Job Description

For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science. Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology. Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.

Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence. Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.

This Automation Engineer role in Millsboro, Delaware is responsible for the installation, repair, maintain, upgrade and support engineering projects with PLC control systems, HMIs, data acquisition systems (SCADA), production data servers and other various electro / mechanical equipment used for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This person must be capable of performing electro / mechanical installations, electrical troubleshooting and PLC / HMI programming functions. This individual will interface and work with Corporate IT for support of common site communications infrastructure such as the fiber optic network and external internet access from the shop floor network systems. Day to day support of maintenance activities will be provided on an as needed basis. Daily Tier meetings each morning to discuss updates of current issues.

This role’s primary responsibility will be to support any upset in production, however, during the times that production is running smoothly, the Engineer will have projects and tasks on hand to manage and complete. The typical activities of this position will include:

• Provide instrumentation, hardware, HMI (Human Machine Interface), PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technical expertise and troubleshooting in support of daily ongoing biological manufacturing operations.

• Log all PLC, HMI and SCADA related incidents and perform necessary troubleshooting steps to resolve incidents in a timely fashion.

• Develop, test and implement changes to automation controls, supported by approved change requests, to facilitate corrective actions and process improvements.

• Identify potential automation issues and report to the appropriate manager(s).

• Coordinate implementation and testing with appropriate area manager(s).

• Provide control engineering support on all commissioning and validation initiatives.

• Participate on Factory Acceptance Tests of equipment and skids.

• Participate in project teams related to the addition of new production equipment and/or changes to existing automation functionality.

• Define instrument and controls requirements and establish control system design criteria based on engineering analysis and evaluation.

• Analyze user requirements and functional specifications to develop detailed hardware and software design specifications for the development and implementation of process control automation.

• Perform troubleshooting on electrical systems up to 480 v.

• Routine diagnostic checks on automated systems, monitoring automated systems, troubleshooting computer controlled systems and performing repairs to maintain critical plant equipment.

• Maintain critical automation documentation including hardware and software design specs, change control documentation, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), process flow diagrams, equipment specifications, work instructions and standard operating procedures.

• Assist the Site IT Coordinator with various IT infrastructure support activities as assigned.

Education:

• HS Diploma or equivalent and 5+ years of relevant work experience with industrial electrical or mechanical systems OR
• Associate’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience, OR
• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, industrial, electrical, mechanical or other accredited engineering degree or computer science

Required Experience:

• Must be experienced in designing and interpreting control schematics including piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), control panel schematics, and pneumatic and electrical interconnect diagrams.

• Must have SCADA programming experience developing applications using Wonderware, Rockwell, iFix and Siemens software.

• Knowledge of batch and filling machinery, operations, and repair.

• Ability to work in a compliant environment.

• Must be able to climb ladders/stairs, work in small/confined spaces – You will work around qualified equipment, in server rooms, etc. History of working in these environments is a plus.

• Ability to manage and address critical Shop Floor alarms on a 24/7 basis including unexpected / unplanned site support (on call).

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment without direct supervision.

• Ability to work well with others as part of a project team. Multidiscipline group interaction skills required.

• Excellent organization, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills required.

• Must employ a growth mindset. This is extremely important for this role as you may start with one project and it may carry over to another.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in a biological or pharmaceutical work environment is preferred. – Licensed electrician preferred, but not required.

• Proficiency in PLC ladder logic development. Experience with Allen-Bradley family PLCs is preferred.

• Knowledge of SQL databases and scripting is a plus.

• History of working in Pharma space a plus.

• Cleanroom environment experience a plus.

Hours/Shift:

• 40 hours per week/Occasional OT as this role would typically take place over preplanned plant outages/ shutdowns.

• Hours - 7:00 AM-3:30 PM – Flexible

#MSJR

Required Skills:

Application Monitoring, Automation Testing, Cloud Computing, Computer Control Systems, Control System Troubleshooting, Equipment Monitoring, Human Machine Interface (HMI), Incident Handling, Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure, IT Operation, Manufacturing Automation, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID), Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Systems Troubleshooting, Time Management

Preferred Skills:

Automation Engineering, Biopharmaceuticals, Cell Biology, Communications Infrastructure, Control Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Technology, Engineering Analysis, Fault Management, Hardware Design, ITIL Management, Ladders, Maintenance Management, Mechanical Engineering, Organizational Behavior, Pneumatics, Process Automations, Process Control, Process Improvements, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Project Documentation, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Teamwork, Technical Support, Troubleshooting

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

04/3/2026

*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.