Digital Quality & Lab Instrument Senior Specialist
Prague - Czech Republic
Job Summary
Job Description
Our Digital Quality & Lab (DQ&L) Instrument & Material Management team operates as a business partner proposing ideas and innovative solutions that enable new organizational capabilities. As we digitize and integrate analytical instruments across the enterprise we are enabling modern efficient and connected laboratories that support high quality science and manufacturing.
The DQ&L Instrument Senior Specialist reports to the Laboratory Instruments & Materials Management Product Owner. The DQ&L Instrument Senior Specialist will lead implementation configuration and lifecycle management for analytical and analytical ancillary test instruments/systems within the digital validation system. The successful candidate will work across functional boundaries to define requirements lead testing execute full SDLC deliverables and ensure compliant efficient digital laboratory workflows to drive efficiency and compliance across our global quality and manufacturing labs.
Responsibilities:
Lead the technical implementation configuration and sustainment of instrument and systems across global labs
Collaborate with laboratory users quality teams and IT partners to understand business processes and translate them into digital and technical requirements
Support project completion in-line with established timescales through collaboration with teams and cross-functional stakeholders
Develop execute and maintain full SDLC documentation for laboratory instrument systems and digital integration solutions
Revise current instrument/system specific global SDLC qualification documentation in-line with Lab Transformation program including instrument integration
Participate in global project teams delivering new digital capabilities and enhancements for laboratory operations
Maintain SDLC documentation templates in-line with updates to QMS ensuring harmonization across divisions
Maintain a list of compliant instrument/system standards for the network
Evaluate new instruments/systems for compliance to data integrity technical requirements and digital capabilities ensuring software and hardware meet specifications partnering closely with vendors and site representatives
Lead instrument/system demonstrations in partnership with vendors and site representatives from a business use and compliance perspective
Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors clearly conveying our company expectations/requirements for compliant data management
Requirements:
Degree in life science (e.g. Microbiology Chemistry Biochemistry) IT or engineering discipline
Strong background in pharmaceutical quality laboratory or manufacturing operations
Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience supporting robust testing strategies execution and review of SDLC deliverables for laboratory instrumentation systems
Deep technical & working knowledge of laboratory instrumentation standalone & client server applications i.e. LabX
Demonstrated experience executing SDLC deliverables for standalone COTS systems in GMP environments using Digital Validation Systems e.g. Kneat eVal X-Ray TOSCA and Robot
Deep understanding of computerized systems IT SDLC and corresponding business processes and qualification principles
Handson experience with change control test automation and requirements management tools
Demonstrates a strong scientific background and takes ownership when engaging directly with laboratory instrumentation ensuring responsibility for accurate operation troubleshooting and optimisation of instrument performance
In depth knowledge of Data Integrity regulations and requirements including FDA 21 CFR Part 11 EU Annex 11 knowledge and application
Excellent written verbal and visual communication skills with the ability to describe technical concepts to nontechnical stakeholders
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a matrixed fastmoving environment
Nice to Haves:
Strong analytical problem-solving and communication skills written and verbal
Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a customer-focused mindset
Detail-oriented with a commitment to quality and compliance
Proven project management skills
Prior Experience with direct use of lab instrumentation and digital lab systems
Working knowledge of FAIR data principles JSON schemas and data modeling
Experience with instrument integration to LES systems (e.g. Biovia LES MODA)
Familiarity with Scitara DLX or other instrument integration middleware. AWS Associate certification or equivalent cloud experience
Experience with Allotrope Ontologies or Allotrope Simple Models
Experience with TOSCA XRay and digital validation platforms such as Kneat
Handson experience with laboratory networking infrastructure concepts or instrument interfacing
Prior commercial or QC lab experience
Core Competencies:
Strong analytical and problem solving skills
Customer focused mindset and continuous improvement orientation
Ability to communicate with clarity and influence diverse groups
Adaptability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape
High attention to quality compliance and documentation rigor
Required Skills:
Biochemistry Chemistry Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Software GMP Testing Information Technology (IT) Laboratory Operations Manufacturing Microbiology Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)Preferred Skills:
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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:
RegularRelocation:
No relocationVISA Sponsorship:
YesTravel Requirements:
10%Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
N/AJob Posting End Date:
04/12/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more