Senior Distinguished Scientist, Robotics & Autonomous Discovery

Senior Distinguished Scientist, Robotics & Autonomous Discovery

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine R&D is seeking a Senior Distinguished Scientist, Robotics & Autonomous Discovery to help define, build, and deploy the automation platforms that enable autonomous and AI-enabled drug discovery. The primary location for this role is Spring House, PA. Remote work options in the US may be considered on a case-by-case basis and if approved by the Company.

An internal pre-identified candidate for consideration has been identified. However, all applications will be considered.

This senior technical leadership role sits at the intersection of robotics, laboratory automation, instrumentation, software integration, artificial intelligence, and discovery science. The successful candidate will serve as a technical authority and hands-on innovation leader for advanced automation systems that accelerate Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycles across small molecule and biologic discovery.

The role is accountable for translating discovery automation priorities into technical architecture, engineering design, proof-of-principle execution, integration standards, and scalable platform implementation. The leader will partner closely with Discovery, In Silico Discovery, data science, engineering, quality, regulatory, EHS, and external innovation partners to deliver reliable, compliant, and operationally ready automation capabilities.

This is an opportunity to shape a new generation of autonomous discovery capabilities at enterprise scale. The leader in this role will help build robotics and automation platforms that improve the speed, quality, reproducibility, and learning velocity of therapeutic discovery. The work will connect physical laboratory systems with advanced computational and AI methods to create more integrated, data-rich, and scalable discovery workflows.

• Serve as the senior technical authority for design, development, qualification, and deployment of advanced laboratory automation and self-driving laboratory capabilities within Discovery.
• Architect integrated automation ecosystems spanning robotic liquid handling, high-throughput synthesis and screening instrumentation, automated sample management, inline analytics, software interfaces, and hardware control systems.
• Integrate agentic AI, machine learning, and closed-loop control strategies with physical automation hardware to enable autonomous experimental execution and iterative DMTA cycle optimization.
• Own the technical architecture and platform roadmap for robotics and autonomous discovery, including engineering specifications, integration standards, platform sequencing, implementation readiness, and long-term scalability.
• Lead automation programs from concept and proof-of-principle validation through industrial-scale implementation, ensuring reliability, compliance, serviceability, and operational adoption.
• Establish and guide proof-of-principle laboratory efforts to de-risk novel automation technologies, validate integration concepts, and accelerate transition into production discovery workflows.
• Serve as a senior technical evaluator for external technologies, vendors, academic collaborators, and innovation partners to inform build, buy, and partner decisions.
• Provide expert troubleshooting and technical leadership for complex automation, equipment, process, and system-integration challenges.
• Mentor multidisciplinary teams across a matrixed organization and foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, disciplined execution, and delivery accountability.
• Represent J&J automation innovation capabilities in external scientific forums, industry consortia, publications, patents, and regulatory or technical engagements as appropriate.

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 20 years of progressive industrial experience in technology development, automation, engineering, advanced manufacturing, discovery operations, or related fields.
• Demonstrated track record leading end-to-end development, qualification, commercialization, and deployment of advanced automation systems in industrial, regulated, discovery, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or related environments.
• Deep expertise in automation hardware design and integration, including robotic platforms, precision motion systems, mechatronic design, sensor and actuator integration, instrumentation, and system controls.
• Experience translating scientific and engineering principles into robust, scalable, deployable automation platforms.
• Proven ability to lead large, matrixed, cross-functional teams through complex, multi-year technology programs with significant organizational impact.
• Experience with equipment design controls, lifecycle management, process validation, system qualification, or equivalent regulated…