Senior Specialist, DDT–Lab Automation, Lab Automation / Controls Engineer (SCADA/Ignition) (Onsite)

Job Description

We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a portfolio of prescription medicines, oncology, vaccines and animal health products. We are driven by our purpose to develop and deliver innovative products that save and improve lives. With 69,000 employees operating in more than 140 countries, we offer state-of-the-art laboratories, plants and offices that are designed to inspire our employees as we learn, develop and grow in our careers.  We are proud of our over 125 years of service to humanity and continue to be one of the world’s biggest investors in Research & Development.

In the Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) organization, we believe digital is the force multiplier that enables faster experiments, smarter decisions, more robust supply chains, and is ultimately redefining how we bring medicines to patients.

Within DSCS, the DSCS Digital Technologies (DDT) team is building the next generation of data-rich, connected lab environments—where hardware, software, and AI-driven tools work together to accelerate pharmaceutical development. Our goal is simple but ambitious: embed advanced digital capabilities into the DNA of how we work. We believe this future starts with an effective foundation of laboratory tools: innovative robotics, process analytical technology (PAT), high-throughput technologies, reliable instrumentation, and integrated systems that seamlessly transition data from the physical labs to the digital world. We believe innovation is fueled by different teams that come together to build technologies that truly impact how our scientists conduct research. We’re looking for a Senior Specialist to help make this vision real.

We are seeking a Senior Specialist, Laboratory Automation / Controls Engineer to join our Lab Automation team in Rahway, NJ. In this role, the candidate will help us execute towards our goal of automated and connected laboratories through the utilization and deployment of laboratory SCADA systems and orchestration platforms. The candidate will leverage industry standard and emerging technologies such as Ignition in concert with operational technologies to enable integration, orchestration, and visualization of laboratory systems and workflows. This position will work collaboratively across laboratory automation, digital engineering, and IT teams to independently own and deliver technical solutions connecting laboratory equipment, automation systems, and data pipelines into cohesive, scalable solutions aligned with our future vision.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Build the digital backbone of automated laboratories by independently designing and developing SCADA-based (e.g. Ignition) solutions that connect equipment, workflows, and data into cohesive systems
• Translate scientific workflows into scalable systems by assessing requirements, leading standard project work, and partnering with researchers and automation engineers to deliver robust digital implementations
• Develop across the operations technology platform stack by owning solution design and implementation across back-end architecture (in collaboration with IT), equipment modules, user interfaces, and orchestration logic
• Solve complex integration challenges by applying systems-level thinking and identifying innovative solutions across software, automation, and laboratory workflows
• Connect the ecosystem by leading integration of instruments, automation platforms, and data systems to enable end-to-end digital workflows
• Continuously improve platform capabilities by recommending and implementing improvements to architecture, performance, reliability, usability, and maintainability
• Empower the organization by coaching and mentoring colleagues and establishing laboratory SCADA and orchestration development standards and best practices
• Build for sustainability by establishing clear documentation and reusable design patterns that support long-term scalability
• Lead implementation of standard laboratory SCADA and orchestration projects, managing technical scope, priorities, stakeholder coordination, and delivery with minimal guidance

Education Minimum Requirement:

• A B.S. in Engineering (i.e. Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical), Computer Science, Robotics, Mechatronics, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a closely related field with at least 4 years of relevant experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience designing and deploying production solutions using SCADA or orchestration software (Ignition, DeltaV, WinCC OA, etc)
• Demonstrated automation experience supporting process development or production of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, or relevant life-sciences
• Experience defining and applying scripting/programming approaches that follow accepted best practices, including version control, design patterns, and clean code
• Demonstrated ability to independently deliver automation solutions with minimal guidance and lead standard workstreams on cross-functional teams
• Effective scientific collaboration and communication skills with the ability to assess requirements, guide technical decisions, and navigate conversations with end-users, technicians, and vendors

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with scripting/programming in one or more of the following: Python, C#, VBA, JavaScript, R
• Experience with automation edge devices and controllers (PLC, microcontrollers, etc)
• Ability to recognize, prototype, and deploy innovative technologies in laboratory automation
• Understanding of data science and AI/ML concepts and their application to automation systems
• Understanding of (bio)pharmaceutical process research and development, drug product development, and/ or analytical development
• Experience with manufacturing equipment, process control, tuning, networking, data analysis
• Motivated to learn new skills, willingness to take on new challenges, and scientific curiosity
• Deep interest and desire to understand how systems work. Self-proclaimed maker, builder, tinkerer
• Understanding of IT networking: system architecture, infrastructure integration, and deployment approaches
• Demonstrated experience owning delivery of complete automation or integration solutions from requirements through deployment

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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:

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The salary range for this role is

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

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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. 

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