Senior Biologics Pilot Plant Automation Lead

Merck & Co.; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks a Senior Specialist, Pilot Plant Automation Engineer to lead automation activities supporting pilot-scale GMP manufacturing campaigns for biologics.

You will drive automation implementation, qualification, and continuous improvement, ensuring compliance and robust reliability in clinical development operations. You will provide technical leadership for automation systems, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and cross-train across technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years of automation engineering.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and ongoing support for facility automation systems.
• Serve as the automation subject matter expert for GMP clinical manufacturing campaigns.
• Lead and/or execute the integration, commissioning, qualification, and startup of new equipment and automation projects.
• Author, review, and approve GMP documentation, including: Change controls, Test protocols, SDLC documentation, SOPs, Safety assessments, Deviation investigations and corrective actions.
• Lead maintenance, lifecycle management, and upgrade initiatives for automation systems.
• Evaluate and implement new automation technologies to improve plant reliability, efficiency, and operational performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a multidisciplinary project environment.
• Cross-train across multiple technologies, systems, and manufacturing processes to expand technical expertise.

Skills

Automation engineering

GMP manufacturing

Cross-functional teamwork

Project leadership

Documentation (GMP)

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Ignition

DeltaV

MES

Windows administration

Cybersecurity

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks a Senior Specialist, Pilot Plant Automation Engineer to lead automation activities supporting pilot-scale GMP manufacturing campaigns for biologics.

You will drive automation implementation, qualification, and continuous improvement, ensuring compliance and robust reliability in clinical development operations. You will provide technical leadership for automation systems, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and cross-train across technologies.