Senior Specialist, Engineering

Job Description

Durham's Technical Operations Senior Specialist will be an energetic, technical leader with strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills responsible for implementation of technology transfer process knowledge, license approval support, commercial process enhancement activities, and routine support of commercial manufacturing.

This position will primarily support the upstream fermentation and downstream purification processes for the technology transfer of our HPV vaccine drug substance. Additionally, this role will contribute to the performance and results of a department, provide technical guidance, and anticipate and interpret client and/or customer needs to identify and implement solutions. Off-shift and weekend coverage will be required based on business unit needs and specific assignments.

The role encompasses technical services support in the areas of equipment and automation systems, validation, deviation management and product franchise. Specific assignments may be focused in one area or span across multiple areas of focus.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Provide technical/team support and leadership for commercial technology transfer, and qualification studies associated with the development and implementation of processes, systems and facilities related to vaccine drug substance and key intermediates.
• Actively lead and participate on cross-functional manufacturing teams to advance project goals and deliverables related to the vaccine process
• Lead technical studies and author documentation associated with site commercialization efforts
• Provide deep SME knowledge for manufacturing investigations support (Product and process deviations and complex material-related)
• Lead structured problem solving for in-depth process and equipment investigations
• Lead timely resolution of manufacturing disruptions
• Collaborate with internal/external partners, e.g. Other sites, Procurement, Raw Material & Component Suppliers
• Develop effective data analytics methodologies, including statistical process control, deepening process understanding
• Author, review, and/or edit technical documents to support regulatory filings including technical reports and risk assessments
• Author and lead manufacturing and facility deviations
• Author or approve Change Control documentation for complex process, validation, analytical, equipment, facility/utility and/or automation changes. Managing on-time implementation and close-out to meet project, production and supply timelines.
• Lead aspects of regulatory inspections by presenting and defending technical documentation, investigations, and change controls
• Evaluate and develop innovative process technologies, continuous process improvements and post launch process enhancements
• Provide post approval support and subject matter expertise support to ongoing manufacturing activities.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or related life science field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience; a Master of Science Degree with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. with relevant academic experience.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience in vaccine or biologics manufacturing within a cGMP environment
• Experience authoring technical documentation (technical investigations, protocols, reports, or change controls) within a cGMP context.
• Proven leader with influence and outstanding communication (written & presentation) skills
• Experience with project strategic plan development and management
• Ability to foster a collaborative work environment focused on mentorship, coaching, and Subject Matter Expert development

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in bulk upstream and/or downstream vaccine processes within a cGMP environment
• Experience with culture media and/or buffer formulation processes
• Experience with Clean-in-Place and Sterilize-in-Place systems
• Experience with technology transfer methodologies for introduction/launch of a cGMP product
• Experience with on-the-floor cGMP manufacturing support including providing immediate responses on the shop floor to deviations and supply chain interruptions
• Authored complex process change control
• Authored complex deviation investigations
• Experience with validation documentation and execution
• Experience with SAP
• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Experience with Delta V
• Ability to provide scientific mentorship and guidance to technical colleagues
• Ability to read Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams is desired
• Lean Six Sigma belt certification
• Experience with process risk assessment tools
• Experience with responding to regulatory questions with multiple agencies (e.g.FDA, EMA)
• Experience with face to face presentation of technically complex subjects to regulatory inspectors

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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".

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

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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:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
05/9/2025
*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.