Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Job Description

At our company, we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Join our manufacturing division and be part of a team that values integrity, precision, accomplishment, motivational ambition, respect, and inclusion.

The Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer is responsible for day-to-day operations support activities for process control systems in a vaccine manufacturing facility.

The automation technologies may include but are not limited to the following technologies: Distributed Control Systems (Delta V), Programmable Logic Controllers (Allen Bradley), OEM systems to include Washers, Autoclaves, Filter Integrity Testers, and purified water systems (WFI/Clean Steam). 

Responsibilities

• Understand and support all GMPs, safety, and environmental regulations
• Perform system upgrades, troubleshooting issues, identify trends, monitor processes, administer systems, update documentation, query data, train operators, and participate in deviation investigations
• Ensure automation documents, preventive maintenance, periodic reviews, and SOPs are in an inspection-ready state
• Support process automation inquiries during internal and external audits/inspections and speak knowledgeably about automation, process, and cGMP details of the manufacturing operations
• Evaluate automated and information technology systems and develop strategies to optimize and ensure the quality and stability of automation systems through future expansion, replacement, or upgrade
• Use technical knowledge to ensure the efficient operation of a variety of automated processing and information technology systems
• Lead in installation and qualification of new equipment into operations
• Develop solutions for automation problems
• Participate and contribute to investigations of automation anomalies to prevent recurrence, including on-the-floor support of manufacturing activities
• Lead in the development of technical requirements, considering associated technology needs, benefits, and risks
• Analyze complex business requirements using tools and techniques and identify internal/external solutions to meet these requirements
• Lead in developing control strategies and applying computerized tools to deliver tangible improvements to overall production unit performance
• Communicate daily with business, technical, and quality representatives within the area of support through the tier process
• On call support: Provide off-site weekend/evening automation phone or on-site support on a rotational basis
• Familiar with lean manufacturing principles with an ability to convert business logic and requirements into detailed system requirements
• Required to start M-F every day on site for 6 months, then 3 days on site and 2 days off site.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Information Technology, or other relevant discipline
• Six (6) years in process automation or relevant experience
• Experience in Automation Platforms such as DCS's (DeltaV), PLCs (Allen Bradley, Siemens), SCADA, OSI PI, Batch Reporting (Informetric Info Batch)

Preferred

• Experience with Computer System Validation

Required Skills:

Auditing (Inactive) (Inactive), Automation Architecture, Automation Systems, Automation Systems Design, Business Process Improvements, Data Management, Data Query, DeltaV Batch, Distributed Control System (DCS), Intelligent Automation (IA), Issue Management, Lean Product Development, Motivation Management, PLC Logic, Preventive Maintenance, Process Automations, Quality Management, Real-Time Programming, Software Development, Troubleshooting, Water Purification

Preferred Skills:

Advanced Process Control, Advanced Process Control, Aeronautics, Automation Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Business Case Analyses, Business Management, Business Process Analysis, Business Process Development, Business Process Modeling, cGMP Regulations, Electronics Engineering Technology, Engineering Technology, Geotechnical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, Information Technology Management, Information Technology Strategies, IT Automation, IT Infrastructure Operations, Job Placement, Lean Management, Lean Manufacturing, Maintenance Strategy {+ 19 more}

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/11/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.