Sr. Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

Job Description

Sr. Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

We are advancing Digital Shop Floor technologies, collaboration, and leadership across the organization. Specifically, in our leadership of our automation systems that are installed globally across our diverse Animal Health vaccine, biologics and small molecule manufacturing arenas. We are expanding the Digital Shop Floor Platform Organization to include this role focusing on PLC and SCADA technologies, architecture, configuration direction, & standards. 

This role will work in a global role providing technical guidance, lead sub teams, implement proof of concepts, and consult in all aspects of solutions. This role will also include supporting site operational teams in their day-to-day challenges for all aspects of lifecycle management. It will also involve working closely with the business, IT technical staff, other engineering groups to collaborate in delivery high operational efficiency to these key assets. The role will also have high collaboration with suppliers to ensure a cohesive technology roadmap is in place.

This technical leadership role will focus primarily on the use of PLC/SCADA automation systems used in the production of key the products in all areas of Animal Health Manufacturing. This role is part of a broader Digital organization with focus on Animal Health. This Role will report to the Product Owner, Animal Health Automation and Analysis

The technology leader must also understand the business needs of the team and stay abreast of new technologies to make recommendations for business improvements.

Essential Qualifications

· A good understanding of applying PLC equipment control strategies and SCADA use cases especially with equipment used in life sciences and pharmaceutical mfg.

· Direct experience and accomplishments in the implementation of Rockwell and/or Siemens PLC and HMI platforms.  Ability to adapt to unique, non-standard platforms.

· Experience with various SCADA systems

· Understanding of industrial cyber-security best practices for ICS systems. Able to work alongside corporate security professionals to develop and constantly evolve security standards.

· Good communication skills.

· Ability to participate in global teams and having flexibility to support global time zones

· Ability to work with business customers in a highly dynamic environment.

· High personal integrity, credibility, and energy.

· Experience and in-depth understanding of the GMP validation life cycle

Skills

· Bachelors Degree in Engineering is preferred.

· A minimum of 10 years manufacturing automation or related experience is required.

· Strong working experience with PLC system preferrable with Rockwell and/or Siemens including demonstrated experience with solution delivery system configuration for as well as strong familiarity with the system architecture.

· Demonstrated delivery and configuration experience with SCADA systems including the key industry leaders such as Factory Talk, Wonderware, Siemens, and Inductive Automation.

· Experience in pharmaceutical, biological or bulk-manufacturing facilities is required.

· In-depth understanding of System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and applications systems development is required.

· General Understanding of IT infrastructure related topics that influence control system implementations including networking, virtualization, and storage technologies

· Other information technology experiences a plus, especially in the areas of Virtualization, Thin Clients, and Windows server.

Position will require on the average 10% travel globally.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Audit Management, Automated Manufacturing Systems, Automation, Business Process Improvements, Communication, Data Management, Global Team Collaboration, GMP Compliance, Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure, Operational Efficiency, Problem Management, Quality Management, Real-Time Programming, SCADA Control Systems, SCADA System Design, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Systems Architecture, Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

11/7/2025

*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.

Requisition ID:R368122

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