Principal Scientist, Operations Research & Decision Science- R&D DDSAI - Therapeutics...

NCSL International; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine seeks a hands-on Principal Scientist to design and scale optimization, simulation, and digital-twin capabilities across Therapeutics Development & Supply. You will translate complex processes into rigorous models and deploy decision-support tools in enterprise workflows.

The role combines deep expertise in operations research with software engineering disciplines, partnering with data engineering, product, and platform teams to drive portfolio planning and

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in quantitative field as listed in qualifications.
• Demonstrated depth in multiple OR/IO methods and strong Python skills.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and solve optimization problems for portfolio prioritization and resource scheduling.
• Develop models and simulations to represent complex operations and decision workflows.
• Deliver scalable modeling workflows and decision-support products using Python and modern computing tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate models with enterprise data and workflows.

Skills

Python

Optimization

Simulation

Digital Twin

Modeling

Leadership

Education

Operations Research

Industrial Engineering

Applied Mathematics

Tools

Pyomo

Gurobi

CPLEX

OR-Tools

SimPy

AnyLogic

Simio

Arena

Job description

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.

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

Data Analytics & Computational Sciences

Job Sub Function

Data Science

Job Category

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations

Madrid, Spain, Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for Principal Scientist, Operations Research & Decision Science- R&D DDSAI - Therapeutics Development & Supply (TDS)

The primary location for this position is open to Spring House, PA or Madrid, Spain

J&J Innovative Medicine develops treatments that improve the health of people worldwide. Research and development areas encompass oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiopulmonary and specialty ophthalmology. Our goal is to help people live longer, healthier lives. We have produced and marketed many first-in-class prescription medications and are poised to serve the broad needs of the healthcare market - from patients to practitioners and from clinics to hospitals. To learn more about Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine visit https://innovativemedicine.jnj.com/

POSITION SUMMARY

The R&D Data, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DDSAI) organization is seeking a hands-on Principal Scientist, Operations Research & Decision Science to design, build, and scale simulation, optimization, digital twin, and decision-support capabilities across Therapeutics Development & Supply (TDS), including Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls (CMC) and Clinical Supply Chain (CSC).

This individual contributor will translate complex development, manufacturing, portfolio, capacity, resource, and clinical supply processes into rigorous computational models. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in operations research, industrial engineering, mathematical modeling, and scientific computing with the software engineering discipline required to deploy trusted solutions in enterprise decision workflows.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Research & Mathematical Optimization

• Formulate and solve optimization problems involving portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, capacity planning, and resource scheduling.
• Apply linear and mixed-integer programming, nonlinear optimization, stochastic programming, decomposition, heuristics, and multi-objective methods as appropriate to the decision context.
• Develop models that make constraints, uncertainty, risk, and tradeoffs explicit and convert model outputs into clear decision recommendations.

Simulation, Digital Twins & Systems Modeling

• Design, build, validate, and maintain digital twins of TDS and CSC operations to evaluate future scenarios, policies, investments, and operating strategies.
• Develop discrete-event, Monte Carlo, agent-based, system dynamics, and hybrid simulations when appropriate to represent complex operational systems.
• Establish fit-for-purpose practices for model verification, validation, calibration, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty quantification, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Create reusable modeling components and platforms that can be extended across products, programs, sites, and business processes.

Technical Delivery & Scaled Capability Development

• Develop robust, reusable modeling workflows and decision-support products using Python and modern scientific computing, optimization, simulation, and cloud-based tooling.
• Apply software engineering best practices, including modular design, version control, testing, documentation, reproducibility, code review, and maintainable interfaces.
• Partner with data engineering, product, architecture, and platform teams to integrate models with enterprise data and embed outputs into recurring planning and operational workflows.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Business Impact

• Partner with leaders and subject-matter experts across TDS, CSC, technical operations, portfolio management, finance, and digital organizations to define decisions, requirements, constraints, and measures of value.
• Lead technical work across multiple initiatives while remaining a hands-on modeler and developer.
• Communicate model assumptions, limitations, results, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor colleagues and provide technical direction to internal teams, consultants, and external collaborators.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Advanced degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Management Science, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience applying optimization, simulation, stochastic modeling, decision analysis, or related operations research methods to complex operational problems.
• Demonstrated depth in at least two of the following: mathematical programming, discrete-event simulation, stochastic optimization, scheduling, network optimization, resource allocation, inventory optimization, or decision-making under uncertainty.
• Strong Python programming skills and practical experience with optimization or simulation frameworks such as Pyomo, Gurobi, CPLEX, OR-Tools, SimPy, AnyLogic, Simio, Arena, or equivalent tools.
• Proven record of delivering computational models or decision-support products that influenced consequential business or operational decisions.
• Ability to provide technical leadership in cross-functional environments while remaining a hands-on individual contributor.

Preferred

• Ph.D. in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Management Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in pharmaceutical development, CMC, manufacturing, clinical supply, supply chain, portfolio planning, capacity planning, resource planning, or another complex operational environment.
• Experience deploying simulation, optimization, or digital twin solutions into enterprise workflows and maintaining them as durable products.
• Experience integrating forecasting, machine learning, or AI methods with prescriptive models and decision-support systems.

Why This Role Is Unique

This is a rare opportunity to grow in one of the world's most ambitious and fast-growing R&D Data Science organizations, shaping how advanced modeling, simulation, and optimization transform decision-making across Drug Product Development & Supply, with direct impact on Therapeutics Development & Supply. Your work will directly improve how Johnson & Johnson plans and executes its development portfolio, allocates critical resources, and accelerates delivery of next-generation therapies to patients globally.

Johnson & Johnson is an 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 under federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants' needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers, internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills

Advanced Analytics, Coaching, Critical Thinking, Data Analysis, Data Privacy Standards, Data Quality, Data Reporting, Data Savvy, Data Science, Data Visualization, Digital Fluency, Econometric Models, Organizing, Process Improvements, Strategic Thinking, Technical Credibility, Workflow Analysis

Preferred Skills

Advanced Analytics, Coaching, Critical Thinking, Data Analysis, Data Privacy Standards, Data Quality, Data Reporting, Data Savvy, Data Science, Data Visualization, Digital Fluency, Econometric Models, Organizing, Process Improvements, Strategic Thinking, Technical Credibility, Workflow Analysis

Anticipated base pay range for this position

$117,000.00 - $201,250.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency

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 Colorado -48 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
• Bereavement Leave - 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave - 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
• Volunteer Leave - 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off - 80 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: https://...