Robotics Technology Deployment Steward (Drug Substance)

Roche; Penzberg; On-site; EUR 130,000 - 217,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche is seeking a Robotics Technology Deployment Steward within the Drug Substance Technology Deployment Group. You will bridge central strategy with site-level operations, scouting innovations, translating strategy into PoCs, and rolling out standardized robotics across global sites.

Lead cross-functional teams, manage IT/OT integration, and drive scalable automation in a regulated pharma environment. Basel-based role with global impact and CAPEX exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master/PhD in a technical discipline with hands-on robotics/automation experience.
• Experience leading cross-site deployments without direct hierarchy.
• Familiarity with IT/OT integration and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Identify bottlenecks at manufacturing sites and scout robotics/automation solutions.
• Co-create global robotics roadmap with strategy lead and drive hands-on execution.
• Design, run PoCs with cross-functional teams and assess business value.
• Oversee end-to-end deployment, CAPEX post-implementation, and site handover.

Skills

Robotics engineering

Automation deployment

Cross-functional leadership

IT/OT integration

Python

SQL

Project management

Education

Robotics/Automation Eng degree

MBA or Systems Engineering (bonus)

Tools

SCADA

MES

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

Roche’s demanding and changing Small Molecules, Bio, and Cell & Gene Therapy product portfolio requires shaping the manufacturing network of the future, driving global investments across different production sites.

As an integral part of Pharma Technical Operations (PT), PT Global MSAT, Engineering and Sustainability (PTT) plays a key role in leading seamless industrialization and thorough technical management by integrating SHE, proactive maintenance, facility fitness, performance optimization, and scalable manufacturing technologies across the network. Product and process robustness, efficiency, and reliability are key performance indicators that PTT owns and drives through continuous improvement.

Within PTT, our Global Manufacturing Science and Technology (gMSAT) departments drive the front-line implementation of advanced capabilities to modernize physical operations across the Drug Substance (DS), Drug Product (DP), and Device, Packaging & Distribution (DDP) networks.

The Technology Deployment Groups (TDGs) within the gMSAT departments are the ultimate strategic connectors in our technology standardization framework. They coordinate the collection and assessment of both network-wide operational “pains” and emerging local innovations, bridging the gap between local site realities and globally endorsed network standards.

The Opportunity

As a vital member within the Drug Substance Technology Deployment Group, the Robotics Technology Deployment Steward serves as the primary execution engine bridging central strategy with site-level manufacturing operations. Working in close partnership with the Robotics Technology Strategy Lead, this role supports technology scouting, translates high-level strategy into value-driven proofs-of-concept (PoCs), and leads the tactical roll-out of standardized robotics and automation solutions to directly address operational pain points across our global production sites.

• Site Pain Point Resolution & Technology Scouting: Act as the Drug Substance liaison for manufacturing sites, identifying operational bottlenecks, evaluating local challenges through a global network lens, and actively support the scouting for emerging robotics/automation solutions to drive standardized resolution.

• Strategic Roadmap Co-Creation: Partner closely with the Technology Strategy Lead to drive and shape the global/network robotics roadmap, leading hands‑on operational execution, provide technical expertise, and consolidate/represent site feasibility perspectives.

• Proof of Concept (PoC) Execution: Lead cross-functional execution teams (across MSAT, Engineering, Quality, IT/OT, and Operations) to design, execute, and evaluate rapid, ROI‑driven PoCs, providing data‑backed recommendations to scale, pivot, or stop technologies based on business value.

• Lead the end‑to‑end deployment lifecycle: Drive post‑CAPEX industrialization plans, oversee cross‑functional IT/OT system integration (e.g., SCADA, MES, digital twins), and manage the operational handover by preparing site integration packages (URS, CQV/CSV) to ensure a successful transition to local site operations.

Who you are

You are a pragmatic innovator with deep technical knowhow and hands‑on expertise in deploying robotics and automation within complex regulated manufacturing environments, driven to solve critical site operational challenges through scalable technology.

• BSc, MSc or PhD in Robotics Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Bonus/Preferred: Additional education or certifications in Business Administration (e.g., MBA), Change Management, or Systems Engineering with 6+ years of relevant hands‑on industrial experience in robotics integration, complex automation deployment, or manufacturing engineering within pharmaceutical/biotech or other highly regulated industries (e.g., semiconductor, aerospace), with direct involvement in major Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) project lifecycles and CQV exposure.

• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional technical teams and drive multi‑site project deployments without direct hierarchical authority.

• Practical understanding of IT/OT integration layers (SCADA/MES) and basic data/coding literacy (e.g., Python, SQL) to evaluate system performance metrics and drive data‑informed decisions. Data processing capabilities is a plus.

• Excellent project management, problem‑solving with a track record of project completion.

• Demonstrated experience deploying targeted automation solutions in the Drug Substance domain: e.g., AMRs for heavy mobile logistics, automated fluid transfer, robotic aseptic sampling, or automated single‑use system (SUS) manipulation.

Where pay transparency applies, details are provided based on the primary posting location. For this role, the primary location is Basel. If you are interested in additional locations where the role may be available, we will provide the relevant compensation details later in the hiring process.

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life‑changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.