Sr Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer/Surgical Robotics-OTTAVA

Johnson & Johnson Innovation; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson MedTech in Santa Clara, CA, seeks a Senior Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer to lead precision assembly and production readiness for the OTTAVA surgeon input device. You will own end-to-end manufacturing processes, from subassemblies to final device integration, ensuring quality, traceability, and scalable production.

The role requires deep mechanical intuition, strong problem-solving, and experience with regulated medical devices in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of manufacturing or assembly engineering experience in high-reliability systems.
• Experience with precision electromechanical mechanisms and medical devices is preferred.
• Proficiency with design for manufacturability, documentation (MPI/DHR/MES), and process controls.

Responsibilities

• Design and own assembly processes for the OTTAVA surgeon input device and major subassemblies.
• Develop and validate assembly sequences, fixturing, and metrology.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to translate design into scalable manufacturing.

Skills

Precision assembly

NPI experience

Quality systems

SolidWorks CAD

Electrical integration

Regulated medical

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

PFMEA

Minitab

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. Learn more at https://www.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

Manufacturing Engineering

Job Category

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations

Santa Clara, California, United States of America

Job Description

Johnson & Johnson Med Tech, a member of Johnson & Johnson's Family of Companies, is recruiting for a Senior Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer to join our team in Santa Clara, CA!

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/

About Johnson & Johnson MedTech

J&J Robotics was established in 2020 with the integration of Auris Health, Verb Surgical, C-SATS, and Ethicon. It comprises three key med-tech platforms: Surgical Robotics (OTTAVA™), Flexible Robotics (MONARCH®), and Digital Solutions. Join our collaborative, rapidly growing team where you'll create breakthrough medical technologies that unite multiple subject areas to build a connected digital ecosystem that advances medical professionals' skills and improves patient outcomes.

In this role, you will lead manufacturing engineering for the OTTAVA™ surgeon input device, the surgeon-facing control subsystem attached to the Physician Console that captures precise hand inputs used to remotely control surgical instruments and endoscopes. You will integrate mechanical, electrical, firmware, software, assembly, calibration, and test requirements to deliver robust and scalable production processes for this critical electromechanical subsystem.

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

• We are seeking a Senior Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer with drive and expertise in precision electromechanical devices and multi-axis controls to lead NPI, assembly, calibration, testing, validation, and industrialization for the OTTAVA™ surgeon input device.
• This role owns the complete manufacturing engineering lifecycle for surgeon input device assemblies, including precision mechanical subassemblies, multi-degree-of-freedom links and joints, motors, encoders, sensors, cable- and gear-driven elements, and integrated electronics. Assembly precision and calibration directly affect input fidelity, surgeon input accuracy, friction, force response, reliability, and the surgeon’s control of instruments and endoscopes.
• The ideal candidate combines deep mechanical intuition with rigorous process engineering discipline, working knowledge of regulated medical-device manufacturing requirements, and hands‑on expertise in precision assembly, bonding, fastening, encoder integration, cable, belt, or gear‑drive setup, motion testing, calibration, and verification of surgical‑grade haptic mechanisms at scale.
• This role demands someone who thrives in fast‑paced environments, takes proactive ownership of complex technical challenges, and can rapidly troubleshoot and resolve manufacturing issues that impact product launches. You’ll be instrumental in translating design intent into scalable manufacturing processes for next‑generation surgical robotics platforms.

