Senior Specialist, Engineering

Merck; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Senior Specialist, Engineering at the West Point site to lead investigations stemming from manufacturing deviations in live virus vaccine operations. The role focuses on root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and robust documentation, with cross-functional collaboration across safety, quality, automation, and production teams.

You will design experiments, support shop-floor troubleshooting, and drive continuous improvement within Deviation Management, while maintaining GMP

Qualifications

• Minimum four years post-bachelor's GMP manufacturing experience or MS with two years experience.
• Ability to drive results and foster accountability.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Leads manufacturing investigations, identifying root cause and corrective actions.
• Examines issues from safety, compliance, automation, equipment, process and people perspectives.
• Provides technical support to manufacturing shop floor for problems.
• Designs experimental protocols using lab facilities and/or production equipment.
• Authors and updates manufacturing documents for investigations, change control and validation.
• Drives continuous improvement of deviation management processes.

Skills

Deviation Management

Root Cause Analysis

GMP Compliance

Project Management

Technical Support

Viral Vaccines

Manufacturing

Process Validation

Education

B.S. degree in Engineering or Sciences

Job description

Job Description

Senior Specialist, Engineering, will be responsible for support of production of live virus vaccines within bulk vaccine production and/or final formulation and filling operations. This engineer will be a member of the Technical Operations Deviation Management team in the Live Virus Vaccine Manufacturing End-to-End at the West Point site. The primary responsibility of the individual will be leading investigations associated with manufacturing deviations and development of actions in response to these deviations. Support will be focused on the Deviation Management process including operations support, equipment troubleshooting, implementation of process/ equipment actions, and other related duties. This position will require development of technical expertise of corresponding IPT operations. Limited off-shift or weekend coverage may be required based on business unit needs and specific assignments.

Responsibilities Include

• Leads manufacturing investigations, identifying root cause, assessing impact, and recommending corrective actions.
• Examines issues from diverse perspectives (safety, compliance, automation, equipment, process, and people) in order to best understand and resolve the root cause.
• Assures consistent application of standardized work, engineering, project management and process tools.
• Provides technical support to manufacturing shop floor for problems and issues.
• Conducts and designs experimental protocols as needed using the Technical Operations lab facilities and/or production equipment at full scale.
• Authors and updates technical and manufacturing documents necessary for investigations, process design/definition, engineering studies, process demonstrations, change control and validation.
• Provides document review, coaching and training to team members.
• Drives continuous improvement of deviation management and associated processes.

Education Minimum Requirements

• B.S. degree in Engineering or Sciences.

Required Experience And Skills

• Minimum four (4) years post-bachelor’s degree experience in GMP (good manufacturing practices) manufacturing and/or technical support of GMP manufacturing (or M.S. degree with 2 years experience).
• Demonstrated ability to drive results
• Strong communication, collaboration skills and ability to drive accountability
• Strong problem-solving skillset

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Vaccine manufacturing
• Sterile processing
• Experience authoring investigations

Required Skills

Adaptability, Corrective Action Management, Customer-Oriented, Deviation Management, Engineering Standards, GMP Compliance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Maintenance Engineering, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Process Validation, Manufacturing Support, Operations Support, Process Optimization, Project Management, Project Management System, Project Planning, Project Resource Management, Regulatory Compliance, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Strategic Thinking, Teamwork, Technical Support, Technical Transfer, Viral Vaccines

Preferred Skills

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.

Salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

08/26/2026

• 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:

R411566