Director, Engineering

Job Description

Job Description:

End-to-End Technical Product Leadership:  Development and Commercialization Team (DCT) Leader Role in Small Molecule Global Science, Engineering, & Commercialization (SM GSEC)

The Director, DCT Leadership position in the Manufacturing Division is a dedicated full-time role and is accountable for leading the DCT at Line of Sight to Commercial Product Definition.  This pivotal role encompasses both technical and strategic responsibilities, as it entails guiding drug product candidates from development to launch in line with enterprise priorities.  As the DCT leader, the Technical Product Leader (TPL) in Manufacturing Division is:

• Accountable to the Development Commercialization Review Committee (DCRC) for delivering a fully integrated stage-appropriate development and commercialization strategy which yields the target commercial product. 

• Leads the cross-functional DCT, critically assessing all team deliverables & fostering a learning and collaborative environment.  Prioritizes, interrogates, and mitigates risks across all factors that may impact technical, operational & regulatory success or timelines.  Analyzes and develops innovative solutions to unforeseen circumstances.

• Responsible for end-to-end technical product leadership (TPL) and oversight of the on-time execution of DCT deliverables inclusive of robust processes & analytics, an integrated control strategy, successful tech transfer packages, filing and approval, and a robust commercial supply chain to achieve launch on time and uninterrupted long-term supply.

• Represents CMC and effectively communicates across the governance bodies, stakeholders, and team to drive outcomes/decisions through influence, advocacy, & negotiation with an enterprise mindset.  As the CMC representative, influences and challenges the xDT strategy to ensure a robust CMC strategy is achieved.  Identifies options to balance Speed/Cost/Robustness & achieve target commercial product.  

Core Competencies Required for the Role:

• Development and Commercialization Experience:  Demonstrated expertise of technical aspects and interdependencies across DS, DP, Device, Packaging, and Analytical, Regulatory, Quality, and Supply Chain from early development through to commercial manufacturing.  Deep understanding of connectivity between clinical, CMC, and HH to successfully launch a new product.

• Technical Depth and Breadth of Experience:  Recognized as a credible technical leader through demonstrated scientific excellence in at least one CMC function and ability to navigate through uncertainty to favorable outcomes.

• Strategic Thinking/Enterprise Mindset:  Understands and can articulate the “Big” picture, thinks strategically, and demonstrates a customer orientation.  Demonstrated ability to know how to ask the right questions to drive critical conversations to the best decision for the enterprise, considering options which balance speed, cost, and robustness.  Challenges team members to think beyond their area of expertise for the broader interests of the company and patients we serve.

• Problem Solving and Innovative Thinking:  Gathers and analyzes data and effectively responds to new or complex situations, developing creative and innovative solutions to solve and mitigate complex problems.  Ability to leverage scientific expertise and growth mindset to interrogate data and foster debate within teams to enable innovative and robust problem solving. 

• Ability to Navigate Ambiguity:  Able to operate and provide direction through ambiguity and adapt plans in the face of change, unexpected events, and/or new information.  Capable of both directive and consensus facilitation and awareness of when to apply each.  Leverages scientific data to make disciplined risk-based decisions and shown to be capable of discerning between risks worthy of escalation versus typical uncertainty associated with drug development, commercialization, and/or supply.

• Productive Communication:  Plans and delivers ideas and information to others in an impactful manner with proven ability to lead complex discussions, influence stakeholders, and drive outcomes in the best interest of the enterprise.  Capable of tailoring communications to diverse audiences, including governance bodies, senior leadership, team members, and individuals with diverse backgrounds.  Practitioner of active listening who consistently strives to understands others’ perspectives, concerns, and ideas.

• Collaboration and Teamwork:  Creates, leads, and sustains high performing teams, fostering an environment of open communication, enabling all team members to contribute their perspectives and collectively resolve issues.  Actively builds strong relationships with team members and key stakeholders to promote collaboration and seek robust perspectives.

• Drives Results through Accountability:  Demonstrates effective leadership of team activities to ensure on-time, end-to-end project execution and delivery.  Drives accountability within teams to follow through on commitments, provides direct feedback when individuals are not meeting expectations, and closely partners with senior leaders to deliver on priorities.

• Influence:  Ability to persuade and inspire others to take action, make decisions, or change their attitudes and behaviors.  Rapidly able to achieve trust with partners, enabling ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics to achieve their goals.

• Ownership:  Exhibits a proactive mindset, a strong sense of initiative, and the willingness to take on challenges and see them through to completion.  Fostering a culture of accountability and resiliency within the team or organization and empowering others to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities.

Education Requirements:

• B.S. /M.S. /Ph.D. in one of the relevant Engineering or Scientific fields. 

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and/or drug development, preferably a majority spent in a science and technical role.  Experience with product development and new product introduction is required.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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

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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. 

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