Senior Drug Product Operations Engineer - Startup

Merck & Co.; Elkton (VA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays & vacation

Job summary

HireLifeScience seeks a Senior Operations Engineer - Drug Product to support commissioning, qualification and operations readiness at the Elkton, VA site. The role partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality and Technical Operations to ensure safe, compliant start-up and ongoing manufacturing excellence.

Responsibilities include coordinating IPT improvement efforts, enabling transfer of commercial processes to the new facility, and embedding best practices like Kaizen and Standard Work across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline is required.
• Minimum 5 years in Drug Product/SDI manufacturing with operations experience.
• Experience with GMP, quality and compliance expectations.
• Strong problem-solving, collaboration and organizational skills.
• Ability to work across Operations, Engineering, Quality and Technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Support commissioning, qualification, start-up and operational readiness for the new DP facility.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Technical Operations, Supply Chain and others to ensure safe, compliant start-up.
• Provide technical and operational support during equipment and process start-up and troubleshooting.
• Support technology transfer and implementation of commercial processes into the new facility.
• Define and improve operating practices, standard work and routines for reliable operations.
• Coordinate improvement activities within the IPT aligned to business objectives.
• Use MPS tools and lean principles (Kaizen, 5S, visual management, Standard Work) to identify opportunities.
• Embed best practices across shifts and workstreams to promote consistency and efficiency.
• Promote safety, quality, compliance, accountability and continuous improvement culture.
• Act as delegate for the Production Lead when needed to ensure continuity of leadership.
• Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative, performance-driven work environment.

Skills

Problem Solving

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Analytical Thinking

Leadership

Data Analysis

Process Improvement

Kaizen

5S

Lean Six Sigma

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

HireLifeScience seeks a Senior Operations Engineer - Drug Product to support commissioning, qualification and operations readiness at the Elkton, VA site. The role partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality and Technical Operations to ensure safe, compliant start-up and ongoing manufacturing excellence.

Responsibilities include coordinating IPT improvement efforts, enabling transfer of commercial processes to the new facility, and embedding best practices like Kaizen and Standard Work across