Senior Robotic Software Engineer

Senior Robotic Software Engineer – Johnson & Johnson Med Tech

Location:

Santa Clara, California, United States.

Job Function: R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function:
Robotics

Job Category:
Scientific/Technology

Robotics & Digital Solutions, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, is recruiting for a Senior Robotic Software Engineer. This position is located in Santa Clara, CA. At J&J Robotics we're changing the trajectory of health for humanity, using robotics to enhance healthcare providers’ abilities and improve patients’ diagnoses, treatments, and recovery times. 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:
Flexible Robotics (MONARCH®), Surgical Robotics (OTTAVA™), and Digital Solutions. Join our collaborative, rapidly growing teams in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cincinnati, and Seattle. You’ll collaborate on breakthrough medical technologies that unite multiple subject areas to build a connected digital ecosystem that advances medical professionals’ skills and improves patient outcomes.

• Develop production‑grade C++ software for robotic control and surgical workflows.
• Design and implement efficient algorithms (kinematics, dynamics, motion planning).
• Contribute to software architecture, infrastructure, and reusable frameworks.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (systems, software, hardware, clinical, quality, etc.).
• Support regulatory documentation and validation (e.g., FDA 510(k), risk analysis).
• Lead code reviews, testing strategies, and continuous integration efforts.
• Prototype and validate novel robotic features and surgical instrument behaviors.

• A B.S. degree in a technical discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Computer Engineering, EE, ME, or equivalent) combined with 6 years of relevant post‑academic experience.
• A M.S. degree in a technical discipline combined with 4 years of relevant post‑academic experience.
• A Ph.D. in a technical discipline combined with 2 years of relevant post‑academic experience.

• Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++14/17/20), Python, and scripting tools (e.g., Bash). Experience must be in a combination hardware/software products.
• Solid experience working in all aspects of software development from concept and requirements through development, testing, traceability, release, and maintenance.
• Experience with real‑time operating systems (QNX, RT Linux) in safety‑critical systems.
• Good understanding and proficiency with multi‑threaded applications.
• Proven ability to work in agile, collaborative environments and take ownership.
• Experience driving architectural reviews and advocating for long‑term software quality and maintainability.
• Proven ability to take ownership of tasks and proactively propose improvements to a large codebase.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Ability and willingness to be based in Santa Clara, CA and travel up to 5% domestic and international.
• Experience in regulated industries (medical devices, aerospace, automotive) is preferred.
• Advanced degree in Robotics, CS, EE, ME, or related field is preferred.
• Good understanding of robotics fundamentals is heavily preferred but not absolutely necessary.
• Hands‑on experience with surgical robotics or complex electromechanical systems is preferred.
• Practical knowledge of linear algebra, robotics, control theory, and applied mathematics is preferred.
• Understanding of CI/CD tools and build systems is preferred.
• Familiarity with Rust or other modern programming languages is a huge plus.
• Proficiency in LLMs and ML techniques to enable innovation in advanced projects is preferred.

Base pay: $121,000 – $194,350 (Bay Area – California).

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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 , internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.