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

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

401(k) plan

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

MSD is seeking a highly qualified mechanical engineer to interrogate drug delivery device platforms, identify risks, and drive improvements through advanced testing and data interpretation.

The role emphasizes building fundamental understanding of materials and device behavior, requiring strong lab skills and proficiency with CAD tools and statistical methods.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS with extensive design, engineering and mechanical testing experience.
• Expertise in mechanical testing and troubleshooting in lab settings.
• Experience training junior staff on instrumentation operation and data analysis.
• Deep understanding of test method development and validation techniques.
• Fluency with mechanical testing equipment and techniques (force/tension/compression, microscopy).

Responsibilities

• Interrogate drug delivery device platforms to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Use advanced instruments and data analysis to understand material and functional properties.
• Develop test methods and contribute to design changes based on results.

Skills

Mechanical testing

Data analysis

3D CAD (SolidWorks)

GD&T

Statistical analysis

Fixture design

Technical writing

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

MS in Mechanical Engineering

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Instron

XRCT

Microscopes

Vision Systems (Keyence/Cognex)

Bouncer

Rheometer

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 PSCS eligibleforERP.

Core Technical 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
• Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity

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.

For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement.

Location and Compensation

Primary location for this posting is: USA – New Jersey – Rahway.

When 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.

Benefits Package

• Medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Compassionate and sick days

More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Additional Locations

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.

Job Posting End Date

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.

About the Company

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.