Robotic Operations Engineer - Pharmaceutical

Position Summary  

The Robotics Operations Engineer is the on-site operational lead for AstraZeneca’s robotic system in Tarzana, ensuring the effective day-to-day operation of automated manufacturing technologies within a biopharma environment. This individual works at the intersection of robotics, manufacturing, and operations, partnering with internal stakeholders and external collaborators to coordinate workflows, manage materials movement, and maintain system reliability. The role requires a highly proactive, organized, and hands-on engineer who can quickly resolve issues, support continuous operations, and help deliver high-uptime automated systems that contribute directly to improving patient outcomes. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities  

• Experience in robotic operations or automation support: Demonstrated ability to support, coordinate, or operate robotic, automated, or electromechanical systems in a production, laboratory, or technical environment. 

• Operational planning and scheduling skills: Ability to manage daily system schedules, coordinate testing activities, and align priorities across cross-functional teams to ensure efficient use of robotic resources. 

• System triage and recovery capability: Experience responding to system issues, performing recovery or restart procedures, and using mechanical or technical knowledge to identify probable causes of faults. 

• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills: Strong ability to diagnose operational issues, support root cause identification, and work effectively in fast-paced environments where system uptime is critical. 

• Issue tracking and documentation: Experience maintaining structured logs, issue trackers, or reporting systems to monitor system health, identify recurring trends, and communicate findings clearly. 

• Communication and stakeholder coordination: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide proactive status updates and collaborate effectively with internal teams, external partners, and on-site stakeholders. 

• Python scripting experience: Working knowledge of Python for basic scripting, test execution, validation support, and troubleshooting in support of software and system performance. 

• Cross-functional collaboration: Ability to partner effectively with engineering, product, and operational teams to support testing, issue resolution, and continuous improvement. 

Required Skills and Abilities  

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical discipline. 

• Minimum of 8+ years of professional experience in Robotic engineering, system integration, robotics operations, automation support, or a similar hands-on technical role. 

• Experience with robotic systems, automated manufacturing systems, or laboratory automation platforms. 

• Working knowledge of Python, including the ability to read existing code and write basic scripts to support testing, validation, automation, and troubleshooting activities. 

• Familiarity with AWS deployments, cloud-based production environments, and troubleshooting cloud-connected hardware systems. 

• Experience working in GxP, regulated, or other highly controlled operational environments. 

• Experience using monitoring, logging, or data visualization tools such as Grafana, Tableau, or similar platforms to track performance and reliability trends. 

• Strong mechanical and electromechanical troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose system issues and differentiate between hardware, software, and integration-related root causes. 

• Demonstrated ability to support and operate complex technical systems in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 

• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage schedules, coordinate operational activities, and prioritize multiple tasks effectively. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly across technical teams, operational stakeholders, and external partners. 

• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, product, and operations teams to support system uptime, issue resolution, and ongoing improvements. 

• Exposure to root cause analysis, issue tracking systems, and structured problem-solving methodologies in operational or engineering settings. 

• Experience supporting on-site live system recovery, and technical coordination between remote and local teams. 

• Comfort working in startup-style or rapidly evolving operational environments where flexibility, ownership, and initiative are essential. 

Physical & Working Condition: 

• Ability to reach, stoop, crouch, and kneel; this specifically includes the need to physically enter, stand, or crouch inside a robotic cluster for maintenance, cleaning, or intervention.  

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (e.g., equipment, replacement parts, tools) and lift up to 10 pounds overhead.  

• Ability to climb ladders, work in mechanical spaces and at heights, respond to after-hours calls 

• Manual dexterity required for using hand tools, cabling, and making mechanical adjustments.  

• Work is primarily performed in a manufacturing area adjacent to a laboratory setting. This requires adherence to strict safety protocols (e.g., Biosafety Level and awareness of surroundings. 

• Potential exposure to hazardous materials, including biological agents and cryogenic materials, while servicing equipment that handles these substances.  

• Required use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including lab coats, safety glasses, and gloves for extended periods during bio experiments.  

• This role requires the ability to work a standard schedule but may necessitate occasional evening or weekend work (or on-call availability) to respond to critical cluster issues or complete time-sensitive maintenance.