Associate Principal Scientist, Engineering

Job Description
The Chemical Commercialization Technology (CCT) department, which is part of our company Manufacturing Division is seeking a self-motivated individual who is looking for an opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment that provides substantial technical responsibility and leadership of internal and external work.
The Associate Principal Scientist, Engineering position leverages scientific/technical experience to develop safe and robust manufacturing processes through process characterization, technology transfer, validation, filing and supply support of late-stage projects in the small molecule pipeline.
The candidate will provide scientific expertise by learning and utilizing Quality Risk Management methodologies and tools for statistical design of experiments. This role involves hands-on experimentation at the laboratory bench and kilo lab scales in addition to technology transfer to commercial manufacturing facilities. Mentoring is required to develop junior staff to initiate, plan and execute characterization and complete technical support objectives. The scientist will be expected to exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance, which will include following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and participating in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).
Position Qualifications
Education Minimum Requirement:

The position requires a BS and/or MS in Chemical Engineering or a related field from an accredited college/university plus at least 8 years of relevant work experience in process development or PhD with at least 4 years of relevant work experience post PhD defense.
Required Experience And Skills
Relevant work experience in chemical process development, including the following:

Experience to develop safe and robust manufacturing processes through process characterization, technology transfer, validation, filing and supply support of late-stage projects in the small molecule pipeline
Demonstrated capability to develop and execute an experimental program to address issues of process design, robustness and productivity
Experience with process scale-up and technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or factory
Ability to mentor technical staff in the laboratory and through data analysis
Highly effective communication and collaboration skills
Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills
Ability to operate within a cross-functional process development team
Preferred Experience And Skills

Experience performing lab-based research/process development including performing unit operations common in small molecule drug substance process development such as chemical reactions, work-up, and crystallization
Experience leading regulatory file authoring, validation planning and execution
Experience guiding internal/external technical discussions
Familiarity with statistical design and analysis tools
Familiarity with concepts and application of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) ideally during pharmaceutical drug substance / drug product development and production, e.g. in a pilot and/or factory setting
Experience with mathematical modeling, theoretical scaling calculations, and Quality by Design principles.
Required Skills
Bioprocessing, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, Maintenance Supervision, Manufacturing Process Validation, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Pharmaceutical Industry, Process Characterization, Regulatory Submissions, Small Molecules, Technology Transfer
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.
Requirements
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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U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
The salary range for this role is
$142,400.00 - $224,100.00
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:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship
Yes
Travel Requirements
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements
Not Applicable
Shift
1st - Day
Valid Driving License
No
Hazardous Material(s)
n/a
Job Posting End Date
04/1/2026

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.
Requisition ID: R378932