Senior Specialist Manufacturing Automation Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Vacation days

Sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co. is seeking a Senior Specialist Manufacturing Automation Engineer for the Barrier Operations Formulation and Filling facility in West Point, PA.

You will manage manufacturing automation systems and support utilities, ensuring cGMP compliance and continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment. The role requires expertise in DCS/PLC systems and IT/automation integration, leadership in a matrix organization, and strong technical writing and communication skills.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering, CS or related field.
• 5+ years in a manufacturing automation role in a regulated industry.
• Ability to lead in a matrix organization.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing principles and how to translate to automation/digital solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Experience with DeltaV DCS, Allen-Bradley PLC, OPC, Siemens Step7, Modbus/Fieldbus.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot automation issues and improve manufacturing performance.
• Maintain automation systems in cGMP compliance throughout equipment lifecycle.
• Provide automation SME support within production teams.
• Support peers with automation expertise to ensure team success.
• Review automation docs, preventive maintenance, and SOPs for GMP and safety.
• 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 programs.
• Provide on-floor support for manufacturing activities.
• Generate and implement change controls to meet facility needs.

Skills

DeltaV DCS

Allen-Bradley PLC

OPC

Siemens Step7

Modbus/Fieldbus

SDLC

Technical writing

Project management

Regulatory compliance

cGMP knowledge

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, CS or related field

Tools

Virtual Machines

Networking

Database management

Job description

Job Description

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

Required

• 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)

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 - 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

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

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.