Job Description
Position Description:
The SME Associate Director, Electrical & Utilities Engineer is a member of the Plant Engineering team providing direct hands on technical support to the Durham Site. The site includes an Energy Center, Vaccines DP and DS Manufacturing Facilities, Quality Labs, various other manufacturing buildings and Maintenance and Material Storage Facility (MMSF). This support position will focus on leading investigation of Electrical system excursions, engineering maintenance, design system improvements and optimizations and hands on troubleshooting. This individual will provide input to the deviation investigation process for determination of root cause, recommend corrective actions to prevent re-occurrence and help assess the impact on operations. The incumbent will also be responsible for leading plant engineering's improvement projects and implementation of productivity enhancement initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Individual contributor role working with Staff and Technician employees and/or contractors.
Contributes to the performance and results of the department.
Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges.
Decisions are guided by policies, procedures, engineering design guidelines and business plan; receives guidance from manager when necessary.
Provides & Implements technical guidance to given tasks, employees, colleagues or contractors
Anticipates and interprets client and/or customer needs to identify solutions
Works as a liaison between Plant Engineering and other Site Business Partner's
Team member for small capital projects for plant engineering
Ensures utility operations daily priorities and schedules project/work meeting the criteria established by site objectives.
Support & lead Utility equipment related projects, scope including but not limited to acquiring funding, change control, installation & integration, commissioning, and equipment qualification.
Obtains bids, reviews contracts, supervises, and follows-up on contract work including.
Actively participates in, contributes to, and completes items within shutdown schedule including all maintenance, calibration, assigned capital project work, and support Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) operations for all facility shutdowns
Coordinates with Site Engineering and Integrated Process Team (IPT) production planners
Attends daily shutdown meetings ensuring owned activities are tracked and completed
Develops detailed understanding of design, construction, control and maintenance of building systems and process equipment. Provides technical support and training to mechanics and other maintenance personnel.
Interface with safety, production, and quality groups to ensure facility operations and systems comply with required standards.
Lead/ participate in discussions with contractors, vendors, or other third-party organizations as necessary to ensure consistency with overall maintenance and reliability objectives.
Participate in cross-functional teams for engineering Operations projects, or other plant activities as needed.
Works to streamline and improve Maintenance department systems, procedures and ways of working with a focus on safety, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) compliance and efficiency.
Define requirements and specifications for equipment.
Manage the implementation of new equipment and/or the modifications to existing equipment
Be the lead with regards to installation, upgrades, and dependability issues, and lead or assist in trouble shooting processes or equipment issues.
Ability to work independently, set priorities, and drive results at the same time able to work on a production team driving team goals.
Work hands on to troubleshoot and understand electrical system and equipment issues around the site.
BUSINESS EXPERTISE:
Applies skills to align work activities with department objectives
Project management (manages project priorities - schedule & cost, installation).
Extensive industrial experience involving utility system generation, distribution and controls are needed. Engineer must be have in depth experience (without further skills training) working with industrial electrical distribution (low/medium voltages), HVAC/R systems, utility generation equipment, PLC's, VFD's, and automation (BAS) systems in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)environment.
Must be fully aware of requirement specifications from a qualification perspective (IC/OC, IQ/OQ, CRs, etc.)
Actively search for ideas and ways to reduce expenses and improve quality without compromising superior customer service.
FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE:
Lead in the identification and implementation of process improvement projects, productivity initiatives and corrective actions while focusing on equipment up-time, minimizing cost and maintaining process consistency
Provide input to investigate deviations (both minor and major), with responsibility to interface with Operations, Global Vaccine Technology (GVTE), Automation, and Quality approvers.
Perform a thorough review of design & engineering records and related Good Manufacturing Practices documentation, identifying and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner, and implementing corrective actions to improve the execution/review process for equipment.
Develop training material. Working as a subject matter expert (SME), provide necessary training for system maintenance.
Work alongside operations and lean six sigma team members to develop reliable, consistent manufacturing processes that meet current Good Manufacturing Practices requirements.
Knowledgeable of all utility systems regarding functionally of equipment and relied on as SME during regulatory discussions for Electrical and Automation and the commissioning of that equipment.
