The Position
A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That’s what makes us Roche.
About the Roche R&D Autonomous Lab Accelerator
Roche R&D Autonomous Lab Accelerator is building AI-native scientific laboratories, bringing cutting-edge physical AI, lab automation, and foundation models together for closed-loop, autonomous "Lab-in-the-Loop" (LitL) systems. Through autonomous labs, Roche will drive superior R&D outcomes and systematically increase the speed of research and success of drug discovery.
The Opportunity
As the Global Head of Platform Technology Development, you will translate our multi-year AI-native autonomous lab vision into rigorous technology platform capabilities and deliverables. You will determine our internal scientific R&D workflow needs, identify technology gaps, and build fit-for-purpose physical capabilities across laboratory automation systems and robotics.
Your core mission is to lead core technology platform development, ensuring interoperability, robust architectural design, and scalable autonomous lab systems for Roche R&D needs that span Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED), Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Diagnostics (DIA), and Pharma Technical Operations (PT).
In this role, you will:
Platform technology development
- Implement advanced automation platform technologies for prioritized use cases across the Accelerator program.
- Lead the development and integration of fit-for-purpose platform technologies (i.e. bespoke microwell / microfluidics hw /sw systems) for Roche R&D autonomous labs.
- Map and track the external landscape: robotics and physical AI companies, instrument and liquid handling vendors, cloud and autonomous labs, and industry players now building their own autonomous-lab platforms.
- Lead technical diligence on partnerships and acquisitions; scope and shape co-development and commercial agreements.
- Co-own data standards with the lab automation software lead, and run architecture reviews / technical diligence that new automation purchases and partnerships must pass.
Physical AI & Digital Twins
- Digital Twin Architecture: Direct the development of high-fidelity 3D digital twin models of the autonomous laboratory. Ensure 1:1 synchronization between physical lab telemetry and the virtual environment to enable predictive system modeling, spatial optimization, and real-time fleet monitoring.
- Sim-to-Real (Sim2Real) Pipeline Execution: Oversee advanced robotics simulation efforts (leveraging environments like NVIDIA Isaac Sim, or equivalent). Build robust synthetic data generation pipelines to train AI agents in physics-accurate virtual labs before safely deploying them to physical R&D laboratories.
- Edge AI & Low-Latency Inference: oversee the deployment and optimization of compact vision and VLA models at the edge to establish millisecond-latency monitoring of the physical lab state for mission-critical operations.
- Edge Computing Optimization: Demonstrated experience leading the deployment and optimization of AI inference on resource-constrained edge hardware (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, TensorRT quantization) to support real-time physical control loops and low-latency sensor networks.
- Simulation & Digital Twin Experience: Experience overseeing teams working with 3D robotics simulation, synthetic data generation, and closing the sim-to-real transfer gap. Familiarity with industrial digital twin concepts and their application to complex operational environments.
- Advanced Robotics Background: Technical familiarity with robotic kinematics, computer vision (segmentation, pose estimation), and modern ML techniques for continuous control and robotic manipulation.
Build the Team and Represent the Function
- Hire and lead the automation platform technologies, robotics and simulations engineering function within the Accelerator.
- Represent Roche externally (SLAS, consortia, standards bodies, partner boards) as a credible voice on lab-in-the-loop.
Who you are:
- Education: MS/PhD in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics), Computer Science, Bioengineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Industry Leadership: 15+ years of experience in laboratory automation, high-throughput experimentation, or autonomous platforms, with significant leadership and team-building experience in Biopharma or Techbio.
- Robotics & Tech Stack Expertise: Demonstrated experience driving the shift from hard-coded robotic systems to agentic programmability and flexible control. Familiarity with integration protocols (Python, gRPC, REST), robotic simulation environments, and closing execution loops with foundation models/AI systems.
- Physical AI / ML Expertise: Demonstrated understanding of the latest advancements in robotics foundation models (e.g., VLA architectures, spatial reasoning VLMs) and the practical challenges of deploying them on physical hardware in a lab setting.
- Regulated Environments: Experience transitioning hardware and software platforms into GxP, and regulated environment use.
- Cross-Functional Acumen: Proven ability to collaborate with scientific product managers, software engineers, and AI researchers to translate complex biological/chemical workflows into robust hardware specifications.
Relocation benefits are available for this opportunity
The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of San Francisco is $261,500 - 485,700 of hiring range. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.
Benefits
Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.
Skills Required
- MS or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Bioengineering, or equivalent practical experience
- 15+ years of experience in laboratory automation, high-throughput experimentation, or autonomous platforms
- Significant leadership and team-building experience in biopharma or TechBio
- Experience with laboratory automation platforms, robotics, and flexible or agentic control systems
- Familiarity with Python, gRPC, REST, robotic simulation environments, and foundation-model integration
- Experience with robotics foundation models, VLA architectures, spatial reasoning VLMs, and physical AI deployment
- Experience deploying and optimizing AI inference on edge hardware such as NVIDIA Jetson using TensorRT quantization
- Experience with 3D robotics simulation, synthetic data generation, digital twins, and sim-to-real transfer
- Technical familiarity with robotic kinematics, computer vision, segmentation, pose estimation, and robotic manipulation
- Experience transitioning hardware and software platforms into GxP and regulated environments
- Ability to collaborate with scientific product managers, software engineers, and AI researchers on biological and chemical workflows
Genentech Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Genentech and has not been reviewed or approved by Genentech.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive across medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescriptions, supported by HSAs/FSAs and broad wellness resources. On‑site fitness and health centers, mental‑health clinicians, and specialized programs like fully covered preventive cancer screenings and menopause support deepen the offering.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits feature a 401(k) with up to a 4% company match plus an additional annual 6% company contribution to eligible pay. Additional financial protections such as life and accident insurance complement salary, bonuses, and stock options.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time away includes about 20 paid vacation days, paid holidays, personal days, and a year‑end shutdown. A paid six‑week sabbatical every six years notably expands long‑term time‑off flexibility.
Genentech Insights
What We Do
Considered the founder of the industry, Genentech, now a member of the Roche Group, has been delivering on the promise of biotechnology for more than 40 years. Genentech is a biotechnology company dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking science to discover and develop medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. Our transformational discoveries include the first targeted antibody for cancer and the first medicine for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. We're passionate about finding solutions for people facing the world's most difficult-to-treat conditions. That is why we use cutting-edge science to create and deliver innovative medicines around the globe. To us, science is personal. Making a difference in the lives of millions starts when you make a change in yours.
