Senior Scientist, Engineering

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid holidays

Vacation & sick days

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ, seeks a Senior Engineer to advance pharmaceutical process development for small-molecule solid dosage drugs from pilot to commercial scale. You will partner with R&D, analytical, regulatory, quality, and operations across internal sites and contract manufacturers worldwide.

The role focuses on scale-up, tech transfer and DOE-driven process development, with hands-on lab and manufacturing responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years related experience, or Master’s with 4+ years, or PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team and execute against commitments.
• Experience with process scale-up and/or technology transfer, moving between laboratory, pilot, and commercial scale.
• Hands-on experience in a laboratory, pilot plant, or manufacturing facility.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and interpret pharmaceutical process development studies, such as scale up, technology transfer, design space development, clinical and stability batch manufacture, and process validation.
• Participate in or lead drug product working groups and technology development teams and represent the department in cross-functional interactions.
• Apply problem-solving skills and aspects of Quality by Design, including risk-based approaches to development, design of experiments, and process modeling.
• Author technical documents, such as experimental protocols, reports, and regulatory filings.
• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills and effective collaboration and leadership within teams, including commercial sites and/or third-party vendors.
• Evaluate new and innovative technologies and equipment, perform physical testing and data analysis, and comply with applicable safety and current good manufacturing practices.
• Contribute to publications and presentations within the scientific community as appropriate.
• Advance innovation and digital and data analytics capabilities.

Skills

cGMP Regulations

Chemical Engineering

Chemistry

Design of Experiments (DOE)

GMP

Process Development

Process Scale Up

Process Transfers

Technology Transfer

Chromatographic Techniques

Scientific Writing

Scientific Presentations

Small Molecule Synthesis

Strategic Planning

Technical Evaluation

Technical Reviews

Writing Technical Documents

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline

Job description

Job Description

The Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology (PCT) department is seeking a Senior Engineer based in Rahway, NJ. The group sits within the Manufacturing Division and is responsible for pharmaceutical process and technology development for small molecule solid dosage drug products, bringing new and novel medicines to patients worldwide. PCT leads process development as products enter Phase IIb through regulatory filings, process validation, and for several years beyond commercial launch. Products are commercialized at a network of internal manufacturing sites, located in Ireland and Singapore, as well as contract manufacturing organizations around the world. Coupled with development centers in Rahway, NJ and West Point, PA, these sites are the foundation of our extensive small molecule solid dosage development and commercialization capabilities.

Success in this role requires strong communication and collaboration within teams, a growth mindset and eagerness for continuous learning, a passion for science and solving technical problems, and hands-on development and manufacturing from pilot to commercial scale. Partners include research and development, analytical, regulatory, quality, packaging, and operations at our commercialization and commercial supply sites. We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and interpret pharmaceutical process development studies, such as scale up, technology transfer, design space development, clinical and stability batch manufacture, and process validation.

• Participate in or lead drug product working groups and technology development teams and represent the department in cross-functional interactions.

• Apply problem-solving skills and aspects of Quality by Design, including risk-based approaches to development, design of experiments, and process modeling.

• Author technical documents, such as experimental protocols, reports, and regulatory filings.

• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills and effective collaboration and leadership within teams, including commercial sites and/or third-party vendors.

• Evaluate new and innovative technologies and equipment, perform physical testing and data analysis, and comply with applicable safety and current good manufacturing practices.

• Contribute to publications and presentations within the scientific community as appropriate.

• Advance innovation and digital and data analytics capabilities.

Education Minimum Requirement

Bachelor’s degree and 6 years related experience, master’s degree and 4 years related experience, or PhD (no additional experience required) in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline.

Required Experience and Skills

• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team and execute against commitments.

• Demonstrated capability to design and execute an experimental program with mechanistic understanding, process robustness, productivity, and cost in mind, and integrate efforts with specialists from other technical disciplines.

• Experience with process scale-up and/or technology transfer, moving between laboratory, pilot, and commercial scale.

• Hands-on experience in a laboratory, pilot plant, or manufacturing facility.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Familiarity with concepts and application of cGMP during pharmaceutical development and production.

• Experience authoring the Chemistry and Manufacturing Controls (CMC) sections of New Drug Applications/Worldwide Marketing Applications (NDAs/WMAs).

• Experience with one or more of the following:(1) Analytical tools for analyzing big data and process performance, (2) Development, application, or validation of process models, (3) Development or application of statistical process control techniques, and/or (4) Knowledge and use of statistical techniques as applied to product sampling and release.

• Experience in supporting partners in supply, including either support of process validation preparation and execution or products post-validation.

• Experience interacting with commercial sites and/or third-party vendors during development and/or clinical or supply manufacturing.

• Experience in pharmaceutical drug substance or drug product development or similar.

Required Skills

cGMP Regulations, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Chromatographic Techniques, Clinical Judgment, Commercialization, Design of Experiments (DOE), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmaceutical Research, Process Development (PD), Process Optimization, Process Scale Up, Process Transfers, Scientific Presentations, Scientific Writing, Small Molecule Synthesis, Strategic Planning, Technical Evaluation, Technical Reviews, Technology Transfer, Writing Technical Documents

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

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/1/2026

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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. 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.

Salary Information

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

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.

Benefits

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.