Senior Specialist, Executive Protection – Driver

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 96,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD in Rahway, NJ seeks an Executive Protection Specialist & Secure Driver to provide armed close-in protection and secure transportation for Principals, with rigorous threat assessment and route planning.

This role requires LEOSA credentials, ongoing defensive driving and legal adherence, coordination with Corporate Aviation, and readiness to respond to medical emergencies as needed.

Qualifications

• Active LEOSA qualification and firearms training.
• Minimum 5-7+ years of experience in sworn law enforcement, military special operations, or executive protection.
• Valid driver’s license with clean record; Real ID or passport for air travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide armed secure transportation for Principals to facilities, terminals, events, and residences.
• Execute advanced defensive and evasive driving techniques during threats or high-risk traffic.
• Coordinate with Corporate Aviation for flight schedules and secure ground-to-air transitions.
• Perform threat vulnerability assessments and route planning prior to Principals’ travel; liaise with law enforcement and venue security.
• Serve as first responder to medical emergencies; maintain CPR/AED and advanced first-aid readiness.

Skills

LEOSA qualification

Armed security

Defensive driving

Threat assessment

Emergency response

Law enforcement liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Summary

The Executive Protection Specialist & Secure Driver is a critical operational role within our Company's Global Security & Aviation (GSF) organization. Transitioning from a traditional executive transport function, this highly specialized position provides active, armed close-in protection, secure transportation, and threat mitigation for our Company's highest-level executives (Principals).

Leveraging active LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act) credentials, the Specialist will ensure the safe, efficient, and discreet movement of Principals while conducting comprehensive route planning, threat vulnerability assessments, and tactical emergency response.

Core Responsibilities

1. Secure Transportation & Evasive Operations
   • Provide primary, armed secure transportation for designated Principals to corporate facilities, private aviation terminals, public events, and personal residences.
   • Execute advanced defensive and evasive driving techniques in response to dynamic threats, surveillance, or high-risk traffic scenarios.
   • Maintain the pristine operational readiness of corporate executive vehicles, including coordinating specialized maintenance if required.
   • Coordinate seamlessly with our Company's Corporate Aviation team regarding flight schedules, tarmac access, and secure ground-to-air transitions.
2. Protective Intelligence & Advance Operations
   • Conduct comprehensive physical security and threat vulnerability advances for all intended travel routes, venues, and meeting locations prior to the Principal's arrival.
   • Develop primary and secondary route plans, identifying critical infrastructure (e.g., nearest trauma centers, safe havens, and local law enforcement staging areas).
   • Liaise proactively with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as venue security personnel, to coordinate secure movements and intelligence sharing.
   • Monitor real-time protective intelligence feeds and open-source intelligence (OSINT) to identify potential threats or disruptions along travel routes.
3. Tactical Medical & Emergency Response
   • Serve as the immediate first responder for medical emergencies involving the Principal.
   • Maintain active certifications in advanced first-aid, CPR, and AED deployment.
   • Deploy rapid trauma care and coordinate emergency medical evacuations in the event of an incident or attack.
4. Compliance, Training & Legal Adherence
   • Maintain continuous compliance with LEOSA (HR 218) requirements, including mandated annual firearms qualification and legal use-of-force training.
   • Adhere strictly to our Company's Global Security policies, Use of Force guidelines, and local/state/federal firearms regulations.
   • Participate in mandatory, ongoing defensive driving and tactical response training scenarios.
   • Ensure absolute discretion, operational security (OPSEC), and confidentiality regarding the Principal’s itinerary and personal information.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 5-7+ years of experience in sworn law enforcement, military special operations, or high-level corporate/government executive protection.

Licenses & Credentials (Required)

• Active and in-good-standing qualification under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA / HR 218), permitting the concealed carry of a firearm nationwide.
• Valid driver's license with an impeccable driving record.
• Real ID or valid passport required for air travel.

Work Schedule & Travel

• Flexibility to work non-standard hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on executive schedules and operational requirements.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally, including out-of-state travel, up to 10%.

Preferred Certifications & Training

• Documented completion of an advanced defensive/evasive driving course.
• Current CPR/AED certification.
• Advanced tactical first-aid certification (e.g., TCCC or TECC).
• Ability to successfully obtain Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Armed Security Officer (ASO) certification.

Physical Requirements

• Maintain a high level of physical fitness to respond effectively to emergency situations.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects (50+ lbs).
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

Education

• Bachelor's degree minimum required.

Key Competencies for Success

• Extreme Situational Awareness: Ability to rapidly read environments and identify pre-attack indicators or surveillance.
• High-Stress Decision Making: Capacity to execute decisive, critical actions under severe pressure or imminent threat.
• Executive Polish & Discretion: Ability to blend seamlessly into corporate, diplomatic, and high-net-worth environments while maintaining a low profile posture.

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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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:

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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.

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The salary range for this role is $96,200.00 - $151,400.00. 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 401k, paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: No relocation
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: 50%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: Not Indicated
• Valid Driving License: Yes
• Hazardous Material(s): N/A
• Job Posting End Date: 09/28/2026*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.