Sr. Scientist, Engineering

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) retirement

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Chemical Engineer for hands-on process development and scale-up from lab to commercial scale. You will conduct independent research to achieve goals in API production, while adhering to cGMP, GDocP, and risk assessments.

The role may involve external suppliers and cross-functional collaboration. The position requires strong communication, organization, and teamwork, with travel around 10% and potential for growth in technology development and

Qualifications

• BS and/or MS in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (or comparable) from an accredited college/university plus at least 5 years of relevant work experience in process development, OR
• PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (or comparable) from an accredited college/university.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, design, plan, and implement advanced experiments aimed at achieving research goals related to process development, technology development, and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).
• Possibly manage process development and/or manufacturing activities at external suppliers.
• Follow cGMPs and participate in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDocP).
• Communicate regularly with cross-functional colleagues/customers and support pilot plant operations.

Skills

Lab-based research

Process scale-up

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

BS/MS in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

Tools

PAT

Design of Experiments

Job description

Position Description

The Chemical Engineering Research & Development department (CERD), part of the Process Research and Development organization, is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced job that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. This position involves hands‑on process development/scale‑up work performed at scales spanning the range from laboratory scale to commercial manufacturing scale. Under scientific and administrative direction, an engineer in this role conducts independent research which involves conceiving, designing, planning, and implementing advanced experiments aimed at achieving research goals related to process development, technology development, and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The candidate may also have the opportunity to manage process development and/or manufacturing activities at external suppliers. The engineer will be expected to exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance, which will include following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and participating in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDocP).

Job Description

The Chemical Engineering Research & Development department (CERD), part of the Process Research and Development organization, is seeking highly motivated individuals who are looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced job that provides a high degree of technical responsibility. This position involves hands‑on process development/scale‑up work performed at scales spanning the range from laboratory scale to commercial manufacturing scale. Under scientific and administrative direction, an engineer in this role conducts independent research which involves conceiving, designing, planning, and implementing advanced experiments aimed at achieving research goals related to process development, technology development, and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The candidate may also have the opportunity to manage process development and/or manufacturing activities at external suppliers. The engineer will be expected to exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance, which will include following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and participating in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDocP).

A high level of innovation, creativity, and self-initiative along with the ability to plan and organize activities are expected. Successful candidates will be required to communicate regularly, clearly, and with confidence as they discuss technical problems, support pilot plant operations, and interface with cross‑functional colleagues/customers.

This position requires approximately 10% -15% travel.

Position Qualifications

Education Minimum Requirement:

The Position Requires Either

• BS and/or MS in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (or comparable) from an accredited college/university plus at least 5 years of relevant work experience in process development, OR
• PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (or comparable) from an accredited college/university.

Required Experience And Skills

• For BS/MS candidates, at least 5 years of relevant work experience post‑graduation, where relevant work experience may include any of the following:
• Experience performing lab‑based research/process development in a chemical engineering‑related area.
• Experience with process scale‑up and/or technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or production scale.
• Highly effective communication and collaboration skills
• Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Direct experience with pharmaceutical drug substance processing
• Familiarity with concepts and application of cGMP and GDocP during pharmaceutical development and production.
• Experience applying statistical experimental design (i.e. Design of Experiments) and/or process modeling
• Experience with organic chemical synthesis and wet chemistry including running experiments, and generating and analyzing data
• Familiarity with Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) and/or data‑rich experimentation
• Background with chemical engineering‑related technology development

Equal Employment Opportunity

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

Salary

The salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this 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

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.

• medical
• dental
• vision healthcare
• other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

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/International

VISA Sponsorship

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

09/28/2026

• 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: R397911