Senior Scientist, Small Molecule Chemical Engineering

Job Description

We are seeking a self-motivated individual to join our Chemical Commercialization Technology (CCT) department, part of our manufacturing division. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment with substantial technical responsibility and leadership of internal and external work. If you are passionate about developing safe and robust manufacturing processes and thrive in a dynamic setting, we invite you to apply.

The Senior Scientist, Engineering position leverages scientific/technical experience to develop safe and robust manufacturing processes through process characterization, technology transfer, validation, filing and supply support of late-stage projects in the small molecule pipeline.

The candidate will provide scientific expertise by learning and utilizing Quality Risk Management methodologies and tools for statistical design of experiments. This role involves hands-on experimentation at the laboratory bench and kilo lab scales in addition to technology transfer to commercial manufacturing facilities. The scientist will be expected to exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance, which will include following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and participating in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs). 

Responsibilities

• Develop safe and robust manufacturing processes through process characterization, technology transfer, validation, filing, and supply support of late-stage projects in the small molecule pipeline.
• Provide scientific expertise by learning and utilizing Quality Risk Management methodologies and tools for statistical design of experiments.
• Conduct hands-on experimentation at the laboratory bench and kilo lab scales.
• Transfer technology to commercial manufacturing facilities.
• Exhibit a mindset of safety and quality compliance, including following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs).
• Participate in risk assessments, deviation investigations, and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor of Science (BS)/Master of Science (MS) in Chemical Engineering with a minimum of five (5) years of required work experience. PhD in Chemical Engineering from an accredited college/university with no industry experience required.
• Relevant work experience in chemical process development.
• Demonstrated capability to develop and execute an experimental program to address issues of process design, robustness, and productivity.
• Highly effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Good organizational, interpersonal, writing, and time management skills.
• Ability to operate within a cross-functional process development team.

Preferred

• Experience performing lab-based research/process development, including performing unit operations common in small molecule drug substance process development such as chemical reactions, work-up, and crystallization.
• Experience leading regulatory file authoring, validation planning, and execution.
• Experience guiding internal/external technical discussions.
• Familiarity with statistical design and analysis tools.
• Experience with process scale-up and technology transfer, moving from laboratory to pilot plant or factory.
• Familiarity with concepts and application of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) ideally during pharmaceutical drug substance/drug product development and production.
• Experience with mathematical modeling, theoretical scaling calculations, and Quality by Design principles.

WE2026

Required Skills:

Bioreactors, cGMP Regulations, Chemical Processes, Chromatographic Techniques, Computational Design, Design of Experiments (DOE), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutics, Process Development (PD), Process Development Engineering, Process Optimization, Process Scale Up, Small Molecule Drug Development, Small Molecule Synthesis, Teamwork, Technology Transfer

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.

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The primary location for this posting is:

USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

11/17/2026

*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.