Associate Director, Robotics Engineering / Physical AI

Scorpion Therapeutics; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics in Rahway, New Jersey, seeks an Associate Director, Robotics Engineering / Physical AI to lead a portfolio of robotics, autonomous systems, machine vision, and automated material handling initiatives across manufacturing operations.

You will drive concept-to-implementation programs, oversee vendor collaborations, ensure GMP/compliance, and coach engineers while aligning with business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related science required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in robotics, automation, or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience leading projects in regulated or industrial environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead robotics and autonomous automation programs from concept through implementation.
• Define scope, evaluate technologies, and develop practical solutions aligned to business needs.
• Guide design and deployment of robotics systems and equipment integration.
• Support simulation studies, proof-of-concept development, commissioning, validation, and startup.
• Direct engineering firms, integrators, and vendors to achieve program objectives.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Safety, Automation, and Digital Manufacturing.
• Establish standards, governance, and roadmap priorities for robotics and advanced automation.
• Coach and develop engineers; support broader adoption of new capabilities.

Skills

AI

Automation systems

Capital project management

Change management

Data analysis

Decision making

Lean manufacturing

Regulatory compliance

Root cause analysis

Strategic thinking

Technical transfer

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related science

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Associate Director, Robotics Engineering / Physical AI — lead a portfolio of robotics, autonomous systems, machine vision, and automated material handling initiatives across manufacturing operations.

What You’ll Do

• Lead robotics and autonomous automation programs from concept through implementation.
• Define scope, evaluate technologies, and develop practical solutions aligned to business needs.
• Guide design and deployment of robotics systems and equipment integration.
• Support simulation studies, proof-of-concept development, commissioning, qualification, and startup.
• Direct engineering firms, integrators, and vendors to achieve program objectives.
• Work with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Safety, Automation, Tech Ops, and Digital Manufacturing stakeholders.
• Establish standards, governance, and roadmap priorities for robotics and advanced automation.
• Coach and develop engineers; support broader adoption of new capabilities.

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years’ experience in robotics, automation, manufacturing engineering, biotech, pharma, or related field.
• Experience leading robotics/autonomous systems projects in regulated or industrial environments.
• Experience with industrial robotics platforms and integration.
• Machine vision, AI-enabled automation, or autonomous material handling preferred.
• Experience applying Deep Learning/Machine Learning models.
• GMP/regulated manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with commissioning, qualification, validation, and capital project execution.
• Strong communication, collaboration, leadership, change leadership, problem-solving, and engineering judgment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related science required; advanced degree preferred.

Required/Preferred Skills

• Required skills include: AI, automation systems, capital project management, change management, data analysis, decision making, lean manufacturing, manufacturing scale-up, regulatory compliance, root cause analysis (RCA), strategic thinking, technical transfer.

Travel

• Up to 50% travel may be required.