Manufacturing Automation Engineer
New hires in office-based roles in the US & Puerto Rico will be required, subject to applicable law, to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or qualify for a medical or religious exemption to this vaccination requirement that can be accommodated without an undue burden to the operation. However, subject to applicable law, employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as employees in health services, customer facing commercial, or research based roles, will be required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.
Our IT team operates as a business partner proposing ideas and innovative solutions that enable new organizational capabilities. We collaborate internationally to deliver the services and solutions that help everyone to be more productive and enable innovation.
General:
First line automation support for assigned line(s)/system(s) and/or engineering projects. Work with plant maintenance, operations and process improvement teams to address line performance issues and implement continuous improvement initiatives. Conduct/support quality investigations related to equipment/system malfunctions and lead corresponding corrective and preventive actions to on-time closure. Lead/support qualification activities as well as associated GMP documentation and automation change controls. Foster an inclusive environment and a safety culture while adhering to our Company's code of conduct, values and competencies.
Functional Expertise:
This position requires knowledge and experience in own discipline while still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills. The position will build knowledge of the company, processes, clients/customers and will solve a range of medium-complex problems while contributing to possible solutions. This position may often work autonomously with a moderate level of guidance and direction. In group work, applies team effectiveness skills, listening and integrating diverse perspectives from across the work group; contributes and adds value to the achievement of team goals.
Responsibility:
The Specialist, Manufacturing Automation position is responsible for the resolution of automation issues and maintenance of automation systems in compliance with cGMPs, SLC, safety, and environmental regulations. Supports problem analysis/resolution and preventative/corrective actions for automation and shop floor platforms. Provides guidance on process control, data collection techniques, and failure mode and effects analysis. Ensures adherence to strategies that optimize and ensure quality and stability of automation systems though future expansion, replacement, or upgrades. Partners with stakeholders and global support functions to ensure successful automation system functionality. This position will be an individual contributor within the Automation engineering team reporting to the Manager, Manufacturing Automation.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Specialist, Manufacturing Automation will be responsible for providing automation support for assigned line(s)/system(s) and/or engineering projects within our production manufacturing facilities. The Specialist is responsible for supporting the following as the discipline requires:
- On-floor support of manufacturing activities. Leads key automation support and troubleshooting for manufacturing equipment and packaging systems (i.e. PLC, Vision Systems) in Manufacturing Operations.
- Provides automation technical support for site implementation and on ongoing management of serialization/aggregation (track and trace), Systech Guardian and above site point of contact for SAP ATTP application.
- Uses technical knowledge to assure the efficient operation of variety of automated processing and information technology systems.
- Author/Maintain technical documentation (Project Plans, Master Specifications, Requirements, Qualifications, Change Controls, Standard Operating Procedures, etc).
- Provides guidance on process control and data collection techniques.
- Provides automation technical support to ensure compliance with Data Integrity directive.
- Identifies and implements process/equipment improvements and manufacturing efficiencies.
- Maintains automation systems in compliance with SLC, cGMPs, safety, and environmental regulations.
- Understands and supports all GMPs, safety, and environmental regulations. Periodically reviews automation documents, preventive maintenance, and SOPs to ensure compliance with GMP and safety.
- Develops and supports quality investigations and corrective actions for automated equipment/systems to resolve complex problems and prevent reoccurrence.
- Communicates periodically with immediate manager about status of area of responsibility.
- Participates in audits and training programs in the area of responsibility.
- Partners proactively with key customers and stakeholders (operations, quality and plant/facilities/utilities maintenance groups) while being open and approachable with a friendly, positive and professional attitude.
- Communicates daily with operation, technical, and quality representatives within area of support through the tier process.
- Leads projects by engaging team members, setting clear expectations, utilizing strong communication skills and exercising clear decision-making.
- Regularly and clearly communicates project plans, risks and strategy to all key stakeholders, customers and governance committees.
- Shares knowledge on engineering principles and other areas of expertise as needed.
- Responsibilities will sometimes include providing automation support on various shifts/weekends in support of Manufacturing Operations.
Education Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelors degree
Qualifications:
- 3 + years of experience in an Automation Engineering role within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, Vision Systems and Servo-Drives.
- 1 + year of experience in computer validation and systems lifecycle development methodology.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence and support others through a culture of inclusion, feedback, and empowerment.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- 1 + years of project management skills
- Experience authoring and reviewing standard operating procedures, on-the-job-training modules, and other controlled documents.
- Experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Problem Solving, and/or Right First-Time methodologies.
- Experience with automation technology for packaging equipment.
- Experience with reject/verification systems and serialization systems.
- Working knowledge of the regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical applications.
- Data Integrity acumen.
- Cyber Security acumen.
Our Support Functions deliver services and make recommendations about ways to enhance our workplace and the culture of our organization. Our Support Functions include HR, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Procurement, Administration, Facilities and Security.
Who we are …
We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.
What we look for …
Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.