Specialist, Manufacturing Automation
Merck
Summary
Our Digital Manufacturing Operations Team supporting our vibrant West Point site is seeking a Process Automation Engineer Specialist to join their Team. This role will provide automation system support and expertise to enable our manufacturing division in the reliable and compliant supply of quality vaccine products to customers and patients across the globe.
Job description
Responsible for problem resolution, implementation of process control, data collection techniques, and troubleshooting in compliance with SDLC, GMP, safety, and environmental regulations. Actively support and participate in a collaborative and respectful work environment, including significant interaction with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering groups. Supports a broad spectrum of automated systems within GMP Manufacturing Operations.
General responsibilities include:
- Work independently and as a team member with integrity, precision, accomplishment, motivational ambition, respect, and inclusion
- Comply with global policies, procedures and guidelines, regulatory requirements and execute current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in day-to-day activities
- Provide automation system support and expertise to assist the manufacture of quality vaccine products to meet site priorities
- Support all automation system components of the processes including on the shop floor support of manufacturing activities
- Design, implement, test, and close-out change controls for automation related corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives
- Build relationships with functional counterparts and stakeholders to proactively identify and resolve technical issues
- Lead or participate in investigations of automation incidents and problems to prevent recurrence including development and implementation of corrective actions
- Stay current with latest automation technologies and trends and make recommendations for adoption
- Provide off-site weekend/evening automation phone or on-site support for 24/7 manufacturing operations
Skill Requirements:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with all levels of colleagues in a team environment
- Technical and operational expertise in the DeltaV DCS, Allen-Bradley PLC, SCADA
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in GMP Manufacturing - pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry
- Familiarity with Computer system validation and regulatory GXP requirements
- Aseptic processing/sterile manufacturing experience
- HMI ASi/Field/Profibus or other related technologies
- Networking, Virtual Machines, Database management and other general IT administration
- Experience with data analytics tools (e.g. Spotfire, PowerBI)
Education Requirements:
- BS in Engineering, Computer Science or related field with 2 years of experience (GMP Manufacturing and/or Manufacturing Automation)
- Or High School Diploma with 4 years of experience (GMP Manufacturing and/or Manufacturing Automation)
Requirements
- BS in Engineering, Computer Science or related field with 2 years of experience (GMP Manufacturing and/or Manufacturing Automation)
- Or High School Diploma with 4 years of experience (GMP Manufacturing and/or Manufacturing Automation)
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Technical and operational expertise in DeltaV DCS
- Technical and operational expertise in Allen-Bradley PLC
- Technical and operational expertise in SCADA
- Audit Management
- Business Process Improvements
- Data Management
- Problem Management
- Quality Management
- Real-Time Programming
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
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.