Associate Director, Quality Assurance

Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Director of Device Quality and Regulatory (DQ&R), the Associate Director Quality Engineering & Quality Assurance is responsible for independent compliance support of Medical Devices including the device constituent part of Combination Products. This position will interact with cross functional teams working with all levels of employees. Activities will include developing, documenting, and maintenance of technical business solutions, reviewing and approving medical device/combination product documentation to support regulatory filings and audits of data, policies, procedures, and systems to ensure compliance with Medical Device (21CFR 820s) and Combination Product current Good Manufacturing ruling (21CFR part 4), Device Risk Management (ISO 14971) and other worldwide regulations and company requirements. This position provides Device quality engineering and quality assurance support and leadership to ensure successful quality oversight of prospective medical devices and medical device combination products.

Primary Activities

• Actively represent DQ&R Quality function on commercial and product/core development teams supporting quality issues related to medical devices or the device constituent of a combination product.
• Review and approve Design Control and Device Risk Management documentation for regulatory filings, clinical supply, development, design transfer qualification and post marketing surveillance. Evaluate deficiencies and assess impact on compliance status.
• Contribute to developing/revising policy and procedures for DQ&R Quality and/or supported areas.
• Remain informed of industry trends as described in worldwide regulations and industry standards.
• Provide guidance to our Manufacturing Division and our Research and Development Division device functions and other personnel to ensure end-to-end Design Control principles are implemented effectively.
• Participate in design reviews, CAPA reviews, and ad-hoc technical reviews of combination products.
• Participate in all stages of combo product development including but not limited to oversight of purchasing controls and supplier quality.
• Work with external partners to develop products.
• Review and approve verification/validation test protocols and reports to ensure that the testing is sufficient to meet regulatory requirements and quality objectives.
• Provide input to design and manufacturing documentation including material specifications, drawings, inspection procedures, and manufacturing procedures, to ensure that the resulting products can be adequately manufactured and tested.
• Facilitate translation of customer needs into critical to quality and design input/output requirements, including but not limited to chemical, physical, or performance specifications.
• Lead and manage development of Design and Development File deliverables for medical devices

Skills

7 years of relevant work experience.

Extensive knowledge of applicable medical device regulations (21CFR820, 21CFR Part 4, EU MDR, ISO 13485).

Experience with Design Controls / CAPA / Purchasing Controls as it related to 21CFR820.

Risk Management experience (ISO 14971/24971, ICH Q9).

Effective communication skills and working knowledge of device development and commercialization, product approval, and/or regulatory inspection experience with medical devices.

Must be able to work independently within a cross functional framework and will involve detailed technical writing and review. A high degree of creative thinking, resourcefulness, and networking will be required to coordinate projects or solve problems.

Ability to work in a matrix organization and effective written and oral communicator.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Knowledge of current GMPs for combination products.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt or ASQ (American Society for Quality) certifications are preferred.
• Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Documentation Practices (QDP); and project management principles is desirable.
• Lean Six Sigma Principles and tools such as: DOEs, Root cause analysis and/or Problem-solving methods are desired.
• Experience in the use of root cause analysis and applied statistical techniques.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering or associated fields with a minimum of 7 years related experience OR a Master’s degree (Science or Engineering or associated fields) and 5 years related experience or a Ph.D. (Science or Engineering or associated fields) and 3 years of related experience.
• US based – NJ/PA or other US location.
• Travel – Yes, <10% of the time

Job Details

Regular employee status.

No relocation.

No VISA sponsorship.

10% travel requirement.

Remote flexible work arrangement.

Shift: 1st – Day.

Valid driving license: No.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Quick note: if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please let us know.

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.

Benefits

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.

Application Information

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.

Location Specific Notes

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.

Job Posting End Date

07/10/2026