Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

Job Description

Entry-Level Automation Associate Specialist

Location: Elkton VA 12Hour Rotating Shifts

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity with a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturer If so this role offers a unique opportunity to launch your engineering career supporting highly automated lifesaving manufacturing operations.

At our Elkton Virginia campus located in the Shenandoah Valley along the Shenandoah River and near the Blue Ridge Mountains we are seeking entrylevel engineers to support and sustain manufacturing operations through handson automation technical support in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Position Overview

This role is an operationsfocused shopfloor automation support position. The successful candidate will work 12hour rotating shifts serving as firstline technical support for automated manufacturing systems that produce pharmaceutical biopharmaceutical and vaccine products.

You will apply your technical skills problemsolving ability and enthusiasm as part of a crossfunctional multidisciplinary team responsible for ensuring safe compliant and reliable manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide handson automation technical support across the manufacturing site while working 12hour rotating shifts (days/nights weekends and holidays as required)
• Serve as the initial point of contact for shopfloor automation support calls
• Troubleshoot and support automation systems including:
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
  • Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
  • Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) automation platforms
• Diagnose and resolve complex automation and equipment issues impacting:
  • Manufacturing yield
  • Cycle time
  • Reliability and uptime
• Maintain automation systems in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)
• Oversee investigations of automation anomalies and implement solutions to prevent recurrence

• Develop solutions for recurring automation problems and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide automation-related training and technical guidance to operations and technical staff
• Write review and improve procedures for system administration and process operation
• Participate in process and equipment safety reviews
• Embrace and promote an empowered diverse and inclusive team culture

Education Minimum Requirement

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering Science or Business

Required Qualifications

• Strong technical and analytical problemsolving skills with a handson fieldfirst mindset
• Ability to evaluate issues from multiple perspectives including safety compliance maintenance automation equipment process and people
• Strong desire to succeed individually while helping others succeed as a team
• Enthusiastic confident selfstarter with a passion for continuous learning
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability and expectation to work onsite in an operational manufacturing setting

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Degree focus in mechanical engineering electrical engineering chemical engineering computer science integrated science or physics
• Prior experience in manufacturing engineering science or military environments
• Familiarity with or interest in automated manufacturing systems and control platforms
• Exposure to:
  • Emerson DeltaV
  • AllenBradley PLCs
  • OSIPI
  • SQL
  • Infobatch
• Knowledge of Batch Processing and S88 standards
• Awareness of Good Automated Manufacturing Practice (GAMP) standards
• Strong personal motivation to work for a company dedicated to saving and improving lives
• Interest in building a diverse longterm career within an active manufacturing campus

Required Skills:

Audit Management Automation Automation Solutions Automation Technology Breakdown Maintenance Business Process Improvements Control Logic Data Management Design Automation Design for Maintainability Electrical Engineering Learning Agility Manufacturing Manufacturing Systems Mechanical Engineering Problem Management Process Implementations Process Safety Production Management Quality Management Real-Time Programming Reliability Improvement Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) System Operations Technical Training

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.

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 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 anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

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

The salary range for this role is

$71900.00 - $113200.00

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 employees 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 can apply for this role through (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:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day 2nd - Evening 3rd - Night

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

na

Job Posting End Date:

10/15/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.