Senior Operations Engineer - Spray Drying

Merck•Elkton, VA

8d•$96,200 - $151,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Operations Engineer - Spray Drying supports the DP and SDI Integrated Product Team in commissioning, qualification, start-up, and operational readiness of a new Small Molecule manufacturing facility in Elkton, Virginia. The role partners with cross-functional teams to help ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations during project execution and ongoing manufacturing. It also helps coordinate and prioritize improvement activities across the IPT as the facility transitions to routine operations. The position provides technical and operational support for equipment and process start-up, troubleshooting, optimization, and the transfer and implementation of commercial manufacturing processes. It helps establish and improve operating practices, standard work, procedures, and routines, while applying the company Production System and lean principles to promote reliable, compliant, and consistent execution across shifts, functions, and workstreams. The role supports a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement, and may act as a delegate for the Production Lead to support leadership continuity and cross-functional coordination.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline is preferred.
Minimum 5 years of experience in Drug Product/SDI manufacturing, operations, technical operations, or related manufacturing experience in Spray Drying.
Experience working in a cross-functional manufacturing, technical, or operational setting.
Experience contributing to operational improvement, troubleshooting, process support, or start-up-related activities.
Working knowledge of GMP, quality, and compliance expectations in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Strong problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
Ability to work effectively across Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Technical teams.
Ability to prioritize work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting commissioning, qualification, start-up, or validation activities.
Experience in a greenfield or new facility start-up environment.
Experience with technology transfer and implementation of commercial manufacturing processes.
Experience applying lean tools and methodologies, including Kaizen, 5S, and Standard Work.
Experience coordinating activities across shifts, teams, or functions.
Experience serving in a lead, coordinator, or delegate role supporting leadership continuity.
Experience identifying improvement opportunities and helping implement practical solutions in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Support commissioning, qualification, start-up, and operational readiness activities for the new SDI Small Molecule facility in Elkton, Virginia.
Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Technical Operations, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to support safe, compliant, and effective plant start-up.
Provide technical and operational support during equipment and process start-up, troubleshooting, and optimization activities.
Support technology transfer and implementation of commercial manufacturing processes into the new facility.
Help define, implement, and improve operating practices, standard work, procedures, and routines that support reliable and compliant operations.
Coordinate and prioritize improvement activities and key areas of focus within the IPT in alignment with business objectives and operational performance goals.
Use company Production System tools and lean principles, including Kaizen, 5S, visual management, and Standard Work, to identify and support improvement opportunities.
Help embed best practices across shifts, functions, and workstreams to promote consistency, efficiency, and strong operational execution.
Support a culture of safety, quality, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Act as a delegate for the Production Lead when needed, supporting leadership continuity and cross-functional coordination.
Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative, and performance-driven work environment.