Associate Process Engineer, Technical Operations - Small Molecule Drug Substance

Merck • Elkton, VA

4d • $71,900 - $113,200 • Onsite

About The Position

We have an exciting opportunity for a Assoc. Process Engineer, Technical Operations – Drug Substance to join our growing team. At our company, we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company, using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. We are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Join a purpose-built, agile small molecule manufacturing site where your work will help bring important medicines to patients in the U.S. This facility is designed to move quickly and reliably, receiving technology transfers from commercialization sites and fast-following into production with a focus on quality, safety, and operational excellence. At our site, you’ll be part of a team committed to creating a safe, environmentally responsible, and compliant workplace where people can do their best work. We are building deep small molecule expertise in the U.S., and we want team members who are excited to grow their skills, help improve how we operate, and contribute to a site positioned for future growth. The successful candidate will provide technical support for the facility design, commissioning, qualification through technology transfer, validation and ongoing commercial manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In this role, you will work as part of a cross-functional team, initially supporting the capital project and transitioning to technology transfer and commercial manufacturing, while building technical expertise and contributing to operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree in Chemical or Process Engineering or related discipline
• Typically 1–4+ years’ experience in API manufacturing, process development, or related pharmaceutical environment
• Exposure to API processing operations and scale-up
• Understanding of cGMP manufacturing and regulatory expectations
• Experience in one or more of: Process support or development, Technology transfer, Manufacturing operations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to analyse data and make sound technical decisions
• Effective communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver quality outcomes
• Proactive, self-driven approach to continuous improvement
• Adaptability
• Applied Mathematics
• Biopharmaceutical Industry
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Biopharmaceutics
• Chemical Engineering Fundamentals
• Chemical Plant Operations
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Data Analysis
• Deviation Investigations
• Engineering Standards
• Environmental Health And Safety
• Estimation and Planning
• Field Failure Analysis
• Manufacturing Scale-Up
• Operational Excellence
• Oral Solid Dosage
• Process Changes
• Process Optimization
• Professional Engineering
• Project Manufacturing
• Site Supervision
• Teamwork
• Technical Issues

Nice To Haves

• The candidate will have an aptitude for technical problem solving, with a background in solving technical issues to obtain a positive outcome.
• The candidate will have excellent communication skills, with an aptitude of imparting and guiding complex projects across boundaries and an ability to convey and link with people at all levels of the organisation in a helpful, compliant manner.

Responsibilities

• Support the Capital Project Team, contributing to design, commissioning, qualification, and startup readiness
• Knowledge and subject matter expertise on API processing unit operations and scale up opportunities are a core part of the role, with the ability to identify and overcome constraints and tests to ensure successful demonstration of processes through piloting and validation.
• Take ownership of assigned process equipment and manufacturing processes
• Support technology transfer, and validation activities (e.g. pre-PPQ, PPQ)
• Analyse process data to support performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and improvement
• Provide on-the-floor technical support during manufacturing campaigns
• Support execution of technology transfers for new products and processes into the facility
• Partner with Commercialization and external sites to ensure effective process knowledge transfer
• Contribute to process fit assessments, scale-up readiness, and manufacturability evaluations
• Support development and review of batch documentation and process instructions
• Assist in integration of new technologies into manufacturing operations
• Identify and implement improvements in process robustness, product quality, and plant performance
• Contribute to cleaning and turnaround optimisation activities
• Assist in deviation investigations, root cause analysis, and implementation of CAPAs
• Monitor process performance, yields, and cycle times to identify improvement opportunities
• Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with cGMP, safety, and environmental standards
• participation in campaign preparation, safety and environmental reviews, batch sheet reviews
• Support campaign preparation, execution, and post-campaign review activities
• Support batch record generation, review, and ongoing optimisation
• Assist in regulatory and inspection readiness activities
• Ensure accurate documentation of process knowledge, investigations, and improvements
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and R&D teams
• Provide technical input into projects, process changes, and ongoing operations

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days
• annual bonus
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level