Senior Specialist, Biotechnology Solutions (Tech Ops)

MSD Malaysia; Elkhorn Precinct (NE); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus and long-term incentive

Healthcare benefits including medical,

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, seeks a Sr. Specialist in Biosafety and Biotechnology Solutions to support Elkhorn Animal Health operations, vaccine bioprocessing, tech transfers and development initiatives.

The role emphasizes collaboration across Operations, Quality, Analytical Testing Development, Maintenance, Planning and R&D, with emphasis on biosafety, aseptic technique and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, engineering, chemistry or related field.
• Master’s degree or PhD in a related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience in vaccine bioprocessing, vaccine production support, or vaccine process development.

Responsibilities

• Lead production investigations and support daily technical activities within production.
• Provide guidance on product impact from technical or compliance deviations with minimal supervision.
• Understand and lead process development capabilities within the Biotechnology Solutions development lab.

Skills

Biologics

Bioprocess Engineering

Upstream Processing

Vaccine Manufacturing

Process Development

Problem Solving

Team Collaboration

Coaching

CMC Biologics

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Minitab

Job description

Job Description The Sr. Specialist in Biosafety and Biotechnology Solutions (BTS) is responsible for supporting production troubleshooting and optimization, vaccine process development, tech transfers and key business initiatives at the Elkhorn Animal Health site. This position sits within the BTS organization and reports to the Site BTS Director/Lead at Elkhorn, NE; while also collaborating closely with the other teams such as Operations, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Analytical Testing Development, Maintenance, Planning and R&D.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead production investigations and support daily technical activities within production, implementing process improvements.
• Provide guidance on product impact from technical or compliance deviations with minimal supervision.
• Understand and lead process development capabilities within the Biotechnology Solutions development lab.

Collaboration and Culture: Create an open culture of learning, acceptance, and respect within the team and across departments. Promote a culture of safety and biosafety awareness throughout the organization.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, engineering (general, chemical, biological, biochemical), chemistry, biochemistry or a related field.
• Master’s degree or PhD in a related discipline is preferred.
• Experience & Skills: 5+ years’ experience in vaccine bioprocessing, vaccine production support, or vaccine process development, with demonstrated expertise in laboratory safety and risk assessment.
• Strong knowledge of biosafety, aseptic technique and best practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to audiences.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Enthusiasm for continuous learning and imparting knowledge to others.

Preferred Skills and experience

• Prior experience supporting an FDA or USDA-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Previous operations management experience.
• Lean and Six Sigma skills.
• Statistical math skills using Minitab.
• Previous people management experience.

Required Skills

• Biologics, Bioprocess Engineering, Bioprocesses, CMC Biologics, Coaching, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Process Development (PD), Process Improvements, Upstream Processing, Vaccine Manufacturing

Preferred Skills

• Leadership

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only: Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

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: 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. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts.

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

• Annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
• 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.

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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. Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully.

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status: Regular. Relocation: No relocation. VISA Sponsorship: No. Travel Requirements: 10%. Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable. Shift: 1st - Day. Valid Driving License: Yes. Hazardous Material(s): N/A. Job Posting End Date: 10/20/2026. *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.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.