Digital Manufacturing Tech Lead/Surgical Robotics - OTTAVA

Biopharma Careers; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson RAD (Robotics and Digital) is seeking an innovative Digital Manufacturing Tech Lead to spearhead the design, implementation, and optimization of our next-generation smart factory capabilities in support of the OTTAVA Surgical Robotic Platform. At Johnson & Johnson, a focus on Credo-guided innovation and compliance in a regulated manufacturing environment drives this role.

You will shape technology strategy, guide engineering execution, and advance digital transformation across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or PhD preferred in Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing, Automation, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing systems, automation, or digital manufacturing, with senior technical leadership experience in Industry 4.0 environments.
• Deep hands‑on expertise with MES platforms, manufacturing data architectures, IIoT integrations, and shop-floor-to-cloud connectivity.
• Demonstrated skill in applying Industry 4.0 methodologies, including IIoT, connected assets, digital twins, advanced analytics, and edge/cloud computing in manufacturing environments
• Strong understanding of smart factory concepts, digital twins, advanced process control, and data-driven manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional technical programs and influence without direct authority.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including executives.

Responsibilities

• Defining and leading the digital manufacturing technology strategy aligned with smart factory, Industry 4.0, and business objectives.
• Define measurable KPIs and track program impact, ensuring scalability across technical programs.
• Serving as the principal technical assessor for digital manufacturing systems, including MES, Cloud platform, digital twins, advanced process control, Industry 4.0, and analytics.
• Responsible for reusable architecture, standards, and technology roadmap implementations.
• Driving the architecture, design, and deployment of connected manufacturing solutions that integrate shop-floor systems with enterprise platforms.
• Leading and mentoring a core team of engineers, providing technical direction and reviews.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing engineering, operations, quality, cybersecurity, and supply chain teams.
• Identify and pilot emerging technologies (AI/ML, digital twins, edge computing) to improve yield and time-to-market.
• Manage partners and system integrators with evaluations and delivery oversight.

Skills

MES platforms

IIoT integrations

Industrial automation

Digital manufacturing

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

ERP systems

PLM

Cloud platforms

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson,we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build aworld where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured,where treatments are smarter and less invasive, andsolutions 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 jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Supply Chain Engineering

Job Sub Function:

Automation Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Santa Clara, California, United States of America

Job Description:

Johnson & Johnson RAD (Robotics and Digital) is seeking an innovative Digital Manufacturing Tech Lead to spearhead the design, implementation, and optimization of our next-generation smart factory capabilities in support of the OTTAVA Surgical Robotic Platform.

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/ ( https://www.jnj.com/ .

AboutMedTechSurgery

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology,we’redeveloping the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments.

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a teamthat’sreimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world’s most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular diseaseand cancer. Patients are waiting.

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech

Purpose

Johnson & Johnson RAD (RoboticsandDigital) is seeking an innovative Digital Manufacturing TechLeadto spearhead the design, implementation, and optimization of our next-generation smart factory capabilities. This role will drive technology strategy, oversee engineering execution, and champion digital transformation byleveragingIndustry 4.0 methodologies, including advanced automation, data analytics,IIoT(Industrial Internet of Things), and AI-enabled manufacturing solutions.

The successful candidate will deliver scalable, sustainable, and intelligent manufacturing systems that improve quality, efficiency, and agility in production.

Key Responsibilities:

Defining and leading the digital manufacturing technology strategy aligned with smart factory, Industry 4.0, and businessobjectives.

Define measurable KPIs and track program impact, ensuring scalability acrosstechnical programs

Serving as the principal technical assessor for digital manufacturing systems, including MES,Cloud platform, digital twins, advanced process control, IndustryIoT, and manufacturing data platforms.

Responsible for reusable architecture, standards, and technology roadmap implementations

Driving the architecture, design, and deployment of connected manufacturing solutions that integrate shop-floor systems (equipment, PLCs) with enterprise platforms (ERP, PLM, analytics, cloud, WMS).

Leading and mentoring acoreteam of engineers, providing technical direction, design reviews, and best-practice guidance.

Collaborateclosely with manufacturingengineering, operation,quality,J&J Technology,cybersecurity, andothersupply chain teams to deliver end-to-end, compliant digital solutions.

Collaborate with J&J Technology teamondatagovernance, cybersecurity, and system reliability standards for manufacturing systems in aMedical Deviceregulated environment.

Identifyingand piloting emerging technologies (AI/ML,agentic AI,advanced analytics, digital twins, edge computing) to improve yield, productivity, quality, and time-to-market.

Managingpartnersand system integrator relationships, including technical evaluations, solutionselection, and delivery oversight.

Stay ahead of emerging Industry 4.0 trends and recommend adoption where strategic advantage can be gained

Qualifications:

Required:

Bachelor’s degreerequired;Master’sor PhD preferred in Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing, Automation, or a related technical field

8+ years of experience in manufacturing systems, automation, or digital manufacturing, with senior technical leadership experience in Industry 4.0 environments.

Deep hands‑onexpertisewith MES platforms, manufacturing data architectures,IIoTintegrations, and shop-floor-to-cloud connectivity.

Demonstrated skill in applying Industry 4.0 methodologies, includingIIoT, connected assets, digital twins, advanced analytics, and edge/cloud computing in manufacturing environments

Strong understanding of smart factory concepts, digital twins, advanced process control, and data-driven manufacturing.

Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional technicalprogramsand influence without direct authority.

Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including executives.

Skilledin evaluating emerging technologies, vendors, and system integrators, and leading solution selection and implementation.

Problem Solving & Systems Thinking: comfortoperatingin ambiguous, evolving environments while driving clarity and technical direction.

Experience managing technical delivery across pilots, scale-up, and global deployment

Effective and proactivewritten, presentation, and verbal communication skills.

Passion for mentoring engineers and building high-performing, technically excellent teams.

Preferred:

Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments (e.g., medical devices, pharma, or other highly regulated industries) highly preferred.

Creative, motivated, proactive, and focused on achieving results

Sound analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Capability to resolve challenges, devise and implement strategies tovalidatecrucial technological principles.

Other:

May require up to10%of domesticand/or international travel

Johnson & Johnsonisan 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,stateor local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who areprotectedveterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson & JPartneriscommitted to providing an interview process that isinclusiveofour applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to requestan accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers , internal employees contactAskGSto be directed to your accommodation resource.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$142,000.00 to $215,449.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

• Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees and/or eligible dependents are eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
• Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
• This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.
• Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits: Vacation –120 hours per calendar year Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child Condolence Leave – 30 days for an immediate family member: 5 days for an extended family member Caregiver Leave – 10 days Volunteer Leave – 4 days Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours Additional information can be found through the link below. https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits