Contractor Liaison / Mechanical Coordinator (On-site)
Merck
Summary
The Enabling Facilities group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to work in a fast-paced job that provides a high degree of practical technical, mechanical and planning responsibility. The Contractor Liaison / Mechanical Coordinator position will report to the Associate Director, Engineering and will be a member of the Equipment Development and Facility Engineering team at the Rahway NJ facility.
Job description
Role Summary
The Enabling Facilities group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to work in a fast-paced job that provides a high degree of practical technical, mechanical and planning responsibility. The Contractor Liaison / Mechanical Coordinator position will report to the Associate Director, Engineering and will be a member of the Equipment Development and Facility Engineering team at the Rahway NJ facility.
Responsibilities
This role at the Specialist level will serve as a team member supporting the Modality Agnostic Chemistry Scaleup (MACS) Center, a new potent, multi-modality Drug Substance development and GMP clinical manufacturing plant currently being constructed in Rahway, New Jersey. The Specialist will contribute to completing the capital project by supporting construction close-out, equipment and facility commissioning/qualification, and other critical operations readiness workstreams, and will support the facility's operations after start-up in 2027.
Upon start-up, the selected candidate will lead the daily mechanical activities and be responsible for the planning, execution and supervision of preventative and corrective maintenance, facility improvements and yearly shutdown/turnaround efforts executed primarily by 3rd party contractors/vendors. This role additionally includes managing the contractor safety/management program for the MACS Center in compliance with company guidelines.
Daily Activities
- Prioritization of mechanical work to meet the timelines of the business
- Managing external vendors and ensuring compliance with global and site safety procedures regarding 3rd Party contractor management (sourcing, qualifying, training and work oversight)
- Issuing hazardous permits including line breaks, Class A & B hot work, elevated work, roof access and confined space entry
- Lockout/Tagout and Energy Control Procedure implementation and development
- Troubleshooting and supporting emergency repairs
- Guiding routine preventative maintenance and equipment calibrations
- Partnering with other Equipment Development and Facility Engineering Mechanical Coordinators supporting other components of the MACS Center strategic maintenance plan
- Process Equipment set-up and re-qualifications
- Supporting the design and execution of small expense and capital facility modifications
- Materials sourcing and coordinating with procurement
- Interaction with Computerized Maintenance Management System applications
Additional Supported Areas
The Specialist may also support new and/or existing facilities across the Small Molecule Process Research & Development network and Enabling Facilities capital projects as required, including the Small Scale Organics Pilot Plant (SSO) and the Prep Lab Area.
Requirements
- BS in Engineering
- 3+ years' experience consisting of a mix of Project Engineering / Contractor Management in Pharmaceuticals, Chemical, Petrochemical, Food Processing/Manufacturing or other highly regulated environment
- Strong mechanical aptitude
- Maintenance, field engineer, project engineer or supervisor experience in chemical or manufacturing environments
- History interacting with skilled trades (Piping, Electrical, Millwrights, Instrumentation, 3rd party contractors and vendors)
- Ability to read and understand P&IDs and technical/mechanical diagrams
- Familiarity with Change Management and Compliance processes and principles
- Excellent organizational skills with an ability to multi-task
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written
- Collaborative mindset
- Desire and willingness to learn, contribute and lead
- Track-record of independent problem-solving
- Fluent in Microsoft Office, use of email
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Retirement Benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate Leave
- Sick Days
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
Company overview
Merck & Co., Inc., known as Merck in the United States and Canada and MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) internationally, is a premier American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891 as the U.S. subsidiary of the German Merck Group, the company became independent following World War I and has since grown into one of the world's largest biomedical companies, ranking fourth globally by revenue. Merck operates across three core business segments: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health products. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking research and development, having brought numerous life-saving medicines to market including Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a leading immunotherapy for cancer treatment that generated $29.5 billion in 2024 revenue, and Gardasil, a revolutionary HPV vaccine. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide, Merck maintains a robust pipeline of innovative therapies focused on oncology, vaccines, hospital acute care, cardiology, neuroscience, virology, immunology, and diabetes. The company invests heavily in R&D, spending $17.9 billion in 2024 alone, demonstrating its commitment to advancing scientific discovery. Merck's legacy spans over 130 years of bringing hope to humanity through important medicines and vaccines, operating with a purpose to use leading-edge science to save and improve lives globally while fostering an inclusive workforce and responsible business practices.