Associate Director, Engineering - GES

Job Description

Reporting to a Technology Director in Global Engineering Solutions (GES), the Associate Director will be part of a high performing team, accountable for implementation of projects that assist a growing portfolio of Large Molecule, Small Molecule, and Animal Health work.

The Associate Director participates in project activities ranging from business case development through the implementation of the business solution using the Capital Management stage gate process with varying degrees of responsibility and will exhibit sound leadership and exemplary partnership, communication, and vendor management skills.  They are expected to develop and maintain advanced technical knowledge in their respective area(s) of expertise.

The Associate Director brings forward strong subject matter expertise to lead studies and evaluations, determine suitability, establish direction, conduct risk assessments, define safeguards, assess operability, interface with vendors, construction, commissioning as well as operational readiness. 

The individual collaborates with other Integrated Project Team (IPT) members (e.g., Project Management, Technology, our Research & Development Division Scientists, Maintenance, Automation, Plant Operations, and Safety), Engineering Firms, and Vendors to progress deliverables. The Associate Director would be responsible for leading planning, design, and implementation of capital projects including scope generation, process & facility design, equipment selection, vendor interaction, factory acceptance testing, technology transfer, construction support, equipment qualification, facility start-up and process demonstrations.

Candidates with significant experience in engineering design (Drug Substance, Drug Product, Plant and Clean utilities), product equipment operation, vendor management, process safety and industry guidance are preferred.  Candidate should have demonstrated ability to lead a cross functional team through design and execution, while championing innovative solutions that meet the objectives of the business.  The candidate should have a strong understanding of the line of business, understand lean design and delivery, implement standard work and be able to lead technical areas from an end-to-end perspective. 

This position is based at Rahway-NJ site and requires to be at site Full-time.  Ability to travel required, with travel in excess of 25%, both domestic and international.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

This position will function as the technical/engineering process lead engineer with prior experience supporting Biologics, Vaccine and/or Sterile Projects

• Guide or assist project design efforts, providing innovative solutions that meet business goals. 

• Lead and Collaborate with cross-functional teams in the evaluation of alternative solutions and the development of project scope

• Provide technical guidance during project implementation, assure viability of technology in proposed configuration. 

• Provide support as needed for projects across the global network to drive sharing of lessons learned and drive efficiency in execution of project deliverables. 

• Lead or participate in Engineering Design review sessions. 

• Ensure that deliverables conform to our Company's standards and practices and are technically sound. 

• Liaise with other technical functions to ensure successful technology transfers of new and existing products. 

• Work with contractors, suppliers, and other team members in the execution of the work.

• Project Size is anticipated to be >$100 MM.  The position will require technical oversight to junior engineers and resources from an engineering firm and GES-Contractors.

• Leads project design efforts, providing innovative solutions that meet business objective.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• B.S. degree in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical) or Science is required.  An advanced degree in Engineering, Science, or Business is preferred.

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in a functional area, such as Process-Equipment Engineering Design, Technical Operations, Single Use Technology and Operation Maintenance.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in Pharmaceutical/Biotech industry in engineering or manufacturing.

• 5+ years engineering or operations experience related to vaccines or biologics

• Experience with an equipment life cycle approach including specification, selection, testing & commissioning, troubleshooting and qualification.

• Understanding of hygienic design and unit operations specific to vaccine/biologic manufacturing and aseptic processing

• Experience with capital projects that followed a stage gate capital management process

• Excellent collaboration and engagement as a team player with dependable interpersonal and communication skills

• Analytical and problem-solving skills

• Project/time management skills which deliver on time and quality work

• Core knowledge should include specification of unit operations, P&ID development, Hazard Analysis, equipment operation, commissioning & qualification

• Familiar and experience with chemical handling, biosafety (BSL-2&3), OEB4/5 liquid/solid handling containment approaches in terms of solution development

• Work independently and meet timelines in a fast-paced team-based environment.

• Strong self-motivation; proactive, high-energy, "can do" work ethic; ability to handle potentially stressful situations with a positive attitude

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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:

Relocation:

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Travel Requirements:

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