Senior Specialist, Engineering

Job Description

Our Animal Health Division is investing $895 million in expanding our manufacturing and research & development facilities in De Soto, Kansas — the state’s largest economic development project to date. You will join a world-class team at our Center of Excellence in the Animal Health Corridor, contributing directly to the production of veterinary products that improve animal health and welfare globally.

As a Senior Specialist of Engineering, you will serve as a hands-on SME supporting the expansion and long-term operation of a new manufacturing facility. You will contribute to facility startup, commissioning, qualification, troubleshooting, procedure development, and operational readiness while partnering closely with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as subject matter expert for critical systems including Aseptic Filling Lines, Freeze Dryers, HVAC and Utilities equipment related to the manufacturing process.
• Support the design and construction of the new pharmaceutical filling and lyophilization at the De Soto site.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for equipment.
• Support the commissioning and qualification of the facility.  Work closely with internal stakeholders, equipment suppliers, and contractors to ensure a timely and compliant startup.
• Troubleshoot and optimize equipment and systems during the startup and ongoing site operation. 
• Assist with training department staff on equipment and systems.
• Author Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Preventive Maintenance plans.
• Partner with Maintenance and Operations to identify opportunities to improve system reliability, maintenance practices, and operational efficiency.
• Support regulatory audits and inspections, addressing CQV and engineering-related questions.
• Actively foster a strong safety culture by consistently modeling proper procedures, policies, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Additional duties as assigned

  

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.

  

Required Experience and Skills

• Five (5) years of experience working in manufacturing and/or engineering ; within regulated environments.
• Progressive experience with mechanical systems and equipment and refrigeration
• Experience developing process procedures for process equipment
• Strong technical aptitude with proven problem‑solving skills.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Self‑starter who works effectively with minimal guidance, demonstrates strong follow‑through, and proactively identifies solutions to support team success.
• Collaborative nature with strong team building skills. Able to learn from and accept guidance from others.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks, prioritize effectively, and consistently deliver high‑quality results.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Relevant design, facilities and/or manufacturing Engineering work experience.
• Experience supporting the startup of large-scale projects and/or facilities.
• Understanding of cGMP and experience in USDA or FDA work environments.
• Knowledge of Lyophilization, Filling Lines and aseptic manufacturing practices.
• Consistent demonstration of strong collaboration, independent leadership, communication, interpersonal skills, and teamwork
• Experience with managing multi-discipline projects.

Schedule Requirements

• Able to work Day shift, Monday through Friday as base schedule
• Off-shift coverage may be required during periods of equipment startup or troubleshooting.
• Must be willing to travel to equipment suppliers for acceptance testing (FAT’s) during construction phase of the project.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Equipment Engineering, GMP Compliance, HVAC Equipment, HVAC Systems, Maintenance Supervision, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Equipment, Mechanical Engineering, Process Equipment, Process Equipment Design, Refrigeration Engineering, Startup Operations, Sterile Manufacturing, Teamwork, Troubleshooting

Preferred Skills:

Aseptic Filling, Aseptic Manufacturing, cGMP Documentation, cGMP Guidelines, cGMP Regulations, Fill and Finish, Packaging Lines, USDA Regulations

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.

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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:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

07/23/2026

*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.