Device Technical Operations Co-op - Device Development & Technology

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features Co-ops that last up to six (6) months and will include one or more projects.  These opportunities in our Research Labs can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals. 

The Pharmaceutical Sciences & Device Development (PSDD) organization is a Global R&D division of our Research Labs which is responsible for translating therapeutic agents into functional drug & combination products that are optimized for patients’ benefit. The mission of the Device Development & Technology (DD&T) group (within PSDD) is to discover, develop and commercialize superior inhaled, nasal and parenteral medical delivery devices supporting vaccines, biologics and small molecules requiring challenging and unique delivery routes.

We are seeking Co-op candidates with strong academic performance, communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work in a multi- functional environment. The Co-ops will participate in departmental and project team meetings to provide a broad perspective on the drug development process in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, the Co-op student will have an opportunity to present their research results in both oral and written formats. During your Co-op appointment you will work closely with & be mentored by an experienced pharmaceutical industry scientist on a research project or projects. We have one (1) Co-op position for 2027 at our Wilson, N.C. site which will focus on device & combination product production and processing development technology.

This is a full-time Co-op position.  

Position Qualifications:

Requirements for Device & Combination Product Device Technical Operations Co-op:

• Must be enrolled in a college/institution and pursuing a degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Design, or equivalent field (B.S. and M.S. candidates are strongly preferred).

• Availability for up to a 6-month Co-op at Wilson N.C. site

• Solid medical device and/or combination product testing knowledge

• Strong understanding of basic engineering skills and scientific principles

• Fundamental analytical characterization skills, i.e. test method development, data analysis & result interpretation

• Experience with mechanical testing, imaging, and measurement equipment and techniques. Including, but not limited to, tensile/compression testing, surface characterization, material testing, x-ray computed tomography, rheometry, and microscopy.
• Excellent collaboration, ideation, and prototyping skills, including developing proof of concepts, working prototypes and conducting functional testing.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling & 2D drawing creation (e.g. Solidworks, AutoCAD etc)
• Awareness of geometric dimensioning & tolerancing and stack-up analysis.
• Basic understanding of various plastics processing and manufacturing processes & automation equipment, including injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding
• Fluency in finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). 
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, formal presentation) and proven ability to collaborate with and across various multidisciplinary teams within the organization 
• Knowledge of medical devices, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or similar regulated industry, is a significant plus

Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.

Salary range:
The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111

FTP2027

RL2027

Required Skills:

Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Clinical Research, Cloud Data Catalog, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Concept Development, Extrusions, Manufacturing Processes

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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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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.

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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. 

Employee Status:

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

11/27/2026

*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.