Sr Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer/Surgical Robotics-OTTAVA
6267-Auris Health Inc. Legal Entity
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Johnson & Johnson MedTech is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer to lead the OTTAVA surgeon input device manufacturing lifecycle. You will own precision assembly of major subassemblies, ensure robust processes, and partner with R&D, Quality, and Operations to enable scalable production.
This onsite role requires 8–10 years in manufacturing, expertise in SolidWorks, GD&T, and ability to drive NPI from prototype through launch. Milpitas site; 25% travel.
Qualifications
- 8–10 years of manufacturing or assembly engineering experience.
- Proven ability to design and validate precision electromechanical assemblies.
- Strong CAD skills with SolidWorks and GD&T knowledge.
- Experience maturing processes from prototype to production.
- Medical device experience in NPI environments is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Design and own assembly processes for OTTAVA surgeon input device and subassemblies.
- Develop assembly sequence logic and verify datum schemes and fixtures.
- Author and release manufacturing processes and documentation (MPI, DHR, MES).
- Define metrology, test requirements, and process controls for reliability.
- Troubleshoot failures across mechanical, electrical, and sensing domains.
- Lead manufacturing change control and cross-functional reviews.
- Mentor junior engineers and technicians on precision assembly practices.
Skills
Education
Tools
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/.
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. You will help shape manufacturing strategy early, prevent costly launch delays, and establish robust processes that scale while meeting the highest quality standards.
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.
- 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.
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.
Fully onsite. This role will require commuting to our Milpitas Site, 25% travel requirements: 10%.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Precision Engineering, or related field.
- 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.
- Extensive troubleshooting capability across mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation domains.
- Expert‑level CAD skills in SolidWorks (preferred), ASME Y14.5 GD&T, and 3D tolerance stack‑up analysis.
- Strong statistical proficiency — SPC, Cpk, DOE, Minitab, or equivalent.
- Proven 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.
- 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.
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, or Precision Engineering.
- Direct experience with surgical robotics, haptic interfaces, force‑feedback devices, teleoperation controls, or surgeon‑facing input mechanisms.
- Six Sigma Black Belt.
- Experience with precision calibration and test systems for multi‑axis electromechanical assemblies.
- Experience with system calibration, encoder calibration, friction characterization, parameter testing, and burn‑in of robotic or haptic mechanisms.
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols, real‑time motion control, motor drives, and sensor communication architectures.
- Experience with micro‑assembly, magnification‑assisted assembly, precision bonding and dispensing, bearing installation, and cable, belt, or gear‑drive setup.
- Experience applying SPC, capability analysis, DOE, and structured root‑cause analysis to improve yield, friction performance, calibration results, and cycle time.
- Experience with MES systems and PLM tools in regulated industries.
- Sense of Urgency: Consistently operates with speed and purpose. Responds quickly to issues and follows through promptly.
- Proactive Ownership: Takes full accountability for outcomes. Identifies and solves problems before they escalate.
- Transparent Communication: Direct, honest communicator. Shares concerns and challenges openly.
- Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy without losing sight of the bigger picture or momentum.
- High Drive: Self‑motivated with a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. Comfortable in demanding environments.
- Working Style: Proven ability to work in a collaborative, cross‑functional environment while maintaining individual accountability. Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple parallel NPI programs. Excellent troubleshooting mindset — persistent in finding root causes. Comfortable challenging design decisions when manufacturing concerns arise. Thrives in ambiguity and rapidly changing priorities.
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.
The anticipated base pay range for this position is: $109,000.00 to $154,280.00.
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
- 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)).
- employees are 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
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.
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