Senior Operations Engineer - Drug Product

Senior Operations Engineer supporting commissioning, qualification, and start-up of a new small molecule drug product manufacturing facility in Virginia. The role involves cross-functional collaboration to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Support commissioning, qualification, start-up, and operational readiness of new small molecule facility
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing plant start-up
• Provide technical and operational support during equipment start-up, troubleshooting, and process optimization
• Coordinate and prioritize improvement activities aligned with business objectives using lean principles and Merck Production System tools
• Help establish operating practices, standard work, and procedures that support reliable and compliant operations

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline
• Minimum 5 years of Drug Product/SDI manufacturing operations or technical operations experience
• Working knowledge of GMP, quality, and compliance in pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Experience with operational improvement, troubleshooting, process support, or facility start-up activities
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Technical teams
• Problem-solving and organizational skills in dynamic, fast-paced environments