Associate Specialist - Equipment Design and Facilities Engineering (Onsite)
MSD
Summary
The Chemical Engineering Research & Development department is seeking an engineering associate specialist for the Equipment Development Facilities Engineering team to primarily act as a maintenance team member supporting the API Development facilities, including the 800 Prep Lab, as well as potent development labs in Bldg. 800, 818, and 80R. These are potent, multi-modality (small molecule, macrocyclic peptides, bioconjugates) Drug Substance development and GMP clinical manufacturing facilities located in Rahway, New Jersey.
Job description
Role Summary
The Chemical Engineering Research & Development department is seeking an engineering associate specialist for the Equipment Development Facilities Engineering team to primarily act as a maintenance team member supporting the API Development facilities, including the 800 Prep Lab, as well as potent development labs in Bldg. 800, 818, and 80R. These are potent, multi-modality (small molecule, macrocyclic peptides, bioconjugates) Drug Substance development and GMP clinical manufacturing facilities located in Rahway, New Jersey.
Key Functions
- Maintain lab and utility equipment by developing and executing maintenance strategies
- Perform day-to-day technical oversight of both internal and 3rd party maintenance teams
- Work with lab process teams to support planning, scheduling and execution of routine corrective/preventive maintenance and facility annual shutdown activities
- Demonstrate a strong compliance mindset through application of learned knowledge of cGMP and Safety requirements
- Support asset compliance, status and disposition via use of computerized maintenance software
- Interact with Quality groups to support audits, qualify equipment and maintain readiness to perform GMP work
- Build expertise to ensure effective, safe, and compliant equipment/process setups with line of sight to the Pilot Plants
- Leverage learned knowledge to support equipment troubleshooting efforts
- Execute equipment reliability initiatives, facility improvement projects, and new technology implementation in support of development pipeline programs (typically $10K to <$1MM scale)
- Support and build skills for incident root cause analysis, including documentation, reporting, and action item management
Education and Experience Minimum Requirements
BS in Engineering with 1+ years of experience in Facility Maintenance and/or Project Management.
Required Experience and Skills
- Strong mechanical aptitude
- Demonstrable knowledge of facilities and equipment from an operations and maintenance perspective
- Familiarity with Process Flow Diagrams and/or mechanical drawings
- Effective communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to gather data, evaluate potential options and make recommendations to support decision making
- Ability to learn, contribute and in some cases lead problem-solving efforts
- Fluent in Microsoft Office, use of email and meeting facilitation
Desired Experience and Skills
- Knowledge of Change Management processes and principles
- Experience interacting with skilled trades (Piping, Electrical, Millwrights, Instrumentation, 3rd party contractors and vendors)
- Maintenance experience in GMP environments, including familiarity with US and EU Safety and GMP compliance regulations
- Experience operating/maintaining lab scale equipment
- Ability to read and understand P&IDs
- Experience with Potent Compound processing and containment systems (e.g., isolators), or clean room facilities
- Trained in use of Hexagon EAM for Plant Maintenance and SAP for Financial Business Systems management
- Experience with Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
- Familiarity with Electrical Classifications for solvent and dust (Class I and II, Div I and II)
- Experience working in a facility governed by Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and/or cGMP documents
- Experience with high-risk work including Lockout/Tagout, Hazardous Energy Control, Elevated Work, and Confined Space Entry
Requirements
- BS in Engineering
- 1+ years of experience in Facility Maintenance and/or Project Management
- Strong mechanical aptitude
- Knowledge of facilities and equipment from an operations and maintenance perspective
- Familiarity with Process Flow Diagrams and/or mechanical drawings
- Effective communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to gather data, evaluate options and make recommendations
- Ability to learn, contribute and lead problem-solving efforts
- Fluent in Microsoft Office, email and meeting facilitation
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Retirement Benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate Leave
- Sick Days
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
Company overview
MSD, known as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the United States and Canada, is a global research-intensive biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891, the company has established itself as one of the world's leading pharmaceutical corporations with a rich history spanning over 130 years. MSD operates as the international division of Merck & Co., Inc., focusing on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of innovative medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products. The company's extensive portfolio includes groundbreaking treatments in oncology, infectious diseases, cardiology, diabetes, and vaccines, with notable products such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for cancer immunotherapy, Gardasil for HPV prevention, and Januvia for diabetes management. MSD maintains a strong commitment to research and development, investing significantly in scientific innovation to address unmet medical needs worldwide. With approximately 75,000 employees globally, the company operates through four main segments: pharmaceuticals, animal health, healthcare services, and strategic alliances. MSD's mission centers on using leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world, guided by the principle that medicine is for people, not profits.