Specialist Engineering
MSD
Summary
As a BioTechnology Solutions (BTS) Specialist and manufacturing process engineer, you will be part of a world-class team within Animal Health, contributing directly to the production of veterinary products that improve animal health and welfare globally. The Specialist in the BTS Americas Strategic Projects team supports regional vaccine manufacturing technology assessments, transfers and associated technical activities. This individual contributor partners with Manufacturing, Quality, Process Development, Regulatory Affairs, Production Planning, Global Engineering Solutions and other stakeholders to help ensure compliant, efficient transfer execution and stable process performance at receiving sites. The role contributes to knowledge management implementation in the region, supports technical risk assessments and mitigation actions, and assists with post-transfer monitoring and continuous improvement. The Specialist may support onboarding/training activities and will escalate complex issues to senior team members as appropriate.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Support vaccine technology transfers by preparing technical inputs and documentation, coordinating readiness activities, and assisting during execution and start-up at receiving sites.
- Contribute to technical risk assessments and mitigation by gathering data, supporting fit-gap evaluations, and helping implement agreed action plans prior to transfer runs.
- Support cross-functional technical workstreams/projects that enable transfer success and improve process performance, escalating risks/issues when needed.
- Support regional knowledge management implementation for assigned processes by maintaining transfer packages, playbooks, lessons learned, and best practices; coordinate updates and promote consistent adoption across sites.
- Assist with post-transfer process robustness through monitoring/trending, troubleshooting support, and participation in investigations and continuous improvement in partnership with sites and Quality.
- Contribute to training and onboarding by maintaining training materials and delivering selected training modules, as assigned.
- Deliver compliant technical documentation and communication by drafting/reviewing protocols, reports, summaries, and trackers aligned with quality, regulatory, and internal governance expectations.
Job Requirements
Education (Minimum): Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related life science/engineering field.
Required Experience and Skills
- Minimum of 2 years experience in biopharmaceutical, antigen, or vaccine manufacturing, bioprocess engineering, process development, or technology transfer.
- Working knowledge of upstream, downstream, fill-finish and lyophilization bioprocessing operations and fundamentals of process parameters definition and control strategies.
- Experience working in a regulated (GxP) environment with strong attention to documentation and data integrity.
- Demonstrated ability to support technical problem solving, investigations, and basic risk management tools (e.g., FMEA or similar).
- Strong collaboration skills in cross-functional teams; ability to communicate clearly and escalate effectively.
- Continuous improvement mindset with good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Preferred Experience and Skills
- Exposure to process characterization, scale-up/scale-down concepts, and process robustness monitoring.
- Familiarity with USDA regulatory expectations, related to technology transfers of antigens and vaccines.
- Strong technical writing skills and comfort presenting technical content to diverse stakeholders.
- Experience supporting project teams and delivering to timeline milestones and critical goals in a matrixed environment.
- Ability to prioritize, focus on and obtain business results.
Schedule Requirements
Able to work first shift, Monday through Friday as base schedule. Off-shift coverage may be required based on manufacturing/transfer activities.
What We're Looking For
- Demonstrate execution excellence through effective problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Embrace an entrepreneurial mindset, taking initiative and ownership of their work.
- Adapt with agility and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Uphold a safety-first mindset, ensuring the well-being of themselves and their colleagues.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related life science/engineering field
- Minimum of 2 years experience in biopharmaceutical, antigen, or vaccine manufacturing, bioprocess engineering, process development, or technology transfer
- Working knowledge of upstream, downstream, fill-finish and lyophilization bioprocessing operations and fundamentals of process parameters definition and control strategies
- Experience working in a regulated (GxP) environment with strong attention to documentation and data integrity
- Demonstrated ability to support technical problem solving, investigations, and basic risk management tools (e.g., FMEA or similar)
- Strong collaboration skills in cross-functional teams; ability to communicate clearly and escalate effectively
- Continuous improvement mindset with good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Retirement benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate leave
- Sick days
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.