business objectives
• Drive planning, prioritization, and resource allocation across projects within the team
• Lead product development efforts from concept through qualification and launch
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Product Management
• Support scale‑up, technology transfer, and manufacturing readiness, including resolving technical issues
• Ensure development activities comply with design control, validation, and documentation requirements
• Lead technical reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement efforts

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• 8+ years of experience in product development or engineering
• 3-5+ years of direct report management experience
• Prior experience leading projects, programs, or technical teams
• Demonstrated experience managing or mentoring engineers
• Experience working within structured product development processes (e.g., stage‑gate, design controls)
• Experience supporting product commercialization and/or transfer to manufacturing
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills

Preferred

• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects or programs
• Experience within the life sciences industry
• Experience in a regulated or quality‑driven environment
• Experience working across global or cross‑site teams

Core Competencies

• People leadership and team development
• Accountability for execution and delivery
• Cross‑functional collaboration and influence
• Structured problem‑solving and decision‑making
• Ability to balance technical detail with program‑level priorities

Our company offers a salary range of $130,000–$165,000 for this role, based in the United States. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including individual qualifications, location, internal equity, and market data. Employees are eligible to participate in variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and may receive equity as part of the compensation package. Benefits include paid time off, health/dental/vision coverage, retirement benefits, flexible spending accounts, and additional benefits confirmed in writing at the time of offer.