SPO Mechanical Technician

Job Description

The Sterile and Packaging Operations Technician is accountable for performing all preventative and corrective maintenance support for formulation, primary filling, inspection, and/or packaging equipment within their area of assignment for the start-up vaccine manufacturing facility at the West Point, Pa Site.  This position will also be accountable for providing shop floor operations and environmental monitoring support to their area of assignment.  This position will be an individual contributor and member of the Operations team within the Vaccines integrated process team.

This will be a hybrid role focused on startup and future routine operation of the pod vaccine manufacturing facility.  The role will be accountable for ensuring that Environmental Health and Safety and GMP compliance is maintained for their area of assignment.  

This role will also be accountable for troubleshooting and problem-solving equipment related issues and ensuring 100% PM compliance within their area of assignment.

Responsibilities

Delivery

• Set up, adjust, repair, and maintain vaccines formulation, primary filling, inspection, and packaging equipment within the pod vaccine manufacturing facility

• Execute and develop preventative maintenance for vaccine processing and packaging equipment

• Conduct corrective maintenance and troubleshooting for vaccine processing and packaging equipment utilizing diagnostic equipment and programmable logic controllers as necessary

• Partner with operators to execute manufacturing operations tasks within the pod vaccine manufacturing facility

• Use technical information, drawings, diagrams, and schematics to aid in equipment maintenance troubleshooting and repairs

• Disassemble and inspect parts and equipment to determine the cause of improper operation | Make repairs using replacement parts and machine fabrications | Reassemble equipment with new or repaired parts

• Minor and major overhauls to vaccine processing equipment by completely disassembling, repairing, and reassembling equipment to proper operation condition

• Assemble and millwright functions in the receipt and installation of new equipment

Compliance

• Accountable for performing work in a safe manner, following identified safety procedures (hazardous work permitting, and using applicable safety equipment/personnel protective equipment

• Implement maintenance and operations functions in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)

• Complete documentation in batch record and/or computerized maintenance management system in accordance with site procedure

• Maintain good housekeeping and 5S in assigned work area

• Adhere to the highest level of data integrity while performing maintenance and operations duties

• Ensure that work and adjustments performed within the pods is properly documented and executed in alignment with change management procedures

• Assist in the investigation, root cause determination, and Corrective Action and Preventive Action implementation for equipment or personnel related compliance discrepancies noted during day to day activities and/or audits | Escalate as per IPT management processes

Cost

• Participate in new equipment installations by interfacing with equipment vendors, recommending spare parts, selecting lubrication, assisting process-project engineers, assisting qualification, and performing initial de-bug for vaccines processing and packaging equipment

• Ensure that startup activities for area of assignment are managed such that project deliverables and timelines are well defined in advance and met

• Closely monitor equipment performance and improve reliability through problem solving and continuous improvement

• Clean and lubricate equipment periodically and perform other maintenance work required to ensure efficient equipment operation

• Determine proper equipment settings, clearances, and set-up standard work and respond effectively to equipment malfunctions to promote optimal productivity with minimal delays or discards

• Recommend continuous improvement, productivity, and capital projects for the IPT

Team

• Assist engineers and equipment vendors in new equipment installation including completion of qualification documentation

• Provide technical and GMP guidance to outside contractors when they are performing work on process equipment

• Act as liaison to the Utilities maintenance and Calibration teams

• Maintain a culture of continuous improvement and focused on standard work, making problems visible, minimizing waste, reducing process variability, and problem solving

Education Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent and five (5) years of industrial maintenance experience or two (2) year technical degree with three (3) years of maintenance experience or equivalent

Experience and Skills

Required

• Demonstrated industrial maintenance, mechanical, and electrical skills

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment utilizing a systematic approach to understand problems and determine appropriate solutions

• Ability to read and understand electrical prints, P&IDs, and control loop diagrams

• Demonstrated ability to work independently as team member

• Ability to gown and work in an aseptic environment

• Willing to work irregular hours to support multi-shift operation 

Preferred

• Maintenance experience within a vaccine, pharmaceutical, or GMP regulated environment

• Aseptic filling, qualified inspection processes, systems, pharmaceutical packaging and serialization/aggregation

• Working in a regulated environment (FDA, etc.) and basic knowledge of cGMPs as they apply to the vaccine/pharmaceutical industry

• Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Problem Solving, and Right First-Time methodologies

• Systems Applications and Products / Manufacturing Execution System basic knowledge from either or production execution perspective

• Working knowledge of machine shop equipment (lathe, drill press, grinder, milling equipment, welding, power cutting tools, etc.)

• Ability to perform or support technical writing of documents such as preventive maintenance procedures (PMs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs)

• Demonstrated ability and drive to work autonomously and help organize priorities and work for other team members

• Outstanding communication skills both within direct team and across multiple shifts to ensure success of overall team

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VETJOBS

Required Skills:

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Preferred Skills:

Packaging Equipment, Process Equipment

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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

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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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

2nd - Evening, 3rd - Night

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/30/2026

*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.

Requisition ID:R413097