Sr. Scientist, Drug/Device Combo Products (Onsite)

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ seeks a highly skilled engineer to lead design, mechanical testing, and method development for drug delivery device platforms.

You will work with advanced analytical instruments and develop test methods to understand material and functional properties, contributing to product design improvements. The role demands strong collaboration across teams, proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks), GD&T, and rigorous documentation practices.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS with 4+ years or BS with 6+ years in design, engineering and mechanical testing/test method development.
• Strong mechanical testing and troubleshooting skills; able to work independently.
• Experience training junior staff on instrumentation operation and data analysis and statistics.
• Deep understanding of test method development and qualification/validation techniques.

Skills

Mechanical testing

Data analysis

Statistics

3D CAD (SolidWorks)

GD&T

Instrumentation operation

Prototyping

Good Documentation Practices

Cross-functional collaboration

Troubleshooting

Education

B.S./M.S./Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Instron

XRCT

Vision Systems (Keyence/Cognex)

Job description

Job Description

Role Summary

This position will be responsible for technical interrogation of the various drug delivery device technology platforms supporting our Company, pipeline to identify risks and opportunities for improvement. They will utilize a wide variety of cutting-edge analytical instruments, methods, and extensive data analysis/interpretation to build fundamental understanding of the device's material and functional properties and attributes. Many of the drug delivery device technology platforms are often assemblages of injection molded plastic components driving delivery of a drug, typically though mechanical or electro-mechanical means. Examples include, but not limited to, injector pens, on-body injectors, and inhalers. At this early stage of evaluation material is often limited and will demand creative approaches.

Join us and experience our culture first-hand - one of strong ethics & integrity, diversified experiences, exceptional science, and a resounding passion for improving human health. As part of our global team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

Education Requirement

• B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent field is required.

Required Experience and Skills

• A minimum of a Ph.D., M.S. plus 4 years, or B.S. plus 6 years of design, engineering, and mechanical testing/test method development experience.
• Exceptional mechanical testing and troubleshooting skills able to work independently in a laboratory setting.
• Experience training junior staff on instrumentation operation and data analysis/interpretation best practices, including statistical analysis techniques.
• Deep technical understanding of test method development and qualification/validation techniques.
• Fluency with mechanical testing, imaging, and measurement equipment and techniques. Including, but not limited to, -force/tension/compression testing, rheometry, and microscopy.
• Excellent collaboration, ideation, and prototyping skills, including fixture development for functional testing.
• Experience in 3D CAD (e.g. Solidworks), geometric tolerancing and stack-up analysis.
• Documents (following Good Documentation Practices) and analyzes test cases and provides comprehensive feedback and recommendations for product or design changes.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience operating and interpreting data from Instron, XRCT, Microscopes, Vision Systems (ex Keyence / Cognex), Bouncer, drop shape analyzers, spectrophotometers, and rheometers.
• Develop innovative mechanical tests with validations, including engineering studies, design verification protocols, stability studies and validation protocols, ensuring appropriate selection of acceptance criteria and sampling plans. Ensures measurement systems analysis (MSA's) for all finished product performance test methods as needed in tech transfer or lifecycle.
• Experience with medical device development with understanding of Design Controls (21 CFR 820.30)
• Familiarity with the following standards: Quality Management - ISO 13485, Risk Management - ISO 14971, EU MDR, Medical Electrical Equipment - EN 60601, Medical Device Software Standard - IEC 62304, ISO 11608 Needle-based injection system for medical use.
• Additional familiarity/experience with the following industry related knowledge is a plus:
• 21 CFR Part 4
• 21 CFR 211
• FDA Guidance for Industry, Container Closure Systems for Packaging Human Drugs & Biologics
• ISO 13485
• ISO 14971
• ISO 11040
• ISO 10993

Required Skills

Analytical Method Development, Analytical Method Development, Component Test, Creativity, Design Evaluations, Design Verification, Device Design, External Partners, Fixtures Design, Geometric Dimensioning And Tolerancing (GD&T), Instron Machine, ISO 13485 Medical Devices, Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Mechanical Design, Mechanical Testing, Medical Devices Design, Method Validation, Product Analysis, Product Development, Prototyping, Standards Compliance, Statistical Analysis, Teamwork, Technical Evaluation, Technical Writing {+ 2 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. 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.

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

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - New Jersey - Rahway

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

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/A

Job Posting End Date

10/31/2026

*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.

Requisition ID: R423005