Powerhouse Assistant Chief Engineer

Job Description

The Assistant Chief Engineer reports to the Associate Director of Engineering and is responsible for supervising Power Plant operating personnel while ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient production and distribution of utility services supporting the Rahway site.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the safe and efficient operation of Power Plant equipment within established design parameters to provide reliable utility services for site operations.

• Maintain operational control of the Steam Plant (up to 900 psi), Electric Cogeneration Plant (15 MW capacity), Demineralized Water Plant, compressed air systems, potable water distribution systems, and process cooling tower operations.

• Continuously monitor Power Plant operations through review of operating logs, maintenance records, control systems, communications, and field conditions. Investigate discrepancies, implement corrective actions, and recommend operational and equipment improvements.

• Oversee water chemistry testing programs to ensure compliance with standards for potable water, demineralized water, boiler feedwater, and cooling water systems. Respond appropriately to deviations and system upsets.

• Provide first-line supervision for twenty-four (24) licensed hourly operators in a 24/7 operating environment.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, Code of Conduct requirements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

• Establish performance expectations, foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture, support employee development, and address labor relations matters and grievance resolution processes.

• Coordinate plant operations to optimize reliability, efficiency, safety, environmental compliance, and utility quality.

• Partner with maintenance, engineering, environmental, and site operations teams to support plant performance and continuous improvement initiatives.

  

Required Education 

• • H.S. Diploma or Equivalent
• New Jersey Gold Seal Boiler Operator License required.

Required Experience

•  Minimum of 5 years of experience in utility, power generation, steam plant, cogeneration, or industrial plant operations.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or leadership experience in an industrial or utility environment.
• Experience overseeing boilers, turbines, water treatment, and utility distribution systems.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is preferred.

Required Skills

•  Strong knowledge of steam generation, cogeneration systems, water treatment processes, and utility distribution systems.
• Working knowledge of industrial safety practices, environmental compliance requirements, and operating procedures.
• Ability to analyze operational data, troubleshoot complex system issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a 24/7 critical utility environment.
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems, plant control systems, and Microsoft Office applications.

Licenses/Certifications

• New Jersey Gold Seal Boiler Operator License required.
• Additional utility or power plant operating licenses and certifications are preferred.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong operational leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to safety, reliability, compliance, and continuous improvement while supporting critical utility services for the Rahway site.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, cGMP Compliance, Codes of Conduct, Collective Bargaining, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Corrective Action Management, Decision Making, Electromechanical Troubleshooting, Employee and Labor Relations, Employee Grievances, Facility Operations, HVAC Systems, Inventory Management, Maintenance Management, Operational Efficiency, People Leadership, Plant Maintenance, Power Plant Operations, Production Scheduling, Product Safety Standards, Safety Compliance, Steam Generators, Systems Troubleshooting, Technical Support {+ 2 more}

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

The salary range for this role is

$106,200.00 - $167,200.00

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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

08/7/2026

*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.