2027 Future Talent Program - Manufacturing Intern
Job Description
Our vision is to make a difference in the lives of people globally through our innovative medicines, vaccines, and animal health products. We are committed to being the premier, research-intensive biopharmaceutical company and we provide leading innovations and solutions for today and the future. Our core areas of focus include infectious diseases, oncology, and vaccines including Animal Health, livestock, companion animal, and aquaculture.
The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Manufacturing Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.
There are several roles within our Company's Durham site seeking interns to join us in summer 2027 including positions in Technical Operations, Operations/Supply Chain Management, Automation, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), and Quality. A “Safety First, Quality Always” mindset and drive for continuous improvement and innovation enable the Company to be a trusted and competitive supplier of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biologics, and animal health products to the world’s patients and customers.
Each intern completes one or more projects over a 10 to 12-week period beginning late May or early June 2027. This experience will provide the opportunity to develop yourself both technically and professionally, engage in the Company’s business and culture, and decide if we are the right company for your long-term career goals.
As an intern at our Durham location, you will have the opportunity to work collaboratively in one of the following areas:
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS INTERN:
Develop, optimize, and implement innovative manufacturing technologies and analytical methods
Use process modeling combined with statistical, data analytics, and data science tools to analyze and identify insights from process information
Support process technology development and transfer to commercial operation groups
Examine an issue from diverse perspectives (safety, compliance, automation, equipment, process, and people) to best understand and resolve the root cause
QUALITY INTERN:
Accountable for delivering on Durham Quality objectives
Support Quality Systems to ensure sitewide compliance
Support the Site Labs
Participate in department projects and ensure the realization of the specified results
Maintain the highest standard
OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT INTERN:
Actively participate on or support cross-functional teams to advance project goals and implement continuous improvement projects
Support formal problem solving and real-time troubleshooting efforts of unplanned events to ensure reliable supply of Durham manufactured vaccines
Author and/or update GMP documentation
AUTOMATION INTERN:
Support the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of process automation and control systems
Utilize data from automated equipment to analyze process performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
Author or update technical documentation related to automated systems
Education:
Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, science, or related disciplines
Candidates must have a minimum of one year completed (prior to application) of undergraduate work in an engineering or science related major
Required:
Available for a 10 to 12-week internship beginning in late May or early June 2027
Current student with an expected graduation date between Fall 2027 and Spring 2029
Candidates graduating in Spring 2027 must be pursuing a graduate degree program and plan to return to school in Fall 2027
Preferred:
Ability to work independently and in teams
Effective problem-solving, collaboration, and written and oral communication skills
Previous process development, research, or manufacturing experience
Strong technical competency and a desire to innovate
Experience in computer programming, modeling, data science, and/or data analytics
Candidates should have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We do not provide employer visa sponsorship for this position.
Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.
Salary range:
The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111
FTP2027
MD2027
SWE
NSBE
SHPE
Required Skills:
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:
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
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:
Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)Relocation:
No relocationVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
1st - DayValid Driving License:
YesHazardous Material(s):
noJob Posting End Date:
11/9/2026*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.