Associate Director (Engineering), Biologics External Manufacturing Technical Operations
Merck
- Location
- West Point, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Employment
- Full Time
- Work model
- On-Site
- Level
- Senior
- Salary
- $142.4k – $224.1k/yr
- Posted
- Aug 20, 2026
Skills
About this role
Job Description
We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. At the forefront of research, we deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Join our team and be part of a company that uses the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. The Associate Director, Engineering within Biologics External Manufacturing Technology is accountable for achieving excellence in Compliance, Supply, Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction in partnership with our internal technical partners and External Partner (EP) leadership, supporting the Vaccines and Biologics businesses. This individual works in collaboration with the Focus Factory Operations lead, modality specific Technology Leads, Large Molecule External Quality Assurance, and Procurement. The Associate Director must have biologics manufacturing experience, with broad process sciences and analytics, strong leadership skills, business acumen, and interpersonal skills.
Responsibilities
Provide a single point of technical contact to assigned External Partners, impacted Company Manufacturing Division sites, and Commercialization. Provide technical oversight, management, and planning support for complex partnership models. Accountable to External Manufacturing for overall tech transfer delivery (on-time, within budget), working closely with the Operations Unit leadership to assure resourcing for each activity. Provide technical guidance to the External Partner, assess viability of technology in proposed process configurations, verify adherence to required standards, and ensure deliverables are technically sound. Collaborate with Procurement, External Manufacturing Operations, External Quality, Regulatory, and others to evaluate External Partner(s) for inclusion in the Company Network. Execute technical due diligence assessments at External Partner(s). Ensure tech transfers are positioned for successful business outcomes. Execute technical transfers and receiving site readiness activities. Lead team for identification and assessment of partner risks and develop mitigation plans. Develop and execute validation strategies for new and existing products. Provide manufacturing process support to External Partner(s) to resolve production issues and provide guidance on process and capacity optimization. Ensure targeted communications and alignment across technical functions. Guide and coach others in change leadership. Support/Coordinate/Manage complex investigations, with appropriate interface with other impacted manufacturing sites. Determine resource plans across all relevant technical functions. Provide a technical review of External Partner process change requests, deviations, and Master Batch Record changes. Minimize duplication of efforts between External Partner and Company systems. Drive and support Continuous process verification and process performance monitoring program for all products under responsibility. In concert with Commercialization, Quality, and Regulatory, ensure that External Partner(s) are inspection ready for all new product introductions and transfers. Understand the true regulatory requirements and partner with Operations, Quality, and the External Partner to develop more efficient ways to meet these requirements. Collaborate with External Partners to achieve business goals and establish a common culture that benefits both our company and EP.
Qualifications
Required A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or Business. Minimum of 8 (eight) years post-bachelor’s degree experience in Drug Substance and/or Drug Product vaccines and/or biologics manufacturing, engineering, and/or technical support of operations. Expertise and demonstrated accomplishments leading technical transfers. Advanced problem-solving skills and experience leading teams to resolve complex business or technical issues. Excellent leadership, collaboration, change