Senior Specialist, Global Engineering Solutions - Packaging Engineer Capital Project Lead

Merck; North Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Process Engineer to drive capital projects from business case through CQV completion. You will merge technical expertise with project leadership, vendor management, and stakeholder input to ensure safe, compliant execution across manufacturing, labs, infrastructure, and packaging environments.

You will participate in feasibility studies, develop execution plans, manage budgets, and champion cost discipline while leading CQV activities and delivering reliable handover to

Qualifications

• BS degree in Packaging, Process, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or Automation.
• Minimum 5 years delivering capital or expense projects.
• Experience leading CQV on a significant large capital project is preferred.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead large capital projects independently or manage a portfolio of smaller projects.
• Guide integrated project teams to deliver critical assets on time and within budget.
• Develop project execution plans and ensure project scope supports an effective business solution.
• Support feasibility studies and provide input for project and equipment design decisions.
• Alignment of vendor/equipment deliverables with the core mission of the project.
• Act as single point of ownership at a Tier 1 level to ensure all project sub-teams are accountable to cost and schedule.
• Ensure escalations to Tier 2 are made early to mitigate major project impact.
• Participate in GES Tier 3 process to highlight escalations and project needs.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Technology, Maintenance, QA and Safety.
• Manage or support commissioning, qualification, and project close-out.
• Ensure CQV readiness and support a smooth handover to operations.
• Facilitate GMP design reviews, support validation master plans, and contribute to quality risk assessments.
• Help deliver fit-for-purpose systems ready for reliable operation.
• Develop CQV strategies and lead end-to-end CQV activities when required.
• Coordinate CQV professionals and support system boundaries and traceability.

Skills

Communication skills

Decision making

Problem solving

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in Packaging

Process Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Automation

Job description

Job Description

Job Summary

As Process Engineer within the GES Tech Center, your purpose is to deliver capital projects successfully from business case/FEL1 through C&Q Complete. You will combine technical expertise, project leadership, vendor management and stakeholder input to ensure safe, compliant, and effective execution across manufacturing, laboratory, infrastructure, and packaging environments.

You will play a key role in feasibility assessments, business case support, project execution planning, procurement, cost control, construction oversight, commissioning, qualification, and handover readiness. You will work in a dynamic, international environment where collaboration across Operations, Quality, Technology, Maintenance, Safety, and external suppliers is essential to delivering reliable project outcomes.

Primary responsibilities

Project leadership and execution

Lead large capital projects independently or manage a portfolio of smaller projects.

Guide integrated project teams to deliver critical assets on time and within budget.

Develop project execution plans and ensure project scope supports an effective business solution.

Support feasibility studies and provide sound input for project and equipment design decisions.

Alignment of vendor/equipment deliverables with the core mission of the project.

Act as single point of ownership at a Tier 1 level to ensure all project sub-teams (DMO, PTO, CQV) are accountable to their cost and schedule deliverables.

Ensure escalations to Tier 2 are made early and accurately to mitigate major project impact.

Participate in GES Tier 3 process under the mentorship of the Wilson Tech Center Packaging Lead to highlight escalations and project needs.

Business cases, procurement, and financial control

Support the development, review, submission, and approval of business cases.

Contribute scope, schedule, budget, and capital justification inputs.

Develop and implement procurement strategies suited to project needs.

Manage cost budgeting, forecasting, and control with strong financial discipline.

Champion use of least cost scope and TVD (Target Value Delivery) principles to deliver on or under project cost targets.

Schedule, construction, and change management

Collaborate with GES strategic scheduling team to stand up level 1 schedule using last planner principles in FEL stages.

Develop and maintain project pull planning schedules and ensure effective schedule control during execution.

Provide oversight during construction and execution.

Implement change management and control (GES change management process) throughout the project lifecycle.

Identify risks early and lead mitigation actions to protect project delivery.

Stakeholder communication and collaboration

Build strong working relationships with Operations, Quality, Technology (Packaging Tech Ops, Automation), Maintenance, QA and Safety.

Ensure effective reporting and communication across stakeholders and project teams.

Align internal and external parties to support timely decision-making and execution.

Commissioning, qualification, and close-out

Manage or support commissioning, qualification, contract administration, and project close-out.

Ensure CQV readiness and support a smooth, compliant handover to operations.

Facilitate GMP design reviews, support validation master plans, and contribute to quality risk assessments.

Help deliver fit-for-purpose systems that are ready for reliable operational use.

CQV leadership and technical excellence

Develop sound C&Q strategies rooted in single test approach and vendor leveraged testing.

Lead end-to-end CQV activities across a project portfolio when required.

Coordinate CQV professionals and support system boundaries, criticality assessments, and traceability.

Support standard work initiatives and contribute to digital or paperless CQV execution.

Maintain and grow technical knowledge of equipment, utilities, components, and data integrity requirements.

Challenge vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure robust, compliant, and maintainable solutions.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging, Process, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and/or Automation.

Experience

Minimum 5 years of experience delivering capital and/or expense projects. Strong experience in integrated project teams, project scheduling, budget control, commissioning and qualification, change management, and stakeholder collaboration. Experience leading CQV on a significant large capital project is preferred. Some experience with project management, process and packaging technology, automation, or facility management is an advantage. Familiarity with packaging equipment, vendors and regulatory expectations.

Skills and competencies

Strong oral and written communication skills. Strong decision-making, problem-solving, teamwork, and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multicultural enviro