Digital Quality & Lab Instrument Senior Specialist

Merck Merck · Pharma · Central Bohemian, Czech Republic

This role focuses on the implementation, configuration, and lifecycle management of analytical instruments and systems within a digital validation system in a pharmaceutical setting. It involves leading technical implementation, collaborating with stakeholders to define requirements, executing SDLC deliverables, and ensuring compliance with data integrity regulations. The role supports the digitization and integration of laboratory instruments to create efficient and connected labs.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead the technical implementation, configuration, and sustainment of instrument and systems across global labs
  2. Collaborate with laboratory users, quality teams, and IT partners to understand business processes and translate them into digital and technical requirements
  3. Support project completion in-line with established timescales, through collaboration with teams and cross-functional stakeholders
  4. Develop, execute, and maintain full SDLC documentation for laboratory instrument systems and digital integration solutions
  5. Revise current instrument/system specific global SDLC qualification documentation in-line with Lab Transformation program, including instrument integration

Skills

Required

  • 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
  • Hands‑on 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 non‑technical stakeholders
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a matrixed, fast‑moving environment

Nice to have

  • 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, X‑Ray, and digital validation platforms such as Kneat
  • Hands‑on experience with laboratory networking, infrastructure concepts, or instrument interfacing
  • Prior commercial or QC lab experience

What the JD emphasized

  • Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience supporting robust testing strategies, execution, and review of SDLC deliverables for laboratory instrumentation systems
  • Deep understanding of computerized systems, IT, SDLC and corresponding business processes and qualification principles
  • In depth knowledge of Data Integrity regulations and requirements including FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11 knowledge and application