Principal Automation​/Robotics Engineer, Cell Therapy

Job Function

R&D Product Development

Robotics

Scientific/Technology

Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

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 Med Tech, 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.

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science‑based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow. Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

We are on a mission to transform autologous CAR‑T cell‑therapy manufacturing with pioneering automation. As a Principal Automation/Robotics Engineer, you will work under minimal supervision and lead portions of programs, projects, and processes. You will provide training and guidance to technical staff and act as a recognized domain expert in automation and robotics. You will establish operational plans and implement products, processes, and standards that have measurable impact on business results.

You will apply in-depth knowledge across multiple related fields to address complex problems and expand the application of automated solutions across development, manufacturing, and testing within Johnson & Johnson. You will shape technology strategy, drive enterprise‑level innovation, and influence organizational standards while maintaining GMP compliance and operational excellence.

• Lead concept, design, and deployment of sophisticated automated systems and robotic modules for CAR‑T manufacturing and enterprise workflows (including development, testing, and manufacturing) under GMP.
• Author, define and approve system architectures, user requirements, and design documentation (URS, PFD, FDS, FMEA, DHF, traceability matrices).
• Initiate and be responsible for prototype development to assess feasibility and performance.
• Own and lead qualification activities (FAT/SAT/PPQ) with strategic oversight for system qualification and validation, ensuring readiness for audits and regulatory inspections.

• Act as global system owner for multiple platforms.
• Apply in‑depth knowledge to proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Resolve highly complex technical issues across mechanical, software, vision, and control systems.
• Select and direct external vendors and integrators to evaluate, challenge, and implement pioneering technologies or upgrades.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and enterprise‑level technology upgrades that advance system reliability, safety, and efficiency.
• Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to maintain timelines and production continuity.

• Be responsible for operational support and compliance activities across multiple sites: monitor equipment performance, maintenance, repairs, and reliability issues.
• Implement predictive maintenance and advanced analytics tools to sustain performance.
• Ensure preparation and delivery of comprehensive documentation (SOPs, O&M manuals, reports).
• Lead compliance activities, audits, and regulatory inspections with minimal direction.

• Lead optimization of multi‑step production flows using advanced control systems, dynamic scheduling, and batch orchestration.
• Shape and lead technology roadmap and run strategic automation programs, ensuring scalability and standardization across global sites.
• Align automation strategies across QA, IT, OT, facilities, and manufacturing to ensure scalability and standardization.
• Champion adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, digital twins, and AI‑driven…