Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation provides technical leadership and automation support for capital projects and manufacturing operations at the Dallas, Texas, facility. The position supports the startup, commissioning, qualification, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing automation and mechanical systems.

The position reports to the Engineering Manager and works closely with the Associate Director of Operations, Maintenance, Operations, Quality, Information Technology, equipment suppliers, and other cross-functional partners. The role operates as an individual contributor with responsibility for technical leadership, project execution, contractor oversight, and cross-functional coordination.

Specific Responsibilities:

Automation Strategy and System Reliability:

• Evaluates automation and information technology systems and develops strategies to improve system reliability, quality, maintainability, and long-term performance through expansion, replacement, or upgrade.

• Apply technical expertise to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of automated processing equipment and supporting information technology systems.

• Identifies and implements automation, process, and equipment improvements that increase manufacturing efficiency, reliability, and operational performance.

• Develops technical requirements that consider operational needs, system capabilities, lifecycle costs, business benefits, compliance requirements, and implementation risks.

• Serves as a liaison among site teams, corporate automation groups, divisional automation teams, and Information Technology.

Controls Engineering and Technical Support:

• Develops programmable logic controller (PLC) and human-machine interface (HMI) code for new equipment and supports existing control systems.

• Configures and commissions variable-frequency drives (VFDs).

• Configures subnet addressing and industrial network communications.

• Provides on-floor technical support for manufacturing operations.

• Troubleshoots complex automation, controls, equipment, and system issues and develops sustainable corrective actions.

• Participates in investigations of automation anomalies, determines contributing factors, and implements actions to prevent recurrence.

• Analyzes system performance, operating data, and equipment trends to identify emerging issues and improvement opportunities.

Capital Projects and Project Execution:

• Coordinates project activities across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Information Technology, procurement, equipment suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders to achieve approved scope, schedule, cost, and compliance objectives.

• Provides technical leadership for equipment installation, startup, commissioning, qualification, and transfer into routine operations.

• Leads project coordination, troubleshooting, implementation, and change-control activities.

• Plans, attends, and executes vendor Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing.

• Oversees contractors and consultants to ensure project deliverables meet agreed-upon technical, quality, schedule, and customer requirements.

• Initiates and leads collaboration among Operations, Quality, Engineering, and technical teams to resolve complex technical and operational problems.

Technical Documentation and Qualification:

• Works with internal customers and stakeholders to define equipment and process requirements.

• Develops User Requirements Specifications (URS), Functional Requirements Specifications (FRS), and Detailed Design Specifications (DDS) for automation and equipment projects.

• Reviews and approves technical specifications and design documents prepared by equipment suppliers, consultants, and other external providers.

• Supports the planning and execution of commissioning and qualification activities.

• Develops and updates standard operating procedures and other technical documentation required to support project implementation and routine operations.

• Develop Job Safety Assessments as required.

• Supports internal and external audits by preparing technical information, responding to automation-related observations, and implementing corrective actions.

Training and Operational Readiness:

• Develops and delivers training for operators, technicians, engineers, and other users of automated systems.

• Supports operational readiness by ensuring that systems, documentation, training, and technical support are in place before equipment is released for routine use.

• Participates in technical training programs and maintains current knowledge of relevant automation technologies, standards, and industry practices.

General Requirements:

Key Competencies:

• Build effective working relationships with employees, business partners, customers, contractors, and leaders at all organizational levels.

• Collaborates effectively across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Information Technology, procurement, and other functional teams.

• Demonstrates technical leadership and influences outcomes without relying solely on formal authority.

• Applies a structured, analytical approach to troubleshooting, problem-solving, risk assessment, and decision-making.

• Communicates complex technical information clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

• Manages changing priorities and multiple assignments while maintaining attention to quality, safety, schedule, and compliance.

• Works independently, exercises sound judgment and takes appropriate action when facing obstacles or ambiguity.

• Demonstrate flexibility and the willingness to work outside standard business hours when required to support projects or manufacturing operations.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Ability to use handheld measuring and diagnostic devices.

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods during the workday.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.

• Ability to climb stairs and ladders to access equipment and system components.

• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.

• Ability to work periodically in non-climate-controlled spaces.

• Ability to access manufacturing and equipment areas while following all applicable safety and personal protective equipment requirements.

Qualifications:

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.

Required Experience and Technical Skills:

• A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in process automation, manufacturing automation, controls engineering, or a related field.

• Experience developing, modifying, troubleshooting, and supporting PLC- and HMI-based control systems.

• Experience supporting equipment installation, startup, commissioning, qualification, or validation activities.

• Ability to interpret and develop technical specifications, system requirements, design documents, and operating procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex automation, equipment, and manufacturing-system issues.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated technical leadership and experience leading project teams, contractors, consultants, or cross-functional workgroups.

• Strong time-management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage changing workloads and complete assignments independently.

• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to act appropriately when faced with obstacles or ambiguity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.

• Experience developing or reviewing User Requirements Specifications, Functional Requirements Specifications, and Detailed Design Specifications.

• Experience with industrial networks, variable-frequency drives, data acquisition, system administration, and automation-system integration.

• Experience overseeing equipment suppliers, contractors, or automation consultants.

• Experience training operators, technicians, engineers, or other users of automated systems.

Travel and Work Schedule Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 30%.

• Ability to work flexible hours when necessary to support project execution, equipment startup, manufacturing operations, or urgent technical issues.

Required Skills:

Automation, Automation Technology, Capital Project Management, Control Systems Engineering, HMI Programming, Manufacturing Operations, Operations Support, PLC Programming, Technical Leadership, Technical Training

Preferred Skills:

Design Specifications, Functional Design Specification (FDS), Functional Requirements Gathering, Industrial Networks, System Administration, Training People, User Requirements Documentation

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

$106,200.00 - $167,200.00

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:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

Yes

Job Posting End Date:

10/24/2026

*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.