Specialist, Automation Engineer (Onsite)
Merck
Summary
The Enabling Facilities (EF) group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development (CERD) Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to work in a fast-paced job that provides both technical and project management responsibility. The Specialist – Automation Engineer position will report to the Director, Engineering, Automation Lead position and will be a member of the EF Team in the Rahway NJ facility.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Serve as technical resource to support new and/or existing facilities across the Small Molecule Process Research & Development (SM PR&D) network, primarily supporting the Protein Engineering Microbial Infrastructure (PEMI) Project.
- Support PEMI design, startup, and commissioning, including integration of the PEMI SCADA system (Ignition-based platform) performing data acquisition and orchestrating flexible batches/experiments on OEM equipment (Sartorius AMBR250, Getinge Fermenters/Bioreactors, TFF, Lyophilizers & Containment Isolators, Homogenizers, Mixing tanks, Raman PAT integrations).
- Contribute to automation scope and Ignition software design, system commissioning, and other critical activities to enable facility startup and operational readiness.
- Troubleshoot automation and instrumentation issues, perform root cause analyses, and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve reliability, safety, and operational effectiveness.
- Manage system patches, firmware upgrades, backup and restore strategies, and cybersecurity hardening activities aligned with corporate IT policies.
- Ensure robust data integrity and audit trails that support operational requirements.
- Support capital projects involving design, installation, and commissioning of new equipment, including preparation, review, and execution of test documentation.
- Provide on-call support as part of the facility operations rotation.
- Collaborate closely with Operations, Maintenance, and IT teams to align automation solutions with uptime, safety, sustainability, and efficiency objectives.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives, including standardization, modular code libraries, alarm rationalization, and enhanced diagnostics and monitoring for utility equipment.
Additional Supported Areas
The Specialist may provide direct support to other areas such as GMP-capable Process Chemistry / Prep Lab facility (Siemens PLC controlled Lyophilizer, Isolator HMIs, SCADA interfaces), Small Scale Organics Pilot Plant (Emerson DeltaV DCS), and Hazardous Reactions Lab (GE PLC 90-30, Intellution iFix, OSI PI).
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Engineering, Science, or Computer-Science or related technical discipline
- Minimum of 3 years of progressive automation or process control experience in a regulated GxP environment (biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals or medical devices)
- Proven technical proficiency with industrial PLC, HMI, and SCADA platforms (e.g., Rockwell and/or Siemens)
- Experience with SCADA systems
- Experience with AVEVA PI System or comparable historian platforms
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, including experience with root cause analysis
- Ability to prepare and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and cGMP documentation
- Experience working with Quality Systems
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Demonstrated willingness to learn, grow, and contribute to team objectives
- Knowledge of automation-related components, including wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, and system integration
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams
- Strong analytical thinking and technical writing skills
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite and document management systems
- Ability to foster innovation, creativity, and initiative while effectively planning and organizing activities
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Retirement Benefits
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- 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.