Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation Engineer (On-Site)
Merck
4 months ago
On-site
Rahway, NJ
Operations
Key Responsibilities
- Troubleshoot automation and instrumentation issues; perform root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions to improve reliability, safety, and energy performance.
- Develop deployment strategies for various facility systems.
- Manage system patches, firmware upgrades, backup/restore strategies, and cybersecurity hardening aligned with corporate policies.
- Ensure robust data integrity and audit trails suitable for operations.
- Serve as a technical lead for capital projects: design, install, and commission new equipment; write/review/execute test documents.
- Provide on-call support rotation for facility operations as needed.
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and IT to align automation solutions with uptime, safety, sustainability, and efficiency goals.
- Support continuous improvement: standardization, modular code libraries, alarm rationalization, and enhanced diagnostics/monitoring for utilities equipment.
Additional Supported Areas (as required)
- Small Scale Organics Pilot Plant (SSO) support (Emerson DeltaV; GMP clinical manufacture and scale-up for small molecules).
- Hazardous Reactions Lab (HRL/Bldg. 801) support (GE PLC 90-30, Genius I/O, iFix-based interface).
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Engineering, Science, or Computer-Programming related degree with minimum 8 years relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience.
Required Experience & Skills
- Pharmaceutical operations experience in a GMP pilot plant/manufacturing environment or related facility.
- Ability to understand, update, design, and implement code modifications in DeltaV or PLC-based systems (Rockwell).
- Experience with automation system design, startup and/or qualification.
- Experience providing project-level direction to contractors and/or third-party vendor staff.
- Knowledge of automation details (wiring, electrical, device selection, and integration).
- Strong troubleshooting/root cause analysis.
- Ability to prepare SOPs and cGMP documents.
- Experience with Quality Systems; supporting compliance investigations and change management.
- Familiarity with US and EU GMP and safety compliance regulations.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills; strong organizational, analytical, and technical writing skills.
- Proficient in MS Office and document storage systems; innovation/self-initiative.
- Project management experience; ability to lead larger teams in complex solutions/problem resolution.
- Ability to work independently and in a cross-functional team.
Desired Experience & Skills
- DeltaV Live/Batch, Charms I/O, and wireless technologies; PID tuning.
- OPC and Modbus interfaces.
- Control systems knowledge including Rockwell and Siemens; control systems SME.
- Object-oriented programming; IT systems/automation-IT integration.
- Networking experience (enterprise networking and local control networks).
- Technical mentorship/training experience.
- Coordinating maintenance activities to support reliable facility operation.
- Experience with PHA and/or LOPA.
Required Skills
- Audit management; automation engineering and systems integration; automation systems design; business process improvements; data integrity/management; deployment management; Emerson DeltaV; equipment monitoring; GMP compliance; networks; pilot plant operations; PLC programming; problem management; production process development; quality management; real-time programming; Rockwell Automation software; SDLC; systems troubleshooting.
Benefits (if applicable in posting body)
- Eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
Application Instructions
- Apply through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if a current employee). Application deadline is stated on the posting.
- Troubleshoot automation and instrumentation issues; perform root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions to improve reliability, safety, and energy performance.
- Develop deployment strategies for various facility systems.
- Manage system patches, firmware upgrades, backup/restore strategies, and cybersecurity hardening aligned with corporate policies.
- Ensure robust data integrity and audit trails suitable for operations.
- Serve as a technical lead for capital projects: design, install, and commission new equipment; write/review/execute test documents.
- Provide on-call support rotation for facility operations as needed.
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and IT to align automation solutions with uptime, safety, sustainability, and efficiency goals.
- Support continuous improvement: standardization, modular code libraries, alarm rationalization, and enhanced diagnostics/monitoring for utilities equipment.
Additional Supported Areas (as required)
- Small Scale Organics Pilot Plant (SSO) support (Emerson DeltaV; GMP clinical manufacture and scale-up for small molecules).
- Hazardous Reactions Lab (HRL/Bldg. 801) support (GE PLC 90-30, Genius I/O, iFix-based interface).
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Engineering, Science, or Computer-Programming related degree with minimum 8 years relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience.
Required Experience & Skills
- Pharmaceutical operations experience in a GMP pilot plant/manufacturing environment or related facility.
- Ability to understand, update, design, and implement code modifications in DeltaV or PLC-based systems (Rockwell).
- Experience with automation system design, startup and/or qualification.
- Experience providing project-level direction to contractors and/or third-party vendor staff.
- Knowledge of automation details (wiring, electrical, device selection, and integration).
- Strong troubleshooting/root cause analysis.
- Ability to prepare SOPs and cGMP documents.
- Experience with Quality Systems; supporting compliance investigations and change management.
- Familiarity with US and EU GMP and safety compliance regulations.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills; strong organizational, analytical, and technical writing skills.
- Proficient in MS Office and document storage systems; innovation/self-initiative.
- Project management experience; ability to lead larger teams in complex solutions/problem resolution.
- Ability to work independently and in a cross-functional team.
Desired Experience & Skills
- DeltaV Live/Batch, Charms I/O, and wireless technologies; PID tuning.
- OPC and Modbus interfaces.
- Control systems knowledge including Rockwell and Siemens; control systems SME.
- Object-oriented programming; IT systems/automation-IT integration.
- Networking experience (enterprise networking and local control networks).
- Technical mentorship/training experience.
- Coordinating maintenance activities to support reliable facility operation.
- Experience with PHA and/or LOPA.
Required Skills
- Audit management; automation engineering and systems integration; automation systems design; business process improvements; data integrity/management; deployment management; Emerson DeltaV; equipment monitoring; GMP compliance; networks; pilot plant operations; PLC programming; problem management; production process development; quality management; real-time programming; Rockwell Automation software; SDLC; systems troubleshooting.
Benefits (if applicable in posting body)
- Eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
Application Instructions
- Apply through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if a current employee). Application deadline is stated on the posting.