Elkton GES Associate Director, Project Engineering

Merck & Co. • Elkton, VA

39d • Onsite

About The Position

Our company's Global Engineering Solutions (GES) is seeking an initiative-taking Associate Director of Project Engineering to manage capital projects supporting our human health pharmaceutical manufacturing portfolio. The Associate Director will lead a wide range of projects and collaborate closely with Site Leadership, contractors, Safety, Design, Quality, and Maintenance teams. This on-site role is based in Elkton, Virginia, and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant investments in our company's human health manufacturing infrastructure in the United States. You will work alongside top-tier engineering, construction, and operational teams to deliver world-class capabilities. About the Project Our company is launching a major capital expansion at its Elkton, Virginia, site, a Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. This $3 billion investment will add approximately 400,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities, spanning both Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and Drug Product capabilities to support small molecule manufacturing and testing. This expansion advances our mission to deliver innovative treatment options for people facing serious health challenges in the U.S. and around the world.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering
• Minimum of eight (8) years of project management experience, overseeing diverse capital projects from design through to construction, commissioning, and close out.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to present project status and funding clearly and effectively.
• Understanding of cGMP and regulatory qualification requirements.
• Proven ability to navigate complex challenges, manage change, and drive project success under tight deadlines.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment that prioritizes business needs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Lean Project Delivery methodologies such as Target Value Design and pull planning.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing experience (drug substance, drug product, labs, large and small molecule, utilities.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects: Plan, direct, and organize resources for capital budgeting, engineering design, procurement, construction management, startup, and commissioning of new or enhanced facilities and utilities.
• EHS leadership: Champion a strong safety culture; ensure projects meet or exceed company EHS targets. Process and Construction Safety.
• Compliance and Quality: Ensure adherence to company Standards and Procedures, and the Quality Manual; Oversee effective QA/QC programs.
• Drive team success : Manage integrated project teams to deliver critical assets on time and within budget; foster collaboration with our company's Leadership, Site Stakeholders, Partners, and cross‑functional teams.
• Innovate and Deliver: Develop robust execution and design strategies that address scope, complexity, geography, risk, and business impact; apply Lean Project Delivery and Target Value Delivery to align scope, cost, and value.
• Governance : Lead Capital Governance; run safety and staff meetings; ensure scope control and alignment to business goals; lead funding reviews and stakeholder alignment.
• Risk management: Maintain portfolio risk registers; drive mitigations; integrate compliance, permitting, and logistics risks; guide teams to simple, robust solutions.
• Change management : Enforce governance for scope, cost, and schedule changes; manage approvals and communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communication : Manage communications and reporting to keep stakeholders informed and aligned; communicate effectively at all levels.
• People leadership: Manage and coach team members; set clear business priorities and behavior expectations.
• Industry breadth: Apply broad biopharma experience: drug substance, drug product, large and small molecule, utilities.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees