Robotics & Automation, Tech Lead/Surgical Robotics - OTTAVA

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world.  We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual.  At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Supply Chain Engineering

Job Sub Function:

Automation Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Santa Clara, California, United States of America

Job Description:

Johnson & Johnson RAD (Robotics and Digital) is seeking for a Robotics & Automation, Tech Lead – OTTAVA, for our Santa Clara, Location.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com 

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit. 

About MedTech Surgery 

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments. 

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world’s most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Patients are waiting. 

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech 

Purpose

Johnson & Johnson RAD (Robotics and Digital) is seeking a highly experienced Technical Lead, Robotics and Automation, to architect, develop, and scale next generation automation across manufacturing and warehouse operations. This role will lead a high caliber team to design and deploy end-to-end solutions—designing automation solutions ranging from robotic cells and semi-reconfigurable automated assembly solutions to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), smart workstations, and IoT enabled workflows. The role blends hands-on technical depth with strategic leadership, ensuring robust system design, compliance, and seamless integration from the shop floor to our digital platforms. 

The successful candidate will deliver scalable, modular, and cost-effective automation solutions that improve cycle time, quality, efficiency, and agility in production. 

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead the robotics/automation technology strategy and standards aligned to smart factory outcomes (safety, quality, OEE, cost, agility). 
• Own scalable architectures and roadmaps for robot cells, AMRs, smart workstations, and IoT/controls/software/data models. 
• Lead and mentor a small engineering team; drive end-to-end delivery from requirements and design through simulation/digital twin, safety, vendors, FAT/SAT, validation, and deployment. 
• Architect secure OT/IT integrations from robots/PLCs/sensors/vision/edge to MES/WMS and cloud analytics, ensuring cybersecurity and data governance. 
• Deploy smart workstations, HRC, and Track & Trace using IoT devices/smart tools and advanced UIs; pilot and scale emerging automation technologies (e.g., vision/3D perception, force/torque control). 
• Own functional safety and standards compliance for robot cells and AMR operations (e.g., ISO 10218/TS 15066, ISO 13849/IEC 62061, ISO 12100). 
• Partner with manufacturing, operations, quality, IT, and cybersecurity; evaluate/manage partners and system integrators through solution selection and deliver

Qualifications: 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field (Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer/Software, Industrial/Manufacturing, or related). 
• 8+ years delivering industrial automation in production, including 3+ years leading small teams and owning end-to-end delivery (concept/design through FAT/SAT, deployment, and handover). 
• Hands-on robotics and machine design: robot cells (assembly/material handling/dispensing/testing, incl. HRC), offline programming/simulation, controls (PLC/industrial PC, motion, networks/edge), and vision/sensing & EOAT/fixture interfaces. 
• Strong safety, quality, and validation mindset: functional safety/risk assessments (incl. PL calculations/safety PLCs) and practical validation strategies in manufacturing/warehouse environments. 
• OT/IT integration and smart factory: connect shop-floor systems to MES/WMS and cloud (data models + telemetry/event pipelines) with strong cybersecurity and data governance; familiarity with digital twins/APC and data-driven manufacturing. 
• Lead cross-functional programs and partners: evaluate/select vendors/SIs, influence stakeholders, mentor engineers, and drive results in ambiguous environments. 

Preferred: 

• Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments (e.g., medical devices, pharma, or other highly regulated industries) highly preferred. 
• Experience in AMR/AGV systems, fleet management, and integration with warehouse execution/management systems. 
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing, Automation, or a related technical field. 

Other:

• May require up to 10% of domestic and/or international travel 
• The attendance policy required for this role is fully onsite

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers , internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource. 

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

 

 

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$142,000.00 to $215,449.50

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees and/or eligible dependents are eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance. Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)). This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program. Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits: Vacation –120 hours per calendar year Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child Condolence Leave – 30 days for an immediate family member: 5 days for an extended family member Caregiver Leave – 10 days Volunteer Leave – 4 days Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours  Additional information can be found through the link below.  https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits