Lead Robotics Application Engineer

Job Description

At our company, we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Join us in our mission to drive innovation and make a difference.

The ideal candidate will combine deep technical knowledge of robotics platforms and application development with strong leadership, stakeholder management, and delivery capabilities. This individual will be responsible for shaping the robotics application strategy, leading complex implementation efforts, ensuring reliable and scalable solutions, and driving measurable business value.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, development, testing, deployment, and support of robotics applications and automation solutions.
• Define technical standards, best practices, and governance for robotics application development and lifecycle management.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify high-value automation opportunities and translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Evaluate and select robotics platforms, tools, and integration patterns aligned with enterprise strategy.
• Serve as the technical lead on complex robotics initiatives, including solution design, system integration, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to engineers, developers, analysts, and other team members.
• Ensure solutions meet requirements for performance, reliability, security, compliance, and maintainability.
• Collaborate with vendors and implementation partners to assess capabilities, manage deliverables, and resolve technical issues.
• Support project planning, estimation, risk management, and milestone tracking for robotics programs.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in robotics, automation, AI, machine learning, and intelligent systems.
• Present technical recommendations and project updates to senior leadership and business stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Automation, Information Systems, or a related technical field OR Master’s degree with eight (8) years experience; OR PhD with five (5) years of experience.
• Ten or more (10+) years of progressive experience in robotics, automation, software engineering, controls engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading the design and delivery of robotics or automation solutions in a complex enterprise environment.
• Experience with robotics application development, integration, testing, deployment, and support.
• Prior leadership experience in guiding technical teams, contractors, or cross-functional project teams.
• Experience working with stakeholders across operations, IT, quality, engineering, and business functions.
• Strong technical expertise in robotics systems, automation platforms, and application development.
• Ability to design scalable, secure, and reliable automation solutions.
• Proficiency in relevant programming or scripting languages, such as Python, C#, Java, PLC-related languages, or similar.
• Knowledge of robotics frameworks, machine vision, sensors, motion systems, control systems, and integration technologies.
• Experience with system integration using APIs, databases, messaging platforms, industrial protocols, or enterprise applications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.
• Excellent project leadership skills, including planning, prioritization, and execution.
• Strong communication and influence skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with validation, documentation, and compliance requirements in regulated environments, if applicable.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on technical execution.

Preferred

• Experience managing or contributing to large-scale, multi-site, or regulated environment implementations.
• Experience with vendor management, technical evaluations, and solution lifecycle governance.
• Experience with collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, or industrial robotics systems.
• Experience with AI/ML-enabled automation, computer vision, or intelligent process automation.
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Experience in life sciences, manufacturing, logistics, laboratory automation, or other highly regulated industries.
• Professional certifications related to robotics, automation, project management, or cloud/platform technologies.

Required Skills:

Asset Management, Benefits Management, Emerging Technologies, Industrial Robotics, Intelligent Automation (IA), IT Operation, Laboratory Automation, Management System Development, Product Management, Project Leadership, Project Management, Project Planning, Requirements Management, Robotic Automation, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, System Designs, System Integration, Technical Issues, Technical Leadership

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/11/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.