Assoc. Dir., Technical Project Management

Merck•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

5d•$142,400 - $224,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Technical Project Management (TPM) is responsible for delivering digital, automation, and data integration scope across complex capital projects and strategic initiatives within the Digital Manufacturing Division MVT portfolio. This role ensures the reliable, compliant, and scalable implementation of process automation and manufacturing digital systems that support facility startup, operational readiness, and sustained manufacturing performance. The TPM leads complex project scopes, programs, or workstreams across the full project lifecycle, embedding automation architecture, data integrity, cybersecurity, and validation requirements into project execution. This role works closely with Engineering, Automation, IT, Quality, Manufacturing Operations, and external partners to deliver robust, compliant solutions aligned with cGMP, data integrity, and lifecycle management best practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline, plus a minimum of 10+ years of relevant technical support, engineering, manufacturing automation, or project leadership experience, or equivalent related experience.
Experience supporting delivery of automation or digital scope within pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environments.
Working knowledge of automation systems (DeltaV, PLC/SCADA) and manufacturing digital platforms (MES, historians, data integration).
Demonstrated ability to manage project scope, schedule, deliverables, and cross-functional coordination across complex programs and stakeholder groups.
Business Alignment
Business Decisions
Delivery Management
Measurement Analysis
Portfolio, Programme, and Project Support
Program Delivery Management
Program Management
Project Delivery
Project Development
Project Implementations
Project Management
Project Management Governance
Project Planning
Project Risk Management
Project Scoping
Project Tracking
Requirements Specification
Risk Avoidance
Risk Management
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Status Reporting
Strategic Objectives
System Integration
Technical Analysis

Nice To Haves

Preferred Skills

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end delivery of digital and automation scope across capital project phases, including FEL, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and qualification for large-scale and business-critical initiatives.
Manage scope, schedule, cost, risks, and dependencies to ensure alignment with project objectives, milestones, and strategic business priorities.
Monitor project performance and proactively identify and resolve complex technical, organizational, and execution challenges impacting delivery.
Deliver process automation, MES, and data integration solutions, including DCS, PLC-based platforms, historians, and reporting/analytics tools.
Support development of user requirements, functional/design specifications, and validation deliverables.
Ensure technical solutions meet quality, data integrity, cybersecurity, and lifecycle management requirements while aligning with enterprise standards and long-term supportability objectives.
Coordinate system integration across automation platforms, OEM equipment, and enterprise data systems across multiple stakeholders and technology domains.
Support FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, and qualification of automation systems.
Partner with Engineering, Automation, IT, Quality, Operations, vendors, and system integrators to support aligned execution across complex project environments.
Support stage-gate governance, project reviews, and accurate status reporting to stakeholders and leadership.
Ensure systems are delivered in a validated, compliant state and support readiness for startup and transition to operations.
Operate within established governance frameworks while independently driving day-to-day execution and strategic decision-making.
Escalate complex risks, cross-project impacts, and constraints as needed and drive mitigation strategies to resolution.
Apply technical judgment, structured problem-solving, and root cause analysis to resolve high-impact business and technical issues.
Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to project teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.