Sr. Specialist, Research Automation Systems Integrator

Job Description

Join our company, a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical organization committed to advancing the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Through cutting-edge science, we develop innovative health solutions that improve and save lives around the world.

RaDS IT Research Infrastructure Product Line (RIPL) engineering team is seeking a Senior Specialist - Research Automation Systems Integrator. This position will be a member of the Research Automation Operations product (Laboratory and Plant) within RIPL.  As systems integrator, you will lead the definition and implementation of high-level requirements, principles and models that guide solution decisions and provide the “blueprint” for engineering / project teams to implement these solutions.  You will focus on analyzing, designing, and developing solutions and implementation plans based on a current versus future state solution and reference architectures that aligns to business needs.  Your software experience in screening data automation, plant automation and system integration will contribute to building new platforms, enhancing existing ones for expansion, efficiency and productivity across drug discovery modalities and clinical phases. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary organizations in our Research Labs Division and IT, including scientists, engineers, IT architects, infrastructure, quality, vendors in building, optimizing, and troubleshooting the automation systems.

The primary location is West Point, PA, Rahway, NJ and will provide support services to other sites.

Responsibilities

• Defines the software modules needed for an integration build and produces a build definition for each generation of the software. Accepts completed software modules, ensuring that they meet defined criteria. Produces software builds from software source code for loading onto target hardware. Configures the hardware and software environment as required by the system being integrated. Produces integration test specifications, conducts tests and records and reports on outcomes. Diagnoses faults and records and reports on the results of tests. Produces system integration reports.

• Follows standard approaches and established design patterns to create new designs for simple systems or system components. Identifies and resolves minor design issues. Identifies alternative design options and seeks guidance when deviating from established design patterns.

• Undertakes complete design of moderately complex software applications or components. Applies agreed standards, guidelines, patterns and tools. Assists as part of a team in the design of components of larger software systems. Specifies user and/or system interfaces. Creates multiple design views to address the different stakeholders' concerns and to handle functional and non-functional requirements. Assists in the evaluation of options and trade-offs. Collaborates in reviews of work with others as appropriate.

• Contributes to the development of solution architectures in specific business, infrastructure or functional areas. Identifies and evaluates alternative architectures and the trade-offs in cost, performance and scalability. Determines and documents architecturally significant decisions. Produces specifications of cloud-based or on-premises components, tiers and interfaces, for translation into detailed designs using selected services and products. Supports projects or change initiatives through the preparation of technical plans and application of design principles. Aligns solutions with enterprise and solution architecture standards (including security).

• Define and implement integrations to systems and solutions that meet business requirements

• Design and develop automated laboratory workflows, including sample preparation, assay execution on high throughput robotic screening platforms

• Collaborate with our Research & Development Division scientists and engineers to identify automation needs and define project requirements.

• Collaborate with instrument vendors and suppliers to evaluate and implement new laboratory automation and robotics technologies.

• Program, integrate, and maintain laboratory automation equipment, such as liquid handling robots, robotic arms, and high-throughput screening systems

• Effectively troubleshoot the systems, including not only the software but other aspects such as the hosting servers and computers, instrument drivers such detectors, liquid handlers, centrifuge, etc. ensuring minimal disruption to research activities

• Ensure timely IT support in the joint investigation, diagnostics, and resolutions with the our Research & Development Division scientists and engineers and interface with site and global functions such as infrastructure, engineering, system security, risk management, etc.

• Manage implementation and upgrade of software in support of maintenance and upkeep of the laboratory automation systems, improving operational efficiencies, reliability, operability, and maintainability.

• Communicate with all stakeholders, including internal and external developers, end-users, product line/product owners and architects. Update stakeholders on the status of product development processes.

• Evaluate project constraints to find alternatives, alleviate risks, and perform process re-engineering if required. Find resolution to technical issues as they arise.

• Leverage industry standard frameworks and current knowledge of the industry trends to advise on leading architecture practices

• Good understanding of all phases of SDLC (to enable rapid adoption of company SDLC processes).

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in automation, engineering, computer science, or computer engineering related degree

• Over five (5+) years’ hands-on software development and operations in the pharmaceutical High Throughput Screening (HTS) automation, interfacing with research scientists, robotic engineers, safety, and quality personnel.

• Over four (4+) years' experience with sample management systems and operations, such as Titian Mosaic, Screenwork, BioInventory, FreezerPro, etc. Have experience developing integration APIs with other laboratory systems.

• Over four (4+) years' experience with commercial laboratory robotics scheduler software such as Momentum, GreenButtonGo, Cellario, etc.

• Over four (4+) year’s hands-on experience programming robotic arms, laboratory instrument using LabView, C#, Java, Oracle and/or SQL server database in direct support of high throughput screening.

• Familiar with networking, switches, vlans, subnets, firewalls, Windows active directory in virtual and physical environments.

• Experienced problem solver/troubleshooter, skilled in root cause analysis.

• Multi-tasker with ability to lead multiple IT and automation projects.

• Able to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.

• Strong technical writing skills.

Preferred

• A Master's degree preferred.

• Four (4) years' experience with sample management systems and operations, such as Titian Mosaic, Screenwork, BioInventory, FreezerPro, etc.

• Have experience developing integration APIs with other laboratory systems.

Required Skills:

Automation Systems, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Modeling, Design Applications, Information Technology (IT) Services, Java (Programming Language), Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Safety, Managing Engineering Teams, Market Trends, Oracle Database, Product Development, Release Management, Requirements Management, Robot Framework, Robotics Programming, Sample Management, Software Applications, Solution Architecture, SQL Databases, System Designs, System Integration

Preferred Skills:

Automation Technology

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

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

06/26/2026

*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.