Technical Operations Engineer

Job Description

The Formulation, Laboratory, and Experimentation (FLEx) Center in Rahway, New Jersey, features a cutting-edge sterile drug product cGMP clinical supply manufacturing facility, known as FLEx Sterile. The FLEx Sterile facility is poised to play a pivotal role in the long-term success of delivering our clinical pipeline to patients worldwide, encompassing a diverse range of product modalities, including sterile small molecules, biologics, vaccines, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The FLEx organization has a mission to enable development of our Company’s pipeline products with speed, agility, and rigor. This mission will be accomplished by: 1) Enabling robust formulation and process development with flexible physical and digital infrastructure; 2) Delivering compliant, high quality clinical supplies; 3) Developing talents with a new operating model and promoting a growth mindset. As the facility just completed its Process Simulation execution and is officially released for clinical manufacturing, this presents an exciting opportunity for individuals eager to learn, demonstrate themselves, and grow with a rapidly expanding team.

The FLEx organization is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve the role of Senior Specialist, Technical Operations Engineer, reporting to the Technical Operations Engineering Lead. The successful candidate will support routine operations through timely troubleshooting and resolution of production equipment issues, establishment of new processes and implementation of continuous improvement projects with goals to reduce operation cycle time, errors, and costs. This individual will collaborate closely with the Production, New Product Introduction, Facilities, Equipment, Automation and Quality teams to ensure compliant, right first-time execution and timely delivery of business goals. The role is on-site, based in Rahway, NJ and will support our first shift operations. To ensure continuity of operations, occasional second-shift coverage may be required to support the second-shift team during periods of absence. Occasional weekend support may also be necessary based on business and operational needs.

Education Minimum Requirements:

• BS or MS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or related engineering field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Subject Matter Expertise in various sterile processing equipment such as automated filling lines, lyophilizers, autoclaves, part washers, isolators and etc.

• Knowledge of automation systems such as PLC, DCS, and MES.

• Knowledge of Drug Product aseptic processing techniques.

• Experience in leading and supporting quality deviation investigations and change management.

• Familiarity with United States and European Union GMP and Safety compliance regulations.

• Ability to prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and current GXP documents.

• Strong technical aptitude and critical thinking skills to effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues on the production floor.

• Demonstrated project management experience leading cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution, with a proven ability to manage scope, timelines, risks, and stakeholder expectations.

• Possess and leverages strong working knowledge of theories, practices, and procedures to train others efficiently.  Applies knowledge to improve processes.

• Familiarity with common Drug Product processing unit operations such as mixing, filtration, temperature control and etc.

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Excellent organizational skills to multi-task.

• Desire and willingness to learn, contribute and lead.

• Track-record of independent problem-solving.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience providing technical mentorship to engineers and cross-functional team members, including guidance on problem-solving, project execution, and professional development.

• Experience with Commissioning, Qualification and Validation of equipment.

• Understanding of ISA88 and ISA95 principles.

• Knowledge of Investigational drug regulatory requirements.

• Understanding of Clinical Supply Chain Operations.

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

#eligibleforERP

#PSCS

FLEx2026

Sterile2026

Required Skills:

Analytical Testing, Change Management, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, Deviation Management, Equipment Qualification, GMP Compliance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Process Improvements, Process Optimization, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Six Sigma, Strategic Thinking, Technical Problem-Solving

Preferred Skills:

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:

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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/International

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

08/27/2026

*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.