Sr Engineer, Automation Applications/Surgical Robotics - OTTAVA

jj; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

PTO & holidays

Parental Leave

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson RAD (Robotics and Digital) seeks a Senior Engineer, Automation Applications to architect, develop, and deploy scalable automation across manufacturing operations in Santa Clara. You will deliver end-to-end automation solutions—including robotic cells, AMRs, and vision-guided assembly—with robust design and OT/IT integration.

You will drive modular, cost‑effective automation to improve throughput, quality, and flexibility while leading cross‑functional teams and ensuring safety

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 5+ years delivering industrial automation/robotics solutions in manufacturing (medical device regulated env. preferred).
• Hands‑on experience integrating industrial robots (ABB, KUKA, UR, Mecademic or similar).
• PLC and controls experience (Rockwell/AB, Beckhoff) including motion, IO, and safety architectures.
• Familiarity with OT protocols (Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, MQTT) and basic network troubleshooting.
• Strong machine safety knowledge and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of automation solutions from concept to commissioning and handover.
• Architect semi-automated to fully automated robotic solutions and AMRs.
• Define functional specs, URS/FRS, test plans, and commissioning documents.
• Lead design reviews and provide direction to internal teams and integrators.
• Specify, integrate, and validate robots, PLCs, HMIs, and sensors.
• Drive safety, ISO/IEC standards compliance, and OT/IIoT connectivity.
• Develop automation standards and reusable digital engineering artifacts.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, operations, quality, IT, and cybersecurity.
• Evaluate partners and manage RFQ/SOW with budget oversight.

Skills

Automation Engineering

Robotics integration

Troubleshooting

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelors in Engineering

Tools

ABB Robots

PLC Controls

Vision Systems

Safety Systems

Job description

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 for Sr. Engineer, Automation Applications – OTTAVA, for our Santa Clara, Location.

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 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.

About MedTech Surgery

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing 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 team that’s reimagining 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 disease and 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 (Robotics and Digital) is seeking an experienced Senior Engineer, Automation Applications to architect, develop, and deploy scalable, next-generation automation across manufacturing operations. In this role, you will deliver end-to-end automation solutions—including robotic cells, semi-reconfigurable automated assembly, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), smart workstations, and IoT-enabled workflows—ensuring robust system design, compliance, and seamless integration from the shop floor through OT/IT interfaces to enterprise digital platforms.

You will drive modular, cost-effective automation that improves throughput and cycle time, elevates quality and reliability, and increases production flexibility. The successful candidate brings deep hands‑on engineering capability, strong troubleshooting instincts, and the ability to lead technical decisions across cross‑functional teams and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of automation solutions from concept through commissioning and handover (FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ where applicable, run-at-rate).
• Architect and implement semi-automated to fully automated robotic solutions, including X-Y Cartesian systems, robotic cells, EOAT, vision‑guided assembly, smart workstations for digital workers, and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
• Define functional specifications, URS/FRS, test plans, acceptance criteria, and commissioning documentation.
• Lead system design reviews and provide technical direction to internal teams and integrators; ensure modular, scalable, maintainable designs.
• Specify, integrate, and validate hardware and software: robots, PLCs, HMIs, safety controllers, vision systems, sensors, actuators, and industrial networks.
• Drive machine safety and risk assessments (guarding, interlocks, collaborative robot safety) and maintain EHS compliance documentation.
• Set up functional safety and standards compliance for robot cells and AMR operations (e.g., ISO 10218/TS 15066, ISO 13849/IEC 62061, ISO 12100).
• Implement OT/IIoT connectivity, edge devices and monitoring (equipment status, alarms, cycle time, OEE drivers); collaborate on dashboards and analytics.
• Develop and maintain automation standards, reusable libraries, and digital engineering artifacts (robot simulation, offline programming, digital twin where applicable).
• Partner with manufacturing, operations, quality, IT, and cybersecurity to drive solutions.
• Evaluate and manage partners and system integrators, including RFQ/SOW development, technical delivery, schedule tracking, and budget management for automation projects.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 5+ years delivering industrial automation and/or robotics solutions in manufacturing (medical device / regulated industries preferred).
• Hands‑on experience integrating industrial robots (ABB, KUKA, UR, Mecademic or similar): cell layout, EOAT, safety, cycle‑time optimization.
• PLC and controls experience (Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley, Beckhoff or similar), including troubleshooting motion, IO, and safety architectures.
• Familiarity with industrial networking and OT protocols (Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, MQTT) and basic network troubleshooting.
• Strong machine safety knowledge and experience with risk assessments and safe design practices.
• Systems engineering experience: URS/FRS, design specs, test plans, commissioning documentation.
• Experience with sensors and machine vision integration for inspection/guidance.
• Proven debugging and root cause analysis skills across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software interfaces.
• Experience with digital engineering tools (simulation/offline programming, cell emulation, digital twins) to de‑risk deployments.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methods (Value stream mapping, DMAIC, Kaizen) and using data to drive improvements in OEE, throughput, quality and yield.
• Vendor management experience, including RFQ development, technical evaluation, and oversight of integrator build/verification.

Preferred

• Experience delivering automation in regulated environments (e.g., medical device, pharma) including documentation rigor, change control, and validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) concepts.
• Experience with Industry 4.0 /IIoT connectivity (OPC UA, MQTT, REST APIs) and integration to MES.
• Knowledge of statistical process control, poka‑yoke/error‑proofing, traceability, and automated inspection strategies.
• Programming/scripting experience (e.g., Python, C#, structured text) used for automation tooling, data extraction, or test automation.

Other

• May require up to 10% domestic and/or international travel.
• The attendance policy required for this role is Fully Onsite

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$109,000.00 to $153,748.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency

• medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑and‑long‑term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance
• Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k))
• Company’s long‑term incentive program
• 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

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 by 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 AskGSto be directed to your accommodation