Manufacturing Automation Specialist

Merck; Wilson (NC); On-site; USD 87,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Merck is seeking a technical expert in automation to support manufacturing and packaging operations. You will troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and machine vision, lead root cause analyses and implement corrective actions, while enabling new equipment integrations and digital manufacturing initiatives.

The role emphasizes SDLC, validation activities, and continuous improvement within a regulated environment, with an on-call schedule including nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Highschool diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 3 years supporting industrial automation in manufacturing.
• Hands-on troubleshooting with PLCs and HMI systems.
• Experience with SDLC documentation, change controls and validation activities.
• Strong analytical, communication and project management skills.
• On-call availability nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for industrial automation systems in manufacturing and packaging.
• Troubleshoot and optimize PLCs, HMIs, robotics, machine vision, motion control and servo-driven equipment.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Support integration of new equipment and emerging automation technologies.

Skills

PLC Programming

Troubleshooting

HMI Development

Robotics

Machine Vision

Industrial Networks

SDLC/CSV

Change Control

GMP Documentation

Root Cause Analysis

Continuous Improvement

Data Integrity

Cybersecurity

Project Leadership

Education

Highschool Graduate or Equivalent

Tools

Siemens PLC

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Schneider PLC

Job description

Job Description Technical expert with demonstrated expertise in PLC Programming & Troubleshooting, HMI Development & Support, Robotics, Machine Vision, Industrial Networks, SDLC/CSV, Change Control, GMP Documentation, Root Cause Analysis and Continuous Improvement.

• Provide technical support for industrial automation systems supporting manufacturing and packaging operations.
• Troubleshoot and optimize PLCs, HMIs, robotics, machine vision systems, motion control and servo-driven equipment.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Support integration of new equipment and emerging automation technologies.

Automation & Controls Engineering

• Provide technical support for industrial automation systems supporting manufacturing and packaging operations.
• Troubleshoot and optimize PLCs, HMIs, robotics, machine vision systems, motion control and servo-driven equipment.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Support integration of new equipment and emerging automation technologies.

Digital Manufacturing

• Support serialization, aggregation, SAP ATTP and track-and-trace solutions.
• Drive data integrity, cybersecurity and digital manufacturing initiatives.

Project Leadership

• Lead automation projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop requirements, functional specifications, testing strategies and deployment plans.

Validation, Documentation & Compliance

• Author functional specifications, design documents, IQ/OQ protocols, SOPs, risk assessments and change controls.
• Support SDLC and Computer System Validation activities.
• Lead automation-related deviations, investigations and CAPAs.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive reliability, efficiency and modernization initiatives using Lean and structured problem solving.

Required Qualifications

• Highschool Graduate or Equivalent
• Minimum 3 years of experience supporting industrial automation systems in manufacturing.
• Hands‑on troubleshooting experience with PLCs and HMI systems.
• Experience with SDLC documentation, change controls and validation activities.
• Strong analytical, communication and project management skills.
• On call availability nights and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• B&R, Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens or Schneider PLC experience.
• Experience with Robotics, Vision Systems, Motion Control and Packaging Automation.
• Serialization and Aggregation experience (SAP ATTP, Systech Guardian preferred).
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Data Integrity, Cybersecurity, Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement expertise.

Required Skills

Audit Management, Automation Engineering, Business Process Improvements, Cybersecurity, Data Integrity, Data Management, GMP Compliance, Industrial Automation, Industrial Networks, Lean Manufacturing, Machine Vision (MV), Manufacturing Environments, PLC Programming, PLC Troubleshooting, Problem Management, Project Leadership, Quality Management, Real‑Time Programming, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Preferred Skills

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. This includes accommodations during the application or hiring process.

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

The salary range for this role is

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

No relocation

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

R411624