Senior Specialist Manufacturing Automation Engineer

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

Job summary

MSD in West Point, PA seeks a Senior Specialist Manufacturing Automation Engineer to own process automation across Barrier Operations Formulation and Filling. You will troubleshoot, maintain cGMP-compliant automation, and act as SME within a production team, driving improvements and supporting audits.

The role requires a BS in engineering or CS and 5+ years in a regulated automation role, with strong matrix leadership, PLC/DCS experience, SDLC, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a manufacturing automation-related role in a regulated industry.
• Ability to translate manufacturing requirements into automation/digital solutions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Leadership in a matrix organization.
• System validation and other quality management functions.
• Experience with SDLC and change controls for GMP regulated processes/systems.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot challenging equipment/automation issues and drive improvements.
• Maintain automation systems in compliance with cGMP through equipment life cycle.
• Act as automation SME within a production team and provide technical assistance.
• Support peers in areas of expertise for team success.
• Review automation documents, preventive maintenance, and SOPs for GMP/safety compliance.
• Develop and support corrective actions for investigations related to automation/IT systems.
• Ensure efficient operation of automated processing and IT systems.
• Participate in audits and training; provide floor support.
• Generate and implement change controls to meet facility needs.

Skills

cGMP Guidelines

cGMP Regulations

DCS Configuration

Industrial Communication Protocols

Investigation Management

IQ OQ PQ

IT Systems Integration

Matrix Leadership

Matrix Management

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)

SDLC

Technical Project Management

Technical Writing

Troubleshooting

Education

BS in Engineering, Computer Science or related field

Tools

DeltaV DCS

Allen-Bradley PLC

OPC

Siemens Step7

Modbus/Fieldbus/Profibus

Virtual Machines

Database management

IT administration

Job description

Senior Specialist Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Our company aspires to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Join our manufacturing division and be part of a team that ensures the highest quality of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. We work with a “Safety First, Quality Always” mindset striving for continuous improvement.

The Senior Specialist Manufacturing Automation Engineer in the West Point Digital Manufacturing Operations organization will be responsible for the manufacturing and supporting utilities process automation systems in the Barrier Operations Formulation and Filling facility at the West Point, PA site.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshooting challenging equipment/automation issues and innovating to improve manufacturing performance
• Maintaining the automation systems in compliance with cGMPs through the life cycle of the equipment (initial qualification through retirement)
• Providing support as an automated systems Subject Matter Expert within an existing production team, including technical assistance in fulfilling the automation requirements for the team
• Supporting peers in areas of expertise to ensure success of the team
• Reviewing automation documents, preventive maintenance, and SOPs to ensure compliance with GMP and safety
• Developing and supporting corrective actions for investigations related to automation or IT systems
• Using technical knowledge to assure the efficient operation of a variety of automated processing and information technology systems
• Participating in audits and training programs
• Providing on-floor support of manufacturing activities
• Generating and implementing change controls to meet the needs of the facility

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering, Computer Science or related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a manufacturing automation-related role in a regulated industry
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with team, peers and area leads
• Demonstrated leadership in achieving shared objectives in a matrix organization
• Strong understanding of manufacturing principles/processes and ability to translate manufacturing requirements into Automation/digital solution
• Proven track record of analytical skills, problem solving and attention to detail
• Able to demonstrate our company's Leadership Principles and Enterprise Leadership
• High personal integrity, credibility, and energy
• Strong technical writing capabilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Project Management Experience
• System validation and other Quality management functions
• Experience with navigating/troubleshooting Process Control systems, with preferred experience with the following: DeltaV DCS, Allen Bradly PLC, OPC, Siemens Step7, Modbus/Fieldbus/Profibus and other related technologies
• Preferred Understanding and ability to apply regulatory/compliance requirements relative to their role Networking, Virtual Machines, Database management and other general IT administration Direct experience with SDLC and change controls for a GMP regulated process/system

Required Skills

• cGMP Guidelines
• cGMP Regulations
• DCS Configuration
• Industrial Communication Protocols
• Investigation Management
• IQ OQ PQ
• IT Systems Integration
• Matrix Leadership
• Matrix Management
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
• Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
• Technical Project Management
• Technical Writing
• Troubleshooting

Preferred Skills

• Change Controls
• Regulatory Management
• Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Virtual Machines (VM)

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.

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 - Pennsylvania - West Point.

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. This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

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.

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: 10%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
• Shift: 1st - Day
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): n/a
• Job Posting End Date: 11/9/2026

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.