Why This Role Matters

• You’ll be instrumental in bringing the OTTAVA™ surgeon input device from design intent to reliable production. The device must capture and convey precise surgeon hand movements while maintaining controlled friction, repeatable performance, dependable sensing, and ergonomic performance across its full workspace. This role offers the opportunity to shape manufacturing strategy early, prevent costly launch delays, and establish robust processes that scale while meeting the highest quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and own assembly processes for the OTTAVA™ surgeon input device and its major precision mechanical subassemblies, links and joints, motors, encoders, sensors, and integrated electronics.
• Develop assembly sequence logic that controls system error, friction, preload, transmission tension or engagement, encoder alignment, and cumulative variation across the device workspace.
• Define and validate datum schemes, fixturing strategies, and measurement methods that maintain consistent reference frames from component‑level assembly through full device integration.
• Author and release manufacturing processes for complex electromechanical assemblies, including MPIs, travelers, eDHR workflows, process maps, and inspection criteria.
• Define assembly and inspection processes for integrated electromechanical assemblies incorporating bearings, shafts, belts, cables, springs, seals, shims, adhesives, lubricants, fasteners, PCAs, harnesses, and precision‑machined structures.
• Determine component‑, subassembly‑, and device‑level metrology, instrumentation, and test requirements for assembly reliability and verification.
• Define and implement precision assembly equipment and fixtures designed for scalable industrialization, such as fastening systems, micro‑torque tools, press‑fit equipment, bonding and dispensing systems, and alignment fixtures.
• Develop and improve the mechanical processes and inputs that influence calibration and test outcomes, including assembly setup, alignment, preload, friction, and other mechanical parameters used in system calibration, performance testing, burn‑in, and functional verification.
• Use SPC, capability analysis, yield data, and issue Pareto analysis to detect drift, prioritize root‑cause investigations, and improve first‑pass yield and cycle time.
• Develop and mature manufacturing processes from prototype and pilot builds through validated, repeatable, and scalable production.
• Develop project plans and execute process development, equipment, documentation, and validation deliverables through implementation.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electromechanical, sensing, calibration, and test failures in partnership with R&D, Test Engineering, Quality, Operations, and suppliers.
• Lead manufacturing change control, configuration updates, and production release activities in partnership with Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
• Monitor, coach, and mentor junior engineers and technicians on precision assembly, calibration, validation, and manufacturing best practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Technical Leadership

• Establish strong working relationships with R&D, Development Engineering, Operations Process Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Production to design, develop, test, document, and implement processes, tooling, and fixtures.
• Partner with Quality to proactively address and resolve nonconformances before they affect production.
• Identify process requirements, advise operations management, and implement equipment and fixtures for process development and manufacturing.
• Lead cross‑functional technical reviews, communicate risks and tradeoffs, and drive timely decisions from development through production implementation.
• Provide technical coaching and feedback to engineers and technicians on process development, problem solving, validation, and manufacturing best practices.
• Maintain attention to detail while moving with urgency and ensuring critical actions are completed.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Precision Engineering, or related field.

Required Experience

• 8-10 years of manufacturing or assembly engineering experience, with a minimum of 5 years supporting precision electromechanical mechanisms, haptic devices, robotic controls, medical capital equipment, or comparable high‑reliability systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in precision mechanism assembly, including bearing preload, cable‑, belt‑, or gear‑driven mechanisms, encoder and sensor integration, motor assemblies, alignment, bonding, and controlled lubrication.
• Strong manufacturing engineering background ‑ BOM structure, process documentation (MPI, DHR, MES), and PFMEA.
• Medical device experience with a proven track record in NPI environments.
• Electromechanical Systems: Extensive troubleshooting capability across mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation domains.
• CAD Proficiency: Expert-level skills in CAD design (SolidWorks preferred), ASME Y14.5 GD&T, and 3D tolerance stack‑up analysis.
• Strong statistical proficiency ‑ SPC, Cpk, DOE, Minitab, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing end‑to‑end manufacturing processes for precision electromechanical assemblies, including process flows, tooling, fixtures, measurement strategies, assembly equipment, documentation, and process controls.
• Proven experience maturing manufacturing processes from prototype or pilot builds through validation, launch, and scalable production.
• Experience planning and executing cross‑functional process development, equipment, documentation, and validation deliverables.
• Quality Systems: Over 3 years in J&J (or equivalent regulated environment), fully trained and proficient in J&J systems, SOPs, and processes.
• Skills:
• Systems‑level thinking that connects component and assembly precision to full‑device system accuracy, friction, calibration performance, input