PROBLEM SOLVING:
Identifies and resolves technical and operational problems; collaborates with peers to resolve problems that cross into inter-related units
The successful candidate must have strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach to problem solving. The successful candidate should be able to examine an issue from diverse perspectives (safety, compliance, automation, equipment, process, and people) in order to best understand and identify root cause and then fix then fix implement corrective and preventative actions to prevent repeat failures.
Responsible for the identification, development, and implementation of new systems which enhances the operation of Plant Engineering processes.
Assist with trouble shooting Plant Engineering equipment on an as needed basis which includes but limited to chillers, boiler, AHUs, PLCs, humidifiers/dehumidifies, water systems, Square D controllers/monitors, clean steam generators, refrigeration systems, and cryogenic storage.
Perform engineering task as needed to maintain plant utilities equipment.
IMPACT:
Influence
Explains difficult concepts and persuades others to adopt point of view.
Communicates information, asks questions and checks for understanding. Provide clarification in person and in writing for streamlined communication.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountable for their own performance and performance of plant engineering systems and maintenance.
DECISION MAKING
Makes decisions - guided by policies, guidelines, design practices, and procedures - that impact the department's ability to meet performance objectives
Consults on an as-needed basis with next-level manager on more complex decisions and/or issues that impact other units with inter-related processes
STRATEGIC PLANNING:
Adapts and implements departmental plans and priorities based on division scorecard to address local business, service and operational challenges
Consults on an as-needed basis with next-level manager for newly identified priorities.
Lead initiatives and see through to completion.
Responsible for the identification and implementation of preventative and predictive maintenance programs to assure compliance with quality, regulatory, and reliability requirements and goals.
Track maintenance and reliability metrics and key performance indicators. Benchmark performance indicators against industry data. Look for continuous improvements opportunities
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:
Forecasts resource needs; manages allocated expense budgets
Forecasts resource needs; manages allocated resources to implement projects
Working Relationships
Reports to Plant Engineering Manager
Frequent interaction with employees from other departments
Interacts with representatives from regulatory agencies
Collaborates with the production area maintenance technicians and engineers to maintain utility up-time for all production equipment.
Identifies revisions, deletions, or additions to the calibration and maintenance programs to ensure that calibration and maintenance activities are completed in accordance with established safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and calibration/maintenance procedures.
Establish processes that ensure required Safety guidelines are followed and participates in divisional Safety Audit activities
Assists in deviation investigations for maintenance instruments, equipment, and systems.
Position Qualifications:
Education Minimum Requirement:
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Science or related field
Required Experience and Skills:
Eight years of experience with an Engineering or production and/or calibration and/or maintenance background
Strong planning, scheduling, and time management skills
Knowledge of regulatory requirements in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice manufacturing operations
Good oral and written communication skills
Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practice compliant calibration and maintenance databases
Experience with formal problem-solving techniques, such as root cause analysis (RCA), failure mode effects analysis (FMEA, and/or Lean Six Sigma tools.
Knowledge of "World Class" maintenance practices is paramount (e.g. PMs, RCM, PdM, etc.) and their implementation.
Fully proficient in understanding the functionality of all utility generation equipment (e.g. electrical distribution, HVAC/R, and utility generation equipment.
Electrical & Automation system process improvement, design, and optimization experience
Technical writing and deviation investigation experience
Experience in problem solving and hands on troubleshooting
Computer skills desired: Microsoft Project, Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word, AutoCAD and Business Objects.
Understanding and exposure to basic machine controls.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
CMMS experience related to plant maintenance and spare parts procurement systems
Project management, including change control and equipment qualification
SAP experience related to plant maintenance and spare parts procurement systems
Familiarity with current Good Manufacturing Practices experience in a sterile, bulk or finished pharmaceutical environment
Experience in automation and manufacturing execution systems (MES), process modeling and process improvement.
Mechanical functionality and reliability knowledge (asset management)
Green Belt/Black Belt Certification
Professional Engineer
VETJOBS
Required Skills:
Analytical Problem Solving, Deviation Management, Electrical Design Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering, Equipment Qualification, GMP Compliance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Leadership, Power Systems, Process Improvement Projects, Project Management, Strategic Planning, System Maintenance, Utility Plant Operations
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 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.
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
$139,600.00 - $219,700.00
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 ;br>
You 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:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
25%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
11/17/2025
*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.
Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.
- Dice Id: MERCK
- Position Id: c256224ab2034312864431d945a4f2c
- Posted 8 hours ago
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