Senior Specialist, DDT–Lab Automation, Lab Automation / Controls Engineer (SCADA/Ignition) (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

401(k)

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Senior Specialist, Laboratory Automation / Controls Engineer to join the Lab Automation team.

You will help us build automated and connected laboratories by deploying SCADA systems and orchestration platforms, leveraging Ignition to integrate equipment, workflows, and data. The role spans back-end architecture, equipment modules, and user interfaces, requiring collaboration with IT and researchers to design scalable solutions and ensure reliable,

Qualifications

• Experience designing and deploying production solutions using SCADA or orchestration software (Ignition, DeltaV, WinCC OA, etc)
• Automation experience in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, or life-sciences
• Experience with scripting, version control, and design patterns
• Ability to deliver automation solutions independently and lead cross-functional workstreams
• Strong collaboration and communication with end-users, technicians, and vendors

Responsibilities

• Build the digital backbone of automated laboratories by designing SCADA-based solutions that connect equipment, workflows, and data
• Translate workflows into scalable systems, leading standard project work with researchers and automation engineers
• Own solution design across back-end architecture, equipment modules, UI, and orchestration logic
• Address integration challenges with systems-thinking and cross-domain solutions
• Lead integration of instruments, platforms, and data systems for end-to-end digital workflows
• Improve architecture, performance, reliability and maintainability of the platform
• Mentor colleagues and establish SCADA/orchestration development standards
• Document designs and create reusable patterns for long-term scalability
• Drive implementation of standard laboratory SCADA projects with minimal guidance

Skills

SCADA systems

Automation engineering

Scripting

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Ignition

DeltaV

WinCC OA

Job description

Job Description We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a portfolio of prescription medicines, oncology, vaccines and animal health products. We are driven by our purpose to develop and deliver innovative products that save and improve lives. With 69,000 employees operating in more than 140 countries, we offer state-of-the-art laboratories, plants and offices that are designed to inspire our employees as we learn, develop and grow in our careers. We are proud of our over 125 years of service to humanity and continue to be one of the world’s biggest investors in Research & Development.

In the Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) organization, we believe digital is the force multiplier that enables faster experiments, smarter decisions, more robust supply chains, and is ultimately redefining how we bring medicines to patients. Within DSCS, the DSCS Digital Technologies (DDT) team is building the next generation of data-rich, connected lab environments—where hardware, software, and AI-driven tools work together to accelerate pharmaceutical development. Our goal is simple but ambitious: embed advanced digital capabilities into the DNA of how we work. We believe this future starts with an effective foundation of laboratory tools: innovative robotics, process analytical technology (PAT), high-throughput technologies, reliable instrumentation, and integrated systems that seamlessly transition data from the physical labs to the digital world. We believe innovation is fueled by different teams that come together to build technologies that truly impact how our scientists conduct research. We’re looking for a Senior Specialist to help make this vision real.

We are seeking a Senior Specialist, Laboratory Automation / Controls Engineer to join our Lab Automation team in Rahway, NJ. In this role, the candidate will help us execute towards our goal of automated and connected laboratories through the utilization and deployment of laboratory SCADA systems and orchestration platforms. The candidate will leverage industry standard and emerging technologies such as Ignition in concert with operational technologies to enable integration, orchestration, and visualization of laboratory systems and workflows. This position will work collaboratively across laboratory automation, digital engineering, and IT teams to independently own and deliver technical solutions connecting laboratory equipment, automation systems, and data pipelines into cohesive, scalable solutions aligned with our future vision.

How You'll Make An Impact

• Build the digital backbone of automated laboratories by independently designing and developing SCADA-based (e.g. Ignition) solutions that connect equipment, workflows, and data into cohesive systems
• Translate scientific workflows into scalable systems by assessing requirements, leading standard project work, and partnering with researchers and automation engineers to deliver robust digital implementations
• Develop across the operations technology platform stack by owning solution design and implementation across back-end architecture (in collaboration with IT), equipment modules, user interfaces, and orchestration logic
• Solve complex integration challenges by applying systems-level thinking and identifying innovative solutions across software, automation, and laboratory workflows
• Connect the ecosystem by leading integration of instruments, automation platforms, and data systems to enable end-to-end digital workflows
• Continuously improve platform capabilities by recommending and implementing improvements to architecture, performance, reliability, usability, and maintainability
• Empower the organization by coaching and mentoring colleagues and establishing laboratory SCADA and orchestration development standards and best practices
• Build for sustainability by establishing clear documentation and reusable design patterns that support long-term scalability
• Lead implementation of standard laboratory SCADA and orchestration projects, managing technical scope, priorities, stakeholder coordination, and delivery with minimal guidance

Education Minimum Requirement

• A B.S. in Engineering (i.e. Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical), Computer Science, Robotics, Mechatronics, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 4 years of relevant experience

Required Experience And Skills

• Experience designing and deploying production solutions using SCADA or orchestration software (Ignition, DeltaV, WinCC OA, etc)
• Demonstrated automation experience supporting process development or production of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, or relevant life-sciences
• Experience defining and applying scripting/programming approaches that follow accepted best practices, including version control, design patterns, and clean code
• Demonstrated ability to independently deliver automation solutions with minimal guidance and lead standard workstreams on cross-functional teams
• Effective scientific collaboration and communication skills with the ability to assess requirements, guide technical decisions, and navigate conversations with end-users, technicians, and vendors

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Experience with scripting/programming in one or more of the following: Python, C#, VBA, JavaScript, R
• Experience with automation edge devices and controllers (PLC, microcontrollers, etc)
• Ability to recognize, prototype, and deploy innovative technologies in laboratory automation
• Understanding of data science and AI/ML concepts and their application to automation systems
• Understanding of (bio)pharmaceutical process research and development, drug product development, and/or analytical development
• Experience with manufacturing equipment, process control, tuning, networking, data analysis
• Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity
• Deep interest and desire to understand how systems work. Self-proclaimed maker, builder, tinkerer
• Understanding of IT networking: system architecture, infrastructure integration, and deployment approaches
• Demonstrated experience owning delivery of complete automation or integration solutions from requirements through deployment

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.

Requirements

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.

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.

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

Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

Flammable

Job Posting End Date

09/25/2026

• 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.

Requisition ID

R416078