Senior Engineer, Facility & Utilities Operations (On-site)

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Sr. Engineer, Facility Operations to support the NGB facility buildout and 24/7 GMP operations.

You will collaborate with Facility & Utilities Engineering to ensure readiness, qualification and ongoing maintenance of critical process equipment and utilities. The role requires deep knowledge of cGMP, EHS, and calibration programs, with hands-on training for technicians and a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced biopharma

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant GMP-regulated clean utilities systems experience.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, cold rooms, and temperature control units.
• Experience with CMMS/CCMS and GMP manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of EHS requirements and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for operation of facility & utilities equipment; prepare/review user requirements.
• Support maintenance and calibration of process equipment and utilities.
• Ensure 24/7 building support for critical GMP operations.
• Assist start-up activities: equipment qualification, training curricula, staff training, CMMS implementation.
• Support readiness for launch of the new GMP facility.
• Oversee vendor/contractor activities during maintenance and calibration.
• Provide feedback and foster a culture of trust; coach junior team members.
• Train technicians on technical, compliance, safety, and environmental procedures; write SOPs.

Skills

Building Capability

Capital Project Management

Competency Management

Data Analysis

Deviation Management

Employee Training

Equipment Installations

Equipment Maintenance

Equipment Management

GMP

Microsoft Project

Operation Maintenance

Procedure Writing

Process Hazard Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

DeltaV

CMMS

CCMS

SAP

MES

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical/biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, or related discipline with minimum of 5 years relevant experience

Master’s degree with minimum 3 years relevant experience

Tools

DeltaV

CMMS

CCMS

SAP

MES

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Biologics Process Research & Development organization within our Company Research Labs is responsible for developing the drug substance manufacturing processes for our Company's biologics pipeline. We work closely with colleagues in Discovery, Pre-clinical, and Early Development to rapidly develop processes for different biotherapeutics and efficiently produce material to supply clinical trials. We are also responsible for commercial process development, and development and implementation of new technologies. We work with our partners in our Company Manufacturing Division to commercialize and launch new products.

This role will support the Next Generation Biologics (NGB) facility, which will be a premier, state-of-the-art facility, that is a key part of our Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) hub at our site headquarters in Rahway, NJ. This facility will be fully online in the next few years, both in terms of facility construction and organizational realization. The GMP facility is designed for multi-product operations with flexible operating suites, which can adjust as the clinical pipeline demands change. It can meet all historic, currently existing, and cutting-edge biologics program demands from supporting development to pilot scale, small and large scale potent material handling, and the ability to integrate new technologies and cell-line platforms.

The Sr. Engineer, Facility Operations, will support the NGB Operations Leadership team, reporting to the Associate Director of Facility & Utilities Engineering Lead.

Job Responsibilities

• Act as an SME for the operation of innovative facility & utilities equipment, preparing/reviewing user requirements.
• Support process & facilities equipment, and utilities (clean and grey) maintenance and calibration.
• Active member of Facility & Utilities Engineering team to ensure 24/7/ 365 building support for critical GMP operations.
• Support start-up activities including equipment qualification, training curricula, staff training, and CMMS implementation.
• Support operational readiness activities for launch of the new GMP facility.
• Manage vendor and contractors during maintenance and calibration of process equipment process.
• Provide timely performance feedback and foster culture of trust for open dialogue.
• Coach Junior team members in the development planning process for soft and technical skills.
• Training skills: Ability to train technicians in technical, compliance, safety, and environmental procedures; ability to write SOPs and technical documents and present to peers and senior management.
• Drive cGMP and EHS compliance and promote a strong safety culture.
• Maintain a strong floor presence during GMP operations and support critical tasks as needed.
• Troubleshoot technical and equipment issues and make timely operational decisions.
• Initiate deviations, perform initial impact assessments, and support investigations.
• Author, revise, and approve SOPs, work instructions, and memos.
• Provide off-hours, weekend, holiday, and on-call support as needed.
• Oversee Facility & Utilities planning and associated activities.
• Collaborate across the network to share best practices and promote operational consistency.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical/biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, or related discipline with minimum of 5 years relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with minimum 3 years of relevant experience.

Experience & Skills

• 3+ years of experience in a GMP-regulated clean utilities systems, biologics drug substance manufacturing equipment.
• Familiar with HVAC, cold rooms and temperature control units (TCU).
• Working knowledge of Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) & Computerized Calibration Management System (CCMS).
• Strong understanding of GMP manufacturing environments, including upstream and downstream processing equipment.
• Working knowledge of cGMP, Quality Systems, and EHS requirements.
• Ability to train employees in technical, compliance, safety, and environmental procedures.
• Experience writing SOPs and technical documents.
• Working knowledge of DeltaV.
• Strong troubleshooting, decision-making, and attention to detail skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to use tools such as Microsoft Office, and project management software.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs, if required.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with operationalization of GMP operations and/or large facility builds or renovations.
• Managing execution of capital projects.
• Experience with Veeva Quality Docs.
• Working knowledge of MES and SAP.
• Lean manufacturing and root cause analysis experience.
• Background in process engineering and providing support for a Biologics facility focused on upstream/downstream, or biologics/vaccine manufacturing operations
• Demonstrated ability to drive improvements and inspire others.
• Strong organizational, planning, communication, and presentation skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to challenge the status quo.

Required Skills

Building Capability, Capital Project Management, Competency Management, Data Analysis, Deviation Management, Employee Training, Equipment Installations, Equipment Maintenance, Equipment Management, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Microsoft Project, Operation Maintenance, Procedure Writing, Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Preferred Skills

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only.

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

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:

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The salary range for this role is $117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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.

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: No relocation
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: Not Indicated
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 10/8/2026*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.