Senior Project Engineer

Job Description

Are you an experienced engineer with a passion for capital projects, technology transfers, and operational excellence? As a Senior Project Engineer you'll play a key role in bringing innovative pharmaceutical products and packaging technologies to patients worldwide.

As part of our Packaging Technical Operations (PTO) team, you will lead complex packaging and device assembly projects, support new product introductions, and drive process improvements that enhance reliability, quality, and performance. This is a highly visible role requiring strong technical expertise, project leadership, and cross-functional collaboration across local and global teams.

About the Team

Packaging Technical Operations supports the design, implementation, qualification, and lifecycle management of packaging and device assembly equipment at our Haarlem site. Our team manages capital projects, technology transfers, and process innovation initiatives that enable the successful launch and supply of critical medicines. We partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Global Engineering Solutions, and international sites to deliver best-in-class solutions.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Project Engineer, you will:

• Lead end-to-end execution of packaging and device assembly projects, including technology transfers, capital investments, process improvements, and new product introductions.
• Drive design, engineering, qualification, startup, validation (PPQ), and project closeout activities while ensuring compliance with GMP, safety, and quality requirements.
• Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, risks, vendors, and cross-functional teams to deliver business objectives.
• Develop and present business cases, capital requests, and project proposals to governance and approval bodies.
• Conduct feasibility studies, engineering trials, machineability assessments, and risk evaluations to support sound technical and business decisions.
• Act as Equipment Subject Matter Expert (SME), supporting startup activities, troubleshooting, and process robustness improvements.
• Collaborate with global and site teams to transfer packaging and device assembly technologies into commercial operations.
• Lead Quality Risk Assessments and support internal and external audits as a technical expert.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, suppliers, and OEM partners to ensure successful project execution and long-term equipment performance.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence, continuous improvement, and innovation.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Automation, or related Engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in engineering, packaging technology, process technology, automation, or capital project execution.
• Proven experience leading medium-to-large engineering projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong project management, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing external vendors, contractors, and equipment suppliers.
• Knowledge of GMP-regulated manufacturing environments, ideally within pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotech, food, or chemical industries.
• Fluent English communication skills; Dutch language proficiency is highly desirable.
• Ability to influence diverse stakeholders and work effectively in international, cross-functional teams.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary, based on your knowledge and experience.
• A 3% year-end payment and an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• At least 35.5 days of annual leave.
• Travel expense reimbursement and a solid pension plan.
• A high-quality company restaurant serving fresh and healthy meals daily.
• On-site sports facilities, including classes such as boxing, Zumba, and Pilates.
• Excellent coffee prepared by a professional barista.
• A large game room featuring darts, table football, a pool table, and table tennis.
• Mental wellbeing support through Lyra Health for both you and your family members.
• Access to a dedicated prayer and meditation room.

If you're not sure whether you meet every requirement for the role, we still encourage you to apply. We value motivation, learning agility, and collaboration, and we would be happy to explore together what you can bring to the team.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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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.

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