Associate Director, Packaging Equipment Technology Engineering

Job Description

We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Join our team and be part of a mission-driven organization that uses the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.

This role serves as an essential part of the External Manufacturing & Network Equipment team, in providing technical leadership and support to our company's internal & external packaging network, focusing on developing and executing packaging and device assembly equipment and processes including packaging equipment design & development, ensuring packaging process control and efficiency and providing on-going packaging and device technical support across the lifecycle.

The Packaging Technical Operations organization aims to be an industry leader in problem-solving, delivering robust and pragmatic technical solutions to accelerate the commercialization of new products, and ensuring an uninterrupted, compliant supply of commercialized products for the benefit of patients. The Associate Director of Equipment Engineering is integral to this mission. The successful candidate will possess deep process and equipment technical expertise for packaging and/or assembly, a strong track record in problem-solving, strategic acumen, and execution, along with leadership skills to lead complex cross functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support complex technical projects and/or equipment technology assessments within the packaging and Medical Devices & Combination Products (MDCP) space as part of new product introduction, product source change, and/or device component source changes.
• Lead or support complex global and site-centric capital and equipment projects, including new packaging equipment purchases, packaging equipment transfer/relocation, device component source change assessment, and packaging site operational & launch support.
• Serve as the above-site packaging and assembly equipment SME, providing direct technical support to the packaging network in areas of troubleshooting, equipment and End-to-End line performance & technology analysis.
• Leverage packaging scientific/technical concepts and techniques (e.g., mechanical & electrical knowledge, automation expertise, AutoCAD/SolidWorks competency, equipment validation & qualification, Lean Manufacturing/Six Sigma, GMP, Safety Standards, Project management, Preventive & Predictive maintenance, Serialization, VOC, process capability, root cause analysis) to resolve scientific/technical packaging issues.
• Work closely with our company's Serialization CoE to support the implementation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of our serialization strategy.
• Establish and maintain specific packaging equipment specification standards in line with our company's Same-Same component/equipment/process principles across multiple packaging platforms.
• Evaluate new technologies for compatibility with existing packaging lines and collaborate closely with package sites’ technology groups to ensure alignment.

Qualifications

Required

• A bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline (such as Chemical Engineering or Material Engineering).
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device industry, with at least three (3) years in a leadership role (i.e., Maintenance, Operation and/or Engineering).
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing equipment standards across multiple manufacturing or packaging sites.
• Strong background in medical device, combination product, pharmaceutical packaging equipment, and operational process.
• Broad experience with devices and combination products, covering design control to product and technology transfer for both new and existing packaging facilities.
• Exceptional project management skills, from conception and initiation through project close-out.
• Thorough knowledge and proven expertise in GMP application and quality systems, particularly in process and equipment qualification & validation, root cause analysis, change control, deviation management, and cleaning qualification.
• Extensive experience with quantitative decision tools for root cause analysis, risk management, and options analysis.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP, FDA, EMA, and other international regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities, combined with outstanding oral and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Advanced practical knowledge of techniques applicable to packaging and device assembly equipment and processes.
• Experience in operating autonomously to offer strong coordination, communication, and supervision on all technical issues.
• Proven track record in operating in a fast-paced environment to resolve technical issues while meeting customer needs in a compliant manner.

Required Skills:

Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biotechnology, Change Controls, Change Management, Combination Products, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Deviation Management, Engineering Standards, Equipment Experience, GMP Compliance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma (LSS), Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Devices, Medical Devices Design, Medical Device Technologies, New Product Introduction Process, Packaging Engineering, Packaging Equipment, Packaging Optimization, Packaging Processes, Pharmaceutical Packaging {+ 8 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$129,000.00 - $203,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

08/28/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.