Senior Automation Lead - Packaging & Vision Systems

MSD Malaysia; Wilson (NC); On-site; USD 111,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, is seeking a Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation to lead site automation for packaging, vision inspection, serialization, MES, and IT/OT systems.

You will guide PLC/HMI, machine vision, and lifecycle improvements to ensure reliable, compliant manufacturing operations. The role emphasizes GMP compliance, data integrity, cybersecurity, and continuous improvement across manufacturing automation platforms, with on‑site responsibilities and collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Science, Engineering or related technical field.
• 8+ years of automation, controls engineering, manufacturing systems, or related experience.
• Strong working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, and industrial control systems.
• Experience supporting automation systems in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated project leadership, problem‑solving, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and shop floor support for PLC, HMI, Vision Systems, Serialization, MES, IT, Inspection, and OEM equipment.
• Serve as the site SME for machine vision and serialization technologies, with strong preference for Systech experience and knowledge of Cognex and Optel platforms.
• Act as the primary interface between Operations and digital support organizations to resolve issues impacting production performance and equipment reliability.
• Lead troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions for complex automation-related issues.
• Support packaging and inspection systems including barcode verification, reject verification processes, track-and-trace, and serialization solutions.
• Develop and execute strategies to optimize automation system performance, reliability, scalability, and lifecycle management.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that improve throughput, reduce downtime, and enhance product quality.
• Lead or support automation modernization projects, equipment upgrades, startup activities, and new technology deployments.
• Ensure systems remain compliant with GMP, validation, data integrity, cybersecurity, and change management requirements.
• Maintain automation documentation, backups, inventories, SOPs, and system lifecycle records.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and technical knowledge sharing across engineering, maintenance, and operations teams.
• Participate in on‑call and limited off‑shift support as required to maintain manufacturing operations.

Skills

Automation Engineering

Cross-functional Collaboration

Problem-Solving

Project Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Data Management

Security Compliance

Real-Time Programming

Quality Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Science, Engineering or related technical field

Tools

PLC Systems

HMI

Vision Systems

Serialization

MES

IT/OT integration

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, is seeking a Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation to lead site automation for packaging, vision inspection, serialization, MES, and IT/OT systems.

You will guide PLC/HMI, machine vision, and lifecycle improvements to ensure reliable, compliant manufacturing operations. The role emphasizes GMP compliance, data integrity, cybersecurity, and continuous improvement across manufacturing automation platforms, with on‑site responsibilities and collaboration