Senior Specialist Engineering

Merck•De Soto, KS

7d•$117,000 - $184,200•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Specialist, Bioprocess Engineer is an individual contributor and key technical expert for regional vaccine manufacturing technology transfers. Based at the company’s Center of Excellence in the Animal Health Corridor, the role leads end-to-end transfer of vaccine processes to receiving sites, supporting robust, compliant, and efficient implementation. The position owns regional knowledge management for assigned processes, conducts proactive technical risk assessment and mitigation, and supports ongoing process robustness after transfer. The role leads cross-functional technical projects and workstreams without direct reports, trains and mentors new hires, and provides expert technical support to manufacturing, quality, and other partners on complex topics. It also produces compliant technical documentation and communicates with stakeholders in accordance with quality, regulatory, and internal governance expectations. The primary location is De Soto, Kansas. The position is listed as hybrid, with a first-shift Monday–Friday base schedule; off-shift coverage may be required depending on manufacturing and transfer activities. Travel is 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with significant relevant experience in biotechnology, biochemical engineering, chemical engineering, pharmacy, or a related life science or engineering field.
Minimum 5 years of experience in biopharmaceutical or vaccine manufacturing, process development, or technology transfer.
Proven track record leading technology transfers or major technical projects as an individual contributor.
Strong understanding of upstream, downstream, fill-finish, and/or lyophilization processes in vaccine or biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Experience in vaccine or biopharmaceutical regulated environments.
Experience with process characterization, scale-up/scale-down, and process robustness.
Technical and problem-solving skills to motivate a cross-functional team responsible for implementation.
Ability to train, coach, and influence others, with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
High degree of ownership, scientific rigor, and a continuous improvement mindset.
Proficiency in technical risk assessment and data analysis for process performance.
Ability to prioritize, focus on, and obtain business results.
Able to work first shift, Monday through Friday as the base schedule, with off-shift coverage as needed based on manufacturing or transfer activities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Familiarity with USDA regulatory expectations.
Excellent technical writing and communication skills for diverse stakeholders.
Strong project leadership and cross-functional collaboration without formal line authority.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and own regional knowledge management implementation for assigned processes, including transfer packages, playbooks, lessons learned, best practices, and effective knowledge sharing across sites.
Lead regional vaccine technology transfers end-to-end, ensuring technical readiness and successful implementation at receiving sites.
Identify and mitigate technical risks ahead of transfer execution through structured assessments and data-driven action plans.
Lead cross-functional technical projects and workstreams that enable transfer success and improve process performance.
Train and mentor new hires, strengthening team capability and consistent ways of working.
Ensure post-transfer process robustness through monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement in partnership with sites and Quality.
Deliver compliant technical documentation and clear stakeholder communication aligned with quality, regulatory, and internal governance requirements.
Provide expert support to manufacturing, quality, and other partners on complex technical topics.