Specialist Engineering

Merck; De Soto (KS); On-site; USD 87,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks a Specialist, Bioprocess Engineer to join the BTS Americas Strategic Projects team in the Animal Health sector. You will support regional vaccine technology transfers, contributing to knowledge management, risk assessments, and post-transfer monitoring with Manufacturing, Quality, Process Development, and Regulatory Affairs.

The role emphasizes collaboration, documentation, and continuous improvement within a regulated (GxP) environment to ensure compliant, efficient transfer

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, bioprocess engineering, or technology transfer.
• Knowledge of upstream, downstream, fill-finish, and lyophilization bioprocessing operations and control.
• Experience in a regulated (GxP) environment with data integrity.
• Strong collaboration and communication across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Support vaccine technology transfers by preparing inputs and documentation.
• Contribute to technical risk assessments and mitigation plans for transfers.
• Support cross-functional workstreams to enable transfer success.
• Assist with onboarding/training and knowledge management activities.
• Draft and review protocols, reports, and communications with quality and regulatory.

Skills

Execution excellence

Entrepreneurial mindset

Safety-first mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related life science/engineering field

Job description

Job Description

For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science. Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology. Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.

Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence. Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.

Specialist, Bioprocess Engineer

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Animal Health

As a BioTechnology Solutions (BTS) Specialist and manufacturing process engineer, you will be part of a world-class team within Animal Health, contributing directly to the production of veterinary products that improve animal health and welfare globally.

The Specialist in the BTS Americas Strategic Projects team supports regional vaccine manufacturing technology assessments, transfers and associated technical activities. This individual contributor partners with Manufacturing, Quality, Process Development, Regulatory Affairs, Production Planning, Global Engineering Solutions and other stakeholders to help ensure compliant, efficient transfer execution and stable process performance at receiving sites. The role contributes to knowledge management implementation in the region, supports technical risk assessments and mitigation actions, and assists with post-transfer monitoring and continuous improvement. The Specialist may support onboarding/training activities and will elevate complex issues to senior team members as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Support vaccine technology transfers by preparing technical inputs and documentation, coordinating readiness activities, and assisting during execution and start-up at receiving sites.
• Contribute to technical risk assessments and mitigation by gathering data, supporting fit-gap evaluations, and helping implement agreed action plans prior to transfer runs.
• Support cross-functional technical workstreams/projects that enable transfer success and improve process performance, escalating risks/issues when needed.
• Support regional knowledge management implementation for assigned processes by maintaining transfer packages, playbooks, lessons learned, and best practices; coordinate updates and promote consistent adoption across sites.
• Assist with post-transfer process robustness through monitoring/trending, troubleshooting support, and participation in investigations and continuous improvement in partnership with sites and Quality.
• Contribute to training and onboarding by maintaining training materials and delivering selected training modules, as assigned.
• Deliver compliant technical documentation and communication by drafting/reviewing protocols, reports, summaries, and trackers aligned with quality, regulatory, and internal governance expectations.

Job Requirements

Education (Minimum)

• Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related life science/engineering field.

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 2 years experience in biopharmaceutical, antigen, or vaccine manufacturing, bioprocess engineering, process development, or technology transfer.
• Working knowledge ofupstream, downstream, fill-finish and lyophilization bioprocessing operations and fundamentals ofprocess parameters definition and control strategies.
• Experience working in aregulated (GxP) environment with strong attention to documentation and data integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to support technical problem solving, investigations, and basic risk management tools (e.g., FMEA or similar).
• Strong collaboration skills in cross-functional teams; ability to communicate clearly and elevate effectively.
• Continuous improvement mindset with good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Exposure toprocess characterization, scale-up/scale-down concepts, and process robustness monitoring.
• Familiarity withUSDA regulatory expectations, related to technology transfers of antigens and vaccines.
• Strong technical writing skills and comfort presenting technical content to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience supporting project teams and delivering to timeline milestones and critical goals in a matrixed environment.
• Ability to prioritize, focus on and obtain business results.

Schedule Requirements

• Able to workfirst shift, Monday through Friday as base schedule.
• Off-shift coverage may be required based on manufacturing/transfer activities.

What We’re Looking For

We seek individuals who:

• Demonstrate execution excellence through effective problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Embrace an entrepreneurial mindset, taking initiative and ownership of their work.
• Adapt with agility and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Uphold a safety-first mindset, ensuring the well-being of themselves and their colleagues.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a transformative team that will shape the future of animal health.
• Work in a region renowned for its skilled workforce, strategic location, and robust infrastructure.
• Contribute to cutting-edge research and manufacturing of large-molecule vaccines and biologic products.
• Help us meet a growing global demand for our portfolio of animal health solutions

Required Skills: Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Applied Mathematics, Business Agility, Cell Culture Process Development, Collaboration, Communication, Competency Management, Construction Cost Estimating, Cross-Functional Project Management, Data Analysis, Engineering Standards, Enterprise Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Estimation and Planning, Group Dynamics, Knowledge Management, Leading Project Teams, Maintenance Supervision, Manufacturing Processes, Manufacturing Quality Control, Prioritization, Process Improvements, Product Development {+ 9 more}

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: 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 - Kansas - De Soto

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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.