Principal Scientist – Device Technical and Engineering Lead (Director Equivalent)

Job Description

Principal Scientist – Device Technical and Engineering Lead (Director Equivalent)

Our company’s Device Product & Process Development (DPPD) Team designs, develops, and commercializes novel biologic/drug/vaccine - device enabled combination products to achieve safe and effective delivery to their intended site of action.  The DPPD Team manages the development of the device constituent of our company’s pipeline of combination products across a variety of therapy areas and routes of administration including inhalation, implantation, and injection. 

This position will be responsible for applying their knowledge of product and process development in the (bio)pharmaceutical and/or medical device industries to set tactical and strategic direction on programs they lead to ensure high quality products and robust manufacturing processes.   This position interacts extensively with subject-matter experts on the DPPD team and members of internal cross-functional product development teams from concept through product launch.  Additionally, the position will ensure products and processes are developed in accordance with applicable regulatory, quality, company, and customer requirements. 

This position will lead cross-functional development teams within and external to Device Development & Technology. The incumbent must be able to work well with all levels of employees and be able to effectively coordinate the execution of device development strategies. This individual will be expected to apply his/her knowledge of product design and development; manufacturing process development, qualification, and validation; and design control and risk management techniques to positively support and influence clinical and commercial combination product development and launches.

Principal Responsibilities

Lead and set direction for the device development strategy for multiple drug-device combination product development programs ranging from concept generation/selection, development, verification, and validation to launch readiness:

• Lead the cross-functional Device Working Groups to ensure full integration of the device development activities with the clinical, regulatory, formulation, commercial and other key company functions.

• Lead the Device Development Engineering Core teams focused on development of design requirements for the combination product and engineering execution against the established requirements.

• Represent Device Development and the project-specific Device Working Groups on cross-functional teams, including the Development and Commercialization Team (DCT). Additionally, maintain engagement with Early Development Teams (EDT) and Product Development Teams (PDT).

• Serve as key point-of-contact with potential external device designers, developers, and suppliers for selected device technology platforms.

• Oversee and serve as a technical integrator of all device development activities including engineering design, engineering analysis and testing, medical device design controls, risk management, test method/fixture development, design verification and validation, injection molding, automated assembly, and human factors analysis.

• Proactively anticipate and resolve project obstacles and effectively communicate complex product technical challenges, device development strategy, timelines, milestones, and risks within our Company and with external suppliers

• Author and review relevant portions of the regulatory submissions (INDs, IMPDs, NDAs, BLAs, etc.) for combination product programs under your leadership.

• Lead/support/oversee clinical supplies production with respect to device component manufacture and final assembly of biologic/drug product with device constituent part.

• Lead/support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Device Development and Device Project Leader processes, procedures, and tools.

• Maintain a high level of engagement in the program-specific design controls process and design history file development.

• Stay current with new device technologies, relevant worldwide regulations, standards, and effectively share this knowledge with others.

• Enhance our Company’s professional image and competitive advantage through publications, presentations, patents, and professional activities.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• B.A./B.S in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial and System Engineering,  or other types of engineering plus a minimum of 10 years of combined experience in medical device and combination product development. Advanced degree is preferred.

• 5+ years of leadership experience with deep working knowledge of device, biologic/drug product, and process development including regulatory submission and approval processes. Including development drug-device combination product or a medical device component of a combination product.

• 5+ years of leadership experience of managing complex device or combination product development programs and leading cross-disciplinary project teams.

• Has broad knowledge of medical device development, design controls and risk management, alongside deep knowledge in device design, requirement management, design verification, automation/process development, design validation, and control strategy.

• Knowledge of U.S. and global medical device and healthcare regulations, including FDA combination products cGMP, Quality System Regulation, FDA Human Factors guidance, ISO 14971, 11608 and 11040, EN 62366, Council Directive 93/42/EEC, etc.

• Proven track record of applying analytical skills in product design, development, and validation

• Self-motivated with ability to work independently

• Proven ability to lead team members of diverse skill sets and backgrounds

• Strong interpersonal skills and a strategic thinker; able to influence without formal authority; ability to influence and present ideas to senior leadership

• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, project management, and organizational skills

• Experience with leading complex development projects at an enterprise level

• Willing to travel

• Able to multi-task continuously

Required Skills:

Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Combination Products, Communication, Computer Science, Cross-Functional Communications, Design Controls, Detail-Oriented, Device Development, Extensive Traveling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Human Factor Engineering, Injection Moldings, Machine Learning (ML), Manufacturing Processes, Mechanical Testing, Medical Device Management, Medical Device Quality Systems, Medical Device Regulations, Medical Devices, Medical Devices Design, Process Development Engineering, Process Manufacturing, Product Design, Production Process Development {+ 4 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.

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The salary range for this role is

$153,800.00 - $242,200.00

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

08/1/2026

*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.