Principal Scientist, Process Development & Commercialization

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Benefits package

Job summary

Merck & Co., Rahway, NJ, seeks a Principal Scientist, Engineering to lead late-stage small molecule programs from development to commercialization. You will drive process characterization, technology transfer to commercial sites, and regulatory filing support while mentoring staff.

This role emphasizes cGMP compliance, GDP, and QbD application, with broad cross-functional collaboration across our global network and strategic decision-making capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's in chemical engineering or related field with 11 years of relevant experience in process development; or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with 7 years post-doctorate.
• Experience in chemical process development including designing experiments for robustness and scalability.
• Ability to lead technical teams and influence stakeholders across multiple functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead process characterization studies to develop robust manufacturing processes.
• Coordinate technology transfers to commercial manufacturing sites.
• Provide regulatory filing support and develop control strategies with process validation planning.
• Mentor technical staff and drive cross-functional development programs.
• Apply QbD, DOE, and risk management in development and optimization.
• Ensure cGMP and GDP compliance across development and manufacturing.

Skills

Process development

Process characterization

DOE

Regulatory filing

Mentorship

Cross-functional

Quality by Design

Statistical data analysis

Technology transfer

cGMP

Education

Bachelor's or master's in chemical engineering or related field with 11+ years experience or PhD with 7+ years

Job description

Job Description

Our Company is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative scientist/engineer to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in advancing late-stage small molecule programs from development to commercialization while leading highly visible technical initiatives across our global network. The Principal Scientist, Engineering position leverages scientific and engineering expertise to develop safe, robust, and scalable manufacturing processes through process characterization, technology transfer, process validation, regulatory filing support, and commercial supply activities. -This role offers significant technical leadership, exposure to cross-functional decision-making, and opportunities to influence both internal and external development and manufacturing strategies. The successful candidate will lead and mentor technical staff responsible for planning and executing process characterization studies, developing regulatory filing strategies, and implementing technology transfers to commercial manufacturing sites. In addition, you will apply Quality Risk Management principles, statistical design of experiments (DOE), and data-driven decision making to ensure successful process development and commercialization. A strong commitment to safety, quality, and compliance is essential. The successful candidate will operate in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), participate in risk assessments and deviation investigations, and champion Good Documentation Practices (GDPs) throughout development and manufacturing activities.

Position Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's or master's degree in chemical engineering or a related scientific discipline from an accredited institution, with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience in process development; or
• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related scientific discipline, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience following completion of the doctorate.

Required Experience and Skills

Demonstrated experience in chemical process development, including:

• Developing and executing experimental programs to address process design, robustness, scalability, productivity, and process understanding
• Leading process characterization activities and applying scientific principles to establish robust manufacturing processes
• Leading regulatory filing support activities, including process characterization, control strategy development, and process validation planning and execution
• Mentoring and developing technical staff through laboratory execution, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving
• Working effectively within cross-functional teams to drive complex development programs
• Strong communication, organizational, technical writing, interpersonal, and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence decision-making across multiple stakeholders

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Hands‑on experience in laboratory‑based process development, including unit operations commonly used in small molecule drug substance development such as chemical reactions, work‑up operations, isolation, and crystallization
• Experience leading technical interactions with external partners, suppliers, and contract manufacturing organizations
• Expertise in statistical experimental design and data analysis
• Familiarity with the application of cGMP principles in pharmaceutical drug substance and/or drug product development and manufacturing
• Experience applying Quality by Design (QbD) principles, mathematical modeling, and engineering scale‑up methodologies
• Experience supporting commercial product launches and post‑approval process improvements

Required Skills

API Manufacturing, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Industry, Chemical Manufacturing, Chemical Processes, Commercialization, Downstream Processing, Driving Continuous Improvement, External Manufacturing, Manufacturing Processes, Manufacturing Scale‑Up, Mentorship, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Process Characterization, Small Molecules, Statistical Data Analysis, Technology Transfer

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.

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.

The salary range for this role is
$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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

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

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/22/2026

*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.