R404920 Filling Set-up Sr. Technician, Operations (Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellow)

Merk • Rahway, NJ

2d • $68,000 - $107,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This is an unpaid, 12-week Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship for active participants in the program who are transitioning service members and will complete the fellowship within the last 180 days of transition from military service. It is aligned with DoD SkillBridge guidelines and is not an offer of employment; participants are not eligible for employment benefits. The role is based 100% onsite at the Formulation, Laboratory, and Experimentation (FLEx) Center in Rahway, New Jersey, supporting R&D Operations and the FLEx-Sterile team’s drug product development and GMP clinical supply of sterile dosage forms.

The fellow will perform hands-on filling activities, including sterile filling, lyophilization, and capping. Work includes setting up filling lines, executing machinability runs, making simple adjustments, and supporting smooth GMP processing. The role partners with formulation development colleagues to improve process understanding and capture knowledge, and may provide feedback on product and process development. It also involves equipment commissioning, qualification, and demonstration activities, and collaboration with formulators, engineers, Quality, Safety, Facilities, Production, and EHS.

The position requires adherence to GMP procedures and SOPs, careful completion of documentation, proficiency with electronic systems, and participation in continuous improvement. Overtime is expected for manufacturing support processes, particularly during shutdowns or emergency repairs. The posting also describes an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable, and a comprehensive benefits package for employment; however, fellowship participants are explicitly ineligible for employment benefits.

Requirements

• High school diploma/GED or higher; alternatively, successful completion of an associate degree in Applied Science or equivalent associate degree program, vocational certificate in lieu of the degree program, or equivalent military coursework.
• At least 2 years of technician experience in a manufacturing, military, automotive, aviation, or industrial facility, including set-up, changeover, assembly, disassembly, operation, and modification of complex, high-speed equipment.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), equipment HMIs, SAP, and calibration or maintenance database systems.
• Ability to work and communicate independently and as part of a team.
• Ability and willingness to lift 50 pounds, bend, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb ladders, and wear cleanroom protective gowning, including respirators.
• Willingness and flexibility to work overtime, including during shutdowns or emergency repairs.
• Must be a transitioning service member participating in the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program and complete the program within the last 180 days of transition from military service.
• Must be able to work 100% onsite in Rahway, New Jersey; the posting is limited to U.S. and Puerto Rico residents.

Nice To Haves

• Trade certificate, technical diploma, or Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, Instrumentation, or a related field.
• Experience in regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing under cGMP.
• Experience in automotive or aerospace settings.
• Experience with complex, state-of-the-art equipment, isolators, containment technology, aseptic filling using automated machinery, sterile manufacturing, or visual inspection of product in glass vials.
• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems and automated systems such as MES.
• BioWork Certificate or experience working in an FDA-regulated or similar regulated industry.
• Associate degree in science or a related field.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with robotic positioning, remote pendant axis positioning, vision systems, PLC interfaces, and multi-screen HMIs.

Responsibilities

• Set up, change over, test-run, operate, and adjust filling equipment for various container, stopper, and cap sizes, including necessary mechanical and electrical adjustments.
• Perform sterile filling, lyophilization, capping, and aseptic interventions within a Grade A isolator in compliance with GMP and SOPs.
• Troubleshoot process and production equipment to support safe, compliant, and reliable manufacturing operations.
• Operate and maintain complex isolators and filling equipment, following applicable safety protocols.
• Execute machinability runs and make adjustments to support smooth GMP processing.
• Conduct routine microbial and particulate sampling for environmental monitoring.
• Maintain accurate inspection and findings records in electronic systems and complete GMP documentation.
• Follow inspection batch records, protocols, and quality standards; report recurring issues or trends for investigation.
• Work in Grade C cleanroom conditions while maintaining appropriate aseptic behaviors and gowning practices.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, EHS, Engineering, formulators, and other partner teams to support manufacturing reliability and on-time delivery.
• Support commissioning, qualification, and demonstration of new equipment and technologies.
• Assist in training new staff on sterile supply procedures and protocols.
• Identify and escalate issues, perform basic troubleshooting, and capture learnings to improve systems and processes.
• Support investigations and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Participate in safety, quality, and process improvement initiatives.
• Provide feedback to formulation development colleagues on product and process development and support process knowledge capture.

Benefits

• The posting describes medical, dental, vision healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and their families; fellowship participants are ineligible for employment benefits.
• The posting describes retirement benefits, including 401(k), for employees; fellowship participants are ineligible for employment benefits.
• The posting describes paid holidays, vacation, compassionate days, and sick days for employees; fellowship participants are ineligible for employment benefits.
• Annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable, are described for the successful candidate; fellowship participants are ineligible for employment benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED