Experienced Automation, Robotics Engineer

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 https://www.jnj.com

Job Function:

R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function:

Robotics

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description:

About Innovative Medicine

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

We are searching for the best talent for an Experienced Automation, Robotics Engineer in Spring House, PA.

Purpose: We are on a mission to transform autologous CAR-T cell-therapy manufacturing with pioneering automation. You will help designing, integrating, and validating automated modular systems and mobile robots, solve and improve hardware and software, coordinate sophisticated process flows, work on novel verification and sterility-assurance approaches, author operational procedure documents, train operators and communicate seamlessly from the shop floor to senior leadership and external vendors. This role applies engineering and computer science principles to create and maintain robust, scalable automated production lines.

You will be responsible for:

Design & Deploy

• Contribute to the design, configuration, and deployment of automated systems and robotic modules for CAR-T manufacturing workflows (e.g. isolation, expansion, formulation, cryopreservation) under GMP.
• Assist in developing system architectures, user requirements, and design documentation (URS, DHF, traceability matrices).
• Participate in building and testing functional prototypes to assess feasibility and performance.
• Support the execution of FAT/SAT and PPQ protocols for system qualification and validation.

Solve & Improve

• Become equipment owner for assigned platforms; lead fixing and root-cause analysis across mechanical, software, vision and control systems.
• Recommend and implement improvements that advance system reliability, safety, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with vendors to evaluate and challenge proposed technologies or upgrades.

Maintain & Sustain

• Assist with operational support: supervising equipment performance, conducting scheduled maintenance, and resolving reliability issues.
• Help prepare and deliver user documentation (SOPs, O&M manuals, reports).
• Support audits, compliance activities, and regulatory inspections.

Optimize & Scale

• Help optimize multi-step production flows using control systems, dynamic scheduling, and batch orchestration.
• Participate in technology roadmap initiatives; lead components of automation subprojects—scope, timelines, and vendor coordination.
• Collaborate with QA, IT, OT, facilities, and other functions to align automation efforts across teams.
• Aid in risk assessments and mitigation planning for new technology deployments.
• Deliver operator training sessions, workshops, and competency assessments.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical, Automation, Robotics Engineering or related technical field is required.

Experience and Skills:

Required:

• Proven grounding in engineering and computer science principles for designing robotic components and mechanisms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, able to tailor messaging from operators to senior management and external partners.
• Independent, self-motivated, and comfortable driving ambiguity in fast-paced and sophisticated environments to meet tight timelines with minimum supervision while maintaining a positive demeanor.
• Experience handling or coordinating complex technical projects, including timelines, deliverables, planning, execution, and stakeholder coordination.
• Experience managing outsourced technical projects, including vendor selection, communication, and execution of key deliverables such as URS, FDS, FMEA, SAT, and FAT.
• Minimum of 3 years of practical experience with robotics platforms, automated systems, and control systems, preferably in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Applied experience with computer vision (passive/active) and AI/ML models and agents.
• Proven ability to solve complex systems and contribute to technical innovation
• Demonstrated ability to author SOPs, technical validation protocols and training materials.

Preferred:

• Experience in a pharmaceutical or GMP-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Technical knowledge of ISA S88/S95 systems, including Honeywell EBI, Emerson DeltaV, OSI Pi, Siemens PLCs, MES, SAP, and real-time data integration.
• Significant coding experience (e.g. Python, C++) and familiarity with Level 0/1 software.
• In-depth knowledge of innovative IT/OT infrastructure, software and hardware.
• Understanding of Industrial Automation Networks and Communication Protocols.
• Knowledge of facility design (utility systems, HVAC, Grade C/D/CNC requirements).
• Experience with simulation or digital-twin software.
• Experience with RFID technology.

Other:

• This hands-on position will be based in the US (East Coast, Spring House) and on-site presence is required.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% during project phases and 10% during normal operations.

Why Join Us?

We are driving a transformation in cell-therapy manufacturing through advanced automation. By joining our team, you will help improve the efficiency, safety, and scalability of CAR-T cell manufacturing, making life-changing therapies more accessible to patients and shaping the future of biotech engineering.

If you are passionate about robotics, automation, autonomy, innovation, and creating significant impact in industrial cell-therapy manufacturing, we would love to hear from you.

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:

Analytical Reasoning, Computer Programming, Data Science, Industry Analysis, Innovation, Manufacturing Technologies, Prototyping, Research and Development, Robotic Automation, Robotic Control Software, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Safety-Oriented, SAP Product Lifecycle Management, Smart Systems, Technical Credibility, Technologically Savvy, Testing