Senior Specialist Engineering

Merck & Co.; De Soto (KS); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in the United States is seeking a Senior Specialist, Bioprocess Engineer to contribute to the production of veterinary vaccines and biologics at the Center of Excellence in the Animal Health Corridor.

The role focuses on knowledge management, tech transfers, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure robust, compliant processes. Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor's (Master's preferred) in a life science or engineering field with 5+ years in biopharma/vaccine manufacturing and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with significant relevant experience in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or a related life science/engineering field. A Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in biopharmaceutical or vaccine manufacturing, process development, or technology transfer.
• Proven track record in leading tech transfer or major technical projects as an individual contributor.
• Strong understanding of upstream, downstream, fill‑finish and/or lyophilization processes in vaccine or biopharma manufacturing.
• Experience in vaccine/biopharma-regulated environments.
• Experience with process characterization, scale-up/scale-down, and process robustness.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and own regional knowledge management implementation across sites and processes.
• Lead regional vaccine technology transfers end-to-end with technical readiness and implementation.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks with structured assessments and data-driven action plans.
• Lead cross-functional technical projects/workstreams enabling transfer success and improved performance.
• Train and mentor new hires to strengthen team capability and consistency.
• Ensure post-transfer process robustness through monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement with sites and Quality.
• Deliver compliant technical documentation and clear stakeholder communication aligned with quality and governance.

Skills

Biologics

Biopharmaceuticals

Bioprocessing

Downstream Processing

Life Science

Process Development

Technology Transfer

Vaccine Manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Senior Specialist, Bioprocess Engineer

As a Senior Specialist, Bioprocess Engineer, you will be part of a world‑class team at our Center of Excellence in the Animal Health Corridor, contributing directly to the production of veterinary products that improve animal health and welfare globally.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and own regional knowledge management implementation -for assigned processes, ensuring consistent rollout and adoption across sites (e.g., transfer packages, playbooks, lessons learned, best practices) and effective knowledge sharing within the region.
• Lead regional vaccine technology transfers -end-to-end, ensuring technical readiness and successful implementation at receiving sites.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks -ahead of transfer execution through structured assessments and data‑driven action plans.
• Lead cross‑functional technical projects/workstreams -that enable transfer success and improve process performance.
• Train and mentor new hires, strengthening team capability and consistent ways of working.
• Ensure post‑transfer process robustness -through monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement in partnership with sites and Quality.
• Deliver compliant technical documentation and clear stakeholder communication -aligned with quality, regulatory and internal governance.

Job Requirements

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor's degree with significant relevant experience in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or a related life science/engineering field. A Master's degree preferred.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in biopharmaceutical or vaccine manufacturing, process development, or technology transfer.
• Proven track record in leading tech transfer or major technical projects as an individual contributor.
• Strong understanding of upstream, downstream, fill‑finish and/or lyophilization processes in vaccine or biopharma manufacturing.
• Experience in vaccine/biopharma‑regulated environments
• Experience with process characterization, scale‑up/scale‑down, and process robustness.

• Technical and problem‑solving skills to motivate cross‑functional team responsible for implementation.
• Ability to train, coach, and influence others; strong problem‑solving and decision‑making.
• High degree of ownership, scientific rigor, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Proficiency in technical risk assessment and data analysis for process performance.
• Ability to prioritize, focus on and obtain business results.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Familiarity with USDA regulatory expectations.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills for diverse stakeholders.
• Strong project leadership and cross‑functional collaboration without formal line authority.

Schedule Requirements:

• Able to work first shift, Monday through Friday-as base schedule.
• Off‑shift coverage may be required-based on manufacturing/transfer activities.

What We're Looking For

• Demonstrate execution excellence through effective problem‑solving and critical thinking.
• Embrace an entrepreneurial mindset, taking initiative and ownership of their work.
• Adapt with agility and resilience in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
• Uphold a safety‑first mindset, ensuring the well‑being of themselves and their colleagues.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a transformative team that will shape the future of animal health.
• Work in a region renowned for its skilled workforce, strategic location, and robust infrastructure.
• Contribute to cutting‑edge research and manufacturing of large‑molecule vaccines and biologic products.
• Help us meet growing global demand for our portfolio of animal health solutions.

Required Skills:

Biologics, Biopharmaceuticals, Bioprocessing, Downstream Processing, Life Science, Process Development (PD), Technology Transfer, Vaccine Manufacturing

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 primary location for this posting is:

USA - Kansas - De Soto

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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 .

Additional location(s):

Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: Yes

Hazardous Material(s): N